Grip - Fall 2012 by Venture Publishing

012 FALL 2

Transformation is exciting, challenging and totally worth it

Constant Distraction

Relationship Rescue

How can we hold on to the people who matter the most to us?

Technology, mental health and the grandmother rule

PLUS: “I’m thankful I changed my attitude towards treatment and accepted the help I was given”

Colleen Brown: Meet an Edmonton singer/songwriter working hard to live her dream PM #40020055

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1 Grip magazine is currently seeking writers, journalists, illustrators

and photographers between the ages of 13 and 18. Join the conversation and help Grip cover issues that are important to you. Send questions and samples to creative@griponlife.ca. You will be paid. Really. Not a lot, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still money.

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17 what’s inside

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

The Change Issue

Life is full of transitions. Such constant movement – from one grade to another, from one relationship to the next – is exciting, but also challenging. This issue of Grip takes a closer look at how we deal with change, whether it’s a subtle shift in our thinking or a major alteration to our circumstances. How do the many changes we experience transform us? Spilling My Guts Negative preconceptions kept a teen from seeing a psychiatrist, but when he ﬁnally changed his attitude towards treatment, his life transformed too BY STEPHEN GUST

Positive Transformations What is resiliency and why does this quality matter? BY VANESSA STEWART

Changed Attitudes Society’s views on mental illness have shifted in recent decades for the better, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement BY CHRISTINE GREEN

Treatment Transitions A teen shares her challenging journey through treatment, where she learned it’s OK to make mistakes and gained strength from the people on the sidelines cheering her on BY FATIMA CARTON

It Takes Two Relationships are integral to our lives, but not always easy. As connections come and go and constantly change, how can we hold on to the people who matter the most to us? BY JENA TANG

Constant Distraction The technology that surrounds us is portable, accelerated and pervasive. Do these tweets, texts, emails and posts also transform how we think and feel? BY ZOSIA PRUS-CZARNECKA

Quiz: How do you deal with change? Everyone reacts to change in a different way. Is there room for improvement in your reaction? BY ANN LEE

Debate: Social media’s impact Is the overall impact of social media on teens more positive than negative? BY ANN LEE AND CODY POWERS

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18 20 22 24 26 28 31 32

A message from a new Grip contributor, as well as introductions to three other teens from across the province

It Happens Fall fun; A new state of mind; How to play safe; Last-minute breakfast ideas; An interview with a team of tweens Plus! Music, book and video game reviews

Off the Wall Quirky links you don’t want to miss

Help Wanted Need some advice? Just ask

COVER ILLUSTRATION: KATHRYN MACNAUGHTON

Fan Fare Learn how Edmonton-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Colleen Brown is working hard to live her dream BY JESSICA HIGHSTEAD

Missed Connections A fear of being judged and evaluated by others during social situations leaves some teens at home. What is social phobia and what can be done about it? BY IRTIZA OYON

Welcome Back Grip’s ofﬁcial back-toschool survival guide BY EVAN TRAN

42 44

Time to Talk A new program addresses the isolation young people struggling with suicidal thoughts face, by making sure they have someone to turn to

This is … Dustin Rider From fighting wildfires as a member of his town’s volunteer fire department to tutoring kids in his community, this active teen doesn’t let his physical disability get in the way of helping others BY MATT HIRJI

Portfolio Creativity comes from all corners of this province. Check out art, photography and words submitted by teens across Alberta

Dodge Sonny proves his skills as a big brother yet again

Last Word Satirical “tips” to get you through the school year BY CODY POWERS

BY MATT HIRJI

Good For You The link between physical activity and mental health provides yet another reason to get moving BY J. L. TRAN

Find Grip on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/GripMag griponlife.ca grip onlife.ca

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04 From a Grip Contributor

his fall, if you know even one person who is not experiencing change in his or her life, I would love to meet them. If anyone can show me how to keep my life, and everything in it, stable, then I would be right on board. While it’s impossible to prevent change in life, we can, however, learn to manage the stresses that accompany change. But perhaps this is too melodramatic – change is not necessarily always for the worse, and more often than not, frightening changes end up bringing exciting opportunities. The issue of Grip – the change issue – tackles all of these aspects of change, from the celebration of welcome transformations to being better equipped for looming challenges. Change often brings with it transformation, which seems like a heavier word than it truly is. A transformation is not some magical phenomenon reserved for the princesses in Disney movies. It includes the routine transitions in our lives from one grade to the next, one school to the next, one relationship to the next, and even the ordinary and mundane – our interests change as our tastes mature, for example. Moreover, changing circumstances change our mental health, and changing treatments change our attitudes (you can read about my struggle with preconceptions of psychiatric help on page 18). When all this change can seem overwhelming, inside this issue of Grip you’ll find help from other teens who have gone through similar experiences. I was introduced to Grip in Grade 7 by the English teachers who ran our school’s writers’ club. As an aspiring writer and poet, I was particularly interested in Grip’s Portfolio section (head to page 48 where you can check out the work of some very talented teenage photographers, poets, writers and artists). I have long been intrigued by the fact that the entire magazine is written by students like you and me. Now, going into Grade 12, I finally built up the courage to get involved. (You can too by emailing creative@ griponlife.ca.) The most refreshing thing about Grip is the content. Most other teen publications have a spotlight on celebrity gossip and the latest fashion trends. Not Grip. I think you’ll find, as I always have, that Grip offers a haven for teens who want to talk about what truly matters: the relevant issues in their changing lives. Stephen Gust

GRIPMagazine

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Contributors Fall 2012 | Volume 6, No. 2 PUBLISHER

Ruth Kelly

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Joyce Byrne | comments@griponlife.ca EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Beth Evans

MANAGING EDITOR

Cailynn Klingbeil | creative@griponlife.ca ASSISTANT EDITOR

Michelle Lindstrom | creative@griponlife.ca EDITORIAL ADVISORS

Shiela Bradley, Claudia Canales, Nancy Corrigan, Laura Crawford, Catherine Davis, Dianne Drummond, Beth Evans, Sarah Halton, Margo Husby, Tamara McCormick, Jeff Moat, Jessica Moorman, Marisa Murray, Jennifer Munoz, Taryn Pawlivsky, Mike Pietrus, Dr. Michael Rich, Denise Salanski, Tanya Spencer, Brett Thompson, Adriana Tullust, Erin Walton ART DIRECTOR

Charles Burke

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Andrea deBoer

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR

Hey! I’m Irtiza Oyon, recent graduate of an Edmonton high school and entering the University of Alberta as a sciences student this fall. A bit about myself – I love sampling new dishes, leather-bound classics, sleeping after an exhausting hike, obscure bands, and fresh oil paint with a sanded canvas. I can often be found in a library, either reading, studying, sleeping, or mindlessly playing online Tetris. You can read my story about social phobia on page 40.

Colin Spence

Joanna Tran is from Edmonton and is a 17-year-old student completing her ﬁnal year of high school. She loves to spend time hanging out with her friends and listening to music. Joanna is an avid fan of basketball and track. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career that will allow her to travel the world. Read her interview on page 46 with two ﬁtness experts who discuss the connection between physical activity and mental health.

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Betty Smith

PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN

Brent Felzien

DISTRIBUTION

Jennifer King | getgrip@griponlife.ca CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Silva Baiton, Analyn Bell, Fatima Carton, Tiffany Diack, Cheyenne Gibbons, Christine Green, Stephen Gust, Jessica Highstead, Matt Hirji, Maria Milanowski, Gabrielle McKinley, Irtiza Oyon, Cody Powers, Evan Propp, Zosia Prus-Czarnecka, Jasmine Schnurer, Vanessa Stewart, Jena Tang, Evan Tran, J.L. Tran, Marcelle Trinkaus, Luna Wang CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

Stephen Dahl, Ray Davidson, Christy Dean, Javeria Farrukh, Eric Gravel, Kathryn MacNaughton, Holly Midkiff, Mahmuda Sheikh, Masuma Sheikh, Reshma Sirajee Grip is published by Venture Publishing Inc. for Alberta Health Services

The content of this magazine is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultations with your doctor or to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any personal medical and health questions that you may have. Printed in Canada by Transcontinental LGM Graphics Canadian Publications Mail Agreement #40020055 Contents copyright 2012 by Alberta Health Services. Content may not be reprinted or reproduced without written permission from Alberta Health Services.

Venture Publishing Inc. 10259-105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1E3 Tel: 780-990-0839 | Fax: 780-425-4921 | Toll-free: 1-866-227-4276 circulation@venturepublishing.ca The views expressed in Grip are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Alberta Health Services or Venture Publishing

Self proclaimed geek, witch, and the doctor’s next companion, Jessica Highstead is an energetic 15-year-old girl. Between reading, writing (check out her interview with Colleen Brown on page 34) and an excessive amount of time saved just for sarcasm, she likes to work on acting, which is her number one passion. If she can’t be found doing any of those activities, Jessica is sure to be developing a new obsession for the latest sci-ﬁ or attending her amazing high school in Calgary. griponlife.ca

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it HAPPENS | News

News

FALL FUN Summer is officially over, which likely means no more hanging with friends until midnight or lazy days in the sun. But you don’t have to go into hibernation just because winter is coming. Instead, stay active this fall, whether that means getting involved in sports teams at your school or trying a new activity in the evenings. Here are my suggestions for activities and sports to consider – nothing too out of the ordinary – so go ahead and try out for your school’s team, or join in these activities on your own in your community.

SWIMMING Just because summer is over doesn’t mean swimming is. While the water outside may be cold, the water inside is plenty warm. Many places offer swimming, whether on a team at school or in a public swimming pool by yourself, so grab your bathing suit and dive on in.

By Gabrielle McKinley

BASKETBALL Basketball is a very popular game, either playing it on your own or on a team. It is a fast action game with tons of running and jumping, and provides a good physical workout.

BOWLING Bowling has been around for 7,000 years, and while it may sound dorky, bowling is a really fun sport. Bowling is such an easy and simple game and it improves balance, coordination and motor skills. A lot of schools don’t offer bowling teams, but that shouldn’t stop you from searching and joining your local team.

BADMINTON It’s a well-known fact that indulging in aerobic sports like badminton gives multiple health benefits and promotes longevity. Many schools have badminton teams, and it’s not only a great workout, it also improves hand-eye coordination.

BOXING Are you looking for a high intensity workout? Then boxing is great for you. Boxing has become a popular sport for many, and a lot of schools offer boxing teams, while gyms also hold boxing classes.

BASEBALL Looking for a more physically active game? Why not try baseball? A combination of running and hand-eye coordination is a perfect workout for the fall. Many schools offer baseball teams, so just grab your bat and try out.

GRIPMagazine

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MY DUSTY BOOKSHELF Of Mice and Men By John Steinbeck

Reviewed by Ann Lee Of Mice and Men tells the story of two friends with very different personalities. George Milton has to look after his mentally challenged friend, Lennie Small, during the Great Depression. The two hardworking men are on a quest to live their dream, which is to buy a small farm, “live offa the fatta the lan” and be self-employed. While they work to be able to afford this dream, George and Lennie experience many injustices in their world. The United States during the depression of the 1930s, we learn, is not a hopeful place for working-class Americans. Still, the friendship between George and Lennie is strong, and in a world full of people who are alone the brotherhood shared by these two characters is central to the story. It all begins when responsible, quickwitted George travels with his simple and strong companion Lennie to a ranch in Soledad, California. The pair had been chased out of their previous source of employment because Lennie, who loves to stroke soft materials, was accused of attempted rape when he patted a young lady’s dress.

As the two friends walked towards their new home, George instructs his tall pal, who had become his ward, to stay silent while their future boss interviews them. Lennie is also instructed to meet at a designated rendezvous if anything goes wrong. Once the duo arrives at their destination they encounter many different characters. Some are kind, honest working men, and some are not so nice and George is wary of them. While the two migratory ranch hands are employed at the workplace, they try to keep their noses clean, but trouble seeks them out. An example of this would be when the boss’s son, Curley, attacks gentle giant Lennie, who catches his fist and accidentally crushes it. In the book’s shocking ending, we learn that not knowing his own strength is Lennie’s undoing. Grade: B- Readers of this story will fall in love with Lennie because of his incorruptibility. This book also deals with deeper themes and illustrates how life is tragic and not always fair. I recommend this novella for more mature audiences that like tragic tales of friendship.

PLAY SAFE

In Alberta, sport-related injuries are the leading cause of injury emergency department visits for youth ages 15 to 19. Physical activity is good for us, but it’s also important to know about injury prevention, which means avoiding certain risks while accepting others when we participate in physical activities. Recognizing and managing risks helps us make healthy choices. One way we can do this is through a smart risk approach. While not all risks can be eliminated, most can be managed. The smart risk approach goes like this: • Look First: think ahead. Understand the risks of an activity and make a plan to manage them. • Wear the Gear: use protective equipment to reduce the risk of suffering an injury. • Get Trained: effective training and practice can reduce the risk of injury. • Buckle Up: wear a seat belt whenever you are in a vehicle. • Drive Sober: be fully in control of your mind and body when you’re behind the wheel of any vehicle. • Seek Help: look for support when you or someone you know needs it.

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News

it HAPPENS | News

Interview with the Tweens Team By Cheyenne Gibbons

In Edmonton, there is a group of kids called the Tweens Team. The group is run by Hannah Wong, a social worker with the Neighbourhood Empowerment Team, Constable Jerrid Maze with the Edmonton Police Service, and several parent helpers. The Neighbourhood Empowerment Team is dedicated to crime prevention in communities and operates as a partnership between four Edmonton organizations (The City of Edmonton, Edmonton Police Service, The Family Centre and United Way of the Alberta Capital Region). The Tweens Team consists of 12 children ages nine to 12 who are passionate about putting an end to bullying and making their community a safer and more caring place. Last July, Edmonton’s mayor declared July 16 as Tweens Against Bullying Day, thanks to the efforts of the group to organize a Tweens Against Bullying Festival. Grip’s Cheyenne Gibbons interviewed members of the Tweens Team, who just finished organizing and running the 2012 festival.

Q: Why is it so important for people to learn about bullying? A: It is important for people to learn about bullying because they can stop it. We make the group more aware so they won’t bully anymore or at all and so that they know it is bad.

Q: Has the Tweens Team helped you or someone you know with bullying?

A: Yes, it helped because we have been given skills to handle bullying and to try to stop it. Bullies bully for power. Who can stop bullying? We can!

Q: What can kids do if they are bullied? A: Do the TWIST. It stands for: tell them to stop, walk away, ignore, stay away, and tell a trusted adult.

Q: What did you present last year and what did you want to Q: How did the Tweens Team get started? A: The Tweens Team got started because people wanted to

present this year at the Tweens Against Bullying Festival?

A: We have had skits, songs, face painting, fun games, and free

stop bullying, and they wanted to build off of Bully Busters (an in-school program). They are a group of passionate tweens.

Q: Why is it important for Hannah to be involved in the Tweens Team?

information stands.

Q: Does bullying only affect children? A: No. It also affects parents, animals, property, teenagers, seniors and even the earth.

A: Hannah stayed involved because she started it, she gives us good advice, the group could not handle themselves without her, she has more knowledge and she offers guidance.

START YOUR DAY OFF RIGHT

No time for breakfast? Here are some quick breakfast ideas, developed by registered dietitians with Alberta Health Services. • whole grain toast, bagel or English muffin topped with peanut butter and sliced bananas • whole grain waffle or pancake topped with fruit and low fat yogurt • oatmeal muffin, low fat yogurt and an apple • whole wheat crackers, low fat cheese and ½ cup of fruit juice • low-fat cereal bar and a fruit smoothie • unsalted nuts, fruit and one cup of low fat milk • whole grain hot or cold cereal with fruit and one cup of low fat milk

GRIPMagazine GRIPMagazine

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A NEW STATE OF MIND Partners for Mental Health is a new national charity creating a social movement to change the way people think about and behave toward mental health. “We’re in place to create a new state of mind in Canada,” says Jeff Moat, president of Partners for Mental Health. “We want to help Canadians see that the situation today around mental health and mental illness is far from acceptable.” The organization is shining light on mental health issues – such as the stigma and shame of a diagnosis and the fact that many people with mental illness do not seek treatment or support –through partnerships and public engagement. It’s through redefining current norms, says Moat, that people living with mental health issues can receive the support and treatment they need, when they need it. “Too many Canadians see mental health as someone else’s issue. When you bring up the subject of mental health, because of stigma, people tend to shy away from it. But one in five people will experience a mental health problem in a given year, so if you do the math, it’s in all our families and in our schools and in society. Rather than burying our head in the sand we have to pay more attention to it,” Moat says. Partners for Mental Health launched its first campaign, called “Not Myself Today,” in April. “It was created to mobilize Canadians from coast to coast to join this social movement with the aim of transforming the way we think about and act toward and support mental health,” Moat says. The campaign (at www.notmyselftoday.ca) asked people to imagine what it is like to not feel like yourself for one day, and for many days – as that’s what people with a mental illness experience. The website also encourages people to share their stories, map their moods and learn more about what they can do right now. A central part of the campaign was an online pledge that garnered more than

28,000 signatures from people across the country, as well as a day of action that came at the end of the campaign. Schools and workplaces across the country joined in to learn more about mental health issues and how to transform the way we think and act toward mental health. “It’s our hope that Canadians, through this campaign and other campaigns, will begin to think about their own mental health and the mental health of others, and think about the serious gaps that exist today in treatment and support. We need to rally together to show compassion and solidarity for those living with mental illness,” Moat says. Moat says that across Canada, seven million people will experience a mental health issue this year, but only a third of those that live with mental illness are likely to seek and receive the services they need. He also notes that 70 per cent of adult mental illness has its onset in one’s teenage years, which makes teens an important group to engage in the organization’s work. This fall Partners for Mental Health will launch a campaign that will engage thousands of Canadian teens to “out” the issues that currently exist around mental health and empower them to become more informed and involved in transforming it. “We have developed a systemic campaign that challenges teens to see that the current societal norms and behaviours encourage and promote unhealthy responses to mental health. They can be the generation to change this,” Moat says. Learn more at www.partnersformh.ca

DID YOU KNOW? • Alberta, compared to other provinces, has the highest suicide rate among young people ages 15 to 24. It’s a startling statistic, but there are programs and supports that exist to help those in need. Learn about the work of the Community Helpers Program, a strategy of community-supported healing, on page 44. The program shows that it’s OK to ask for help; it starts to normalize the fact that everybody struggles. • Sixty minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity is the recommended daily amount. How can you fit it into your schedule between studying and working and trying to maintain a social life? The important thing is to make physical activity part of your everyday living, say two fitness experts on page 46. • Change comes into our lives in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Tamara McCormick, a registered psychologist who works in Edmonton as a care manager at an addictions and mental health unit, shares some advice on dealing with the bigger changes that may come our way. “Take time to do things in your own way, but remember to try and think positive. Some experiences that challenge us shape us and take our lives in a new and exciting direction that we never could have planned. Sometimes we have to convince ourselves of this for a while and realize that the glass might just be half full, not half empty.” Learn more on page 16.

griponlife.ca

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it HAPPENS | Reviews

Rev

Top picks for fall

Gone, Gone, Gone By Hannah Moskowitz REVIEWED BY IRTIZA OYON

Thirteen months after 9/11, 15-year-old Craig wakes up to find that his assortment of five cats, four dogs, three rabbits, a bird and a guinea pig, have all escaped. Thus begins the novel, and his frantic search, because Craig’s pets are his sanity. Ever since Craig’s ex-boyfriend developed schizophrenia, stemming from his father’s death during 9/11, Craig began hoarding animals. It was as though the more he could care for the closer he would be to fixing his lifelong friend and first boyfriend, Cody. Joining Craig’s animal search is Lio, also a 15-year-old, also with some baggage. His back-story? Lio and his twin brother Theodore had leukemia at the age of five. Lio survived, but Theodore didn’t – something Lio can’t bring himself to accept, even after 10 years. Ever since Craig saw Lio, a fragile boy with chopped-up hair, he was filled with that familiar urge: to fix. To fix Lio, hear him talk, and maybe then, to kiss him. But with Cody in his past, how can Craig love again? Meanwhile, Lio finds that he wants to talk with Craig. He wants to voice his opinions without

Theodore, to show that “cancer kid” doesn’t define him, nor excuse his behaviour, and to prove that he’s stronger than Craig believes. Every line of Gone, Gone, Gone makes you pause and digest. The characters break stereotypes, revealing raw emotions. This novel is simultaneously a powerful account of two teens dealing with trauma and a book of hope, as the characters deal with their pasts and with each other. Masterfully, Hannah Moskowitz delves into coming to terms with one’s homosexuality, mental illness in the family, 9/11 and terminal illness through two flawed characters you cannot help but love. Her dry wit and touch of romance also keep the reader hooked. This isn’t a novel you can pace yourself with. You begin with mild curiosity mid-afternoon only to finish bleary-eyed, drying tears from laughing and crying, early the next morning. And afterwards, everything seems slightly different – because this is one of those novels that will change you. Grade: A+ This novel makes you laugh, squeal, cry, grind your teeth and finally, open your mind.

The Fault in Our Stars By John Green REVIEWED BY MARIA MILANOWSKI

Hazel Grace Lancaster is, for all intents and purposes, an attractive, popular and intelligent 16-year-old. Unfortunately, she also happens to be dying. Since being diagnosed with terminal thyroid cancer at the age of 13, Hazel has endured so many procedures, surgeries and near-death experiences that only vestiges of her previous life remain. Withdrawn from school, and partially immobilized by her fluidfilled lungs, Hazel spends her time convincing her loving parents that she is not depressed, rereading her favourite novel (An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten), and occasionally attending the depressing Cancer Kid Support

Group until, miraculously, she is introduced to Augustus Waters. Cheeky, thoughtful and handsome from head to prosthetic foot, Augustus becomes an unexpected confidant in the struggles of youth and illness. Armed with his “free wish” cancer perk, he presents Hazel with the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam, meet the elusive Peter Van Houten, and find the answer to a question that plagues them both: What happens to the characters of An Imperial Affliction after the protagonist – also a teenage cancer patient – dies mid-sentence? The two also attempt to answer difficult questions about their own lives, like why the inevitability of loss doesn’t stop love, and how love can be significant, no matter how “teenage” or brief. The Fault in Our Stars is a heartbreaking and remarkably well-written story, told with beautiful, believable characters that offer insight into what it means to be a teenager, to have family, to be in love, and most importantly, to be human. John Green showcases the witty immaturity and unexpected wisdom of a teenager. Hazel’s commentary is funny and genuine, allowing readers to relate to her life regardless of gender or age. Grade: A+ The best of John Green so far, which is no small feat after novels such as Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns. Readers will be hooked from the very beginning, but are warned to keep some tissues handy. A must-read!

GRIPMagazine

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eviews Summer is over and your stack of textbooks is growing. But if you can squeeze in these A+ books reviewed by Grip’s team, you will not be disappointed

The Headmaster’s Wager By Vincent Lam REVIEWED BY ZOSIA PRUS-CZARNECKA

Amidst the chaos of the Vietnam War, Percival Chen, the headmaster of the elite English Academy in Saigon, lives a wealthy life. He allows himself the luxury of gambling, playing the game of Mahjong and often ends the night by taking an attractive girl home. Once in a while, his life is disrupted by a new regulation that he must abide to (such as instructing Vietnamese at his school) unless he pays his way out of it with the help of his friend Mak. However, Percival’s life takes a turn when his son, Dai Jai, gets arrested for expressing “unacceptable” political views. Will he manage to bring his son back home? And will Saigon be the safest place for his son? The Vietnam War is not a topic explored in many YA novels. The Headmaster’s Wager follows a story inspired by Lam’s own family history and is laced with just enough historical information to inform and create a vivid image of the setting, however, not so much so as to distract or bore. It examines the interplaying roles of love, loyalty, betrayal, deception and grief. Although the novel focuses on the story of Chen, it depicts the atmosphere of the time – times of corruption

and when one’s social status is enough to bribe and wriggle out of situations. The topic of this book is not a light-hearted one and includes a lot of mature content. While Lam only provides the necessary amount of detail to get his message across, certain scenes are described more vividly than others and may not be suitable for all audiences. A certain level of maturity is necessary to fully appreciate the book and understand its context. Therefore, I recommend the book for teens in Grade 10 and up. Books are often enjoyable because we ﬁnd a way to connect to the characters. In this novel, that proves difﬁcult. The characters are distant and often frustrating because of their values or the way in which they prioritize or deal with situations. Still, they are genuinely crafted and I found myself unable to detach myself from them. Reading on was motivated not only by a desire to know how the story ends but to further understand the thinking behind characters’ actions. Grade: A+ Despite its mature content, the novel beautifully captures the lesser known history of the time and interlaces it with a twisted story of a father and son.

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business By Charles Duhigg

Duhigg is an award-winning New York Times writer who expertly takes readers through various scientiﬁc discoveries that explain why habits exist and how we can change them. While our habits at times seem ingrained, Duhigg shows that habits are actually easily inﬂuenced – a habit is essentially an equation written on the blackboard of the brain, with each habit loop containing a cue, routine and reward. The book’s thesis is transformative: the key to exercising regularly, becoming more productive and being successful at work comes down to understanding how habits work. Duhigg is able to condense vast amounts of information into compelling stories (fans of Malcolm Gladwell will also be fans of Duhigg’s) and in the process, shows us where the potential for transformation lies in our lives. Still, don’t mistake this for a self-help book. The Power of Habit includes, as the title suggests, examples from both business and life. While young readers may not have much experience in business environments, there is still a lot of interesting information to gain from these case studies. The examples Duhigg explores are varied, from how habits were crucial to the success of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz to a look inside hospitals, churches and locker rooms to see how habits mean the difference between success and failure. Grade: A+ This book excites and engages readers as they follow Duhigg’s examples from many facets of life, in the process learning how understanding habits can transform businesses, communities and lives.

REVIEWED BY GRIP STAFF

Habits shape every aspect of our lives, writes Charles Duhigg, as he walks us through various examples that show how a change in patterns can be transformative. A young woman quits smoking, for example, runs a marathon and gets a promotion at work. When neurologists looked at the patterns inside her brain, they discovered the patterns had fundamentally changed. Another example is the product Febreze, which marketers at Procter & Gamble tried desperately to sell. When marketers discovered patterns in videos and interviews with people cleaning their homes, they shifted the product’s advertising and Febreze went from a ﬂop to a huge success.

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Rev

it HAPPENS | Reviews

Cool beats to start your school year Need some inspiration to finish that 2,000-word essay? Here are some tunes that just might help Vows By Kimbra REVIEWED BY STEPHEN GUST

If you are already familiar with Kimbra, it is probably because you have heard the up-and-coming Kiwi artist’s duet with Belgian-Australian artist Gotye, “Somebody I Used to Know.” While the best-selling single has raised Kimbra’s proﬁle, her debut work, Vows, is just as impressive. The solo departure, which was released in New Zealand in August 2011 and in the U.S. and Canada this May, showcases Kimbra’s talent as a composer, vocalist and lyricist. Kimbra’s style is nothing if not eclectic. She combines elements of 1950s jazz, soul and alternative with an indie approach to instrumentation to yield a refreshing brand of pop music. Her versatility is evident as she moves seamlessly from the 1930s smoky jazz and suede bass of “Good Intent” to the bubblegum pop that begs you to sing along with “Cameo Lover” where Pizzicato strings and treble piano have never felt so at home. Then there’s the wailing brass and pure funk of “Call Me” (available as a bonus track on iTunes), which would make James Brown proud. The indie-pop opener “Settle Down” is reminiscent of Björk’s avant-garde style. Kimbra is adept at whatever style she chooses to tackle in her songs. The young talent also strays from the four-chord pop stereotype, as she writes

and arranges all of her own music, which is full of experimental chords. This sense of experimentation ﬁnds itself woven into the singer’s vocals as well; treating her voice as an instrument, she explores a range of vocal tones to sculpt the atmosphere she desires. The jazz inﬂuence on Kimbra as a musician is clear, as each live rendition of her own music is different and she is a capable improviser – occasionally she will add free scatting into her tunes. Her live performances involve sampling and looping her voice from scratch in front of the audience, improvising as she goes. And this innate ability to arrange music shines through on her record. It’s high time someone brought intelligence back into pop, and Kimbra is perfect for the job. Grade: A Vows promises to be worth your time to “Settle Down” for a listen. Kimbra’s debut album displays an ambitious array of styles to call her own, yet you’ll feel that there is no need for her to narrow down her sound anytime soon.

Blown Away By Carrie Underwood REVIEWED BY TIFFANY DIACK

Blown Away displays so much raw emotion and amazing singing talent that deﬁne who Carrie Underwood is. The album’s tracks have an acoustic feel with a little base to bring out the vibe of the songs. This is Underwood’s fourth album, and it was released on May 1, 2012. It has two hit singles that listeners may already be familiar with: “Blown Away” and “Good Girl”. The song “Good Girl” is a standout, bringing back that edgy feel we saw last in “Before He Cheats” to showcase Underwood’s incredible vocal ability. A storm ﬁlls the album cover’s background with Underwood dressed in a high low hem formal dress in the fore-

front. (She’s known for dressing in formal dresses at every chance she gets, why would the album cover be any different?) Underwood wrote more than half of the songs in Blown Away where slow ballads and fast-paced songs are featured, making an interesting mix within the playlist. This album would likely appeal to any Taylor Swift fan, as Swift and Underwood are similar in the sense that they both write their own songs and have a real personal country feel to their, often humorous, lyrics. Grade: A Underwood receives top marks for keeping country music alive, and for having amazing lyrics that don’t get overpowered by the song’s beat.

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eviews Here By Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros REVIEWED BY ANALYN BELL

Fans of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – a 12-piece American indie rock outﬁt – have waited close to three years for a new album. In the meantime, they’ve likely watched the band’s tours and performances closely, which include several television appearances and memorable live shows throughout the world (including last year’s Edmonton Folk Music Festival). Luckily, the wait is now over, with the May 2012 release of the muchanticipated Here. Front man Alex Ebert continues to draw on the inspiration of the musical communities of Southern California in the 1960s and early 1970s, creating captivating, bubbly and hippie-inspired tunes. There is genuine emotion in Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros albums and performances, and Here is no exception. This album, however, is more subdued than the 2009 release Up From Below, which included the well-known “Home” and “40 Day Dream.” Many songs on Here feature reﬂective, soul-searching chants with Ebert’s gentle, almost haunting voice. It’s a laid-back album, which at times can seem a little boring, especially compared with the band’s

Spanish Moss and Total Loss By Shout Out Out Out Out REVIEWED BY GRIP STAFF

Edmonton’s electro-rock ambassadors Shout Out Out Out Out recently released their third album, a nine-song collection with an exciting and energetic sound, as has come to be expected of the band. Shout Out Out Out Out are known for getting listeners clapping, jumping, dancing, moving, singing and – well, shouting out – at shows across Canada and the U.S. (When Grip writer Emma Frazier interviewed the band

earlier album. Still, it’s “let’s sit around the campfire” vibe is alluring, and Ebert’s ability to pull off a wide range of musical styles and sounds keeps the pace of the album moving. Here starts off with “Man on Fire”, which sets the mood and precedent for the album. There is one louder song, called “That’s What’s Up”, and even it still has a chill feel to it. There’s also a song, called “Fiya Wata”, which has a southern feel to it, with twangs mixed with piano and guitar. Still, quirky-hippie-folk-rock is what this band does best, and this album is no exception. Grade: A- Here is a strong album, one that keeps the band’s overall sound and feeling alive, but it is definitely more subdued than Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros’ first album.

in the Spring of 2011, band member Nik Kozub described the music as “analog synth-based electronic dance music with somewhat of a rock element if I had to describe our music with one word, well, I don’t think I could, frankly.”) The new album Spanish Moss and Total Loss is the first album in three years and it’s somewhat of a departure from the band’s previous work. The sound has been refined, with a wide range of tempos and styles ranging from punk to disco, classic house, cosmic synth music and more that feel subdued compared to the band’s previous albums. It may initially seem less fun than earlier efforts, but it’s also more interesting. The overall sound, however, is still energetic and exciting and will no doubt keep fans dancing. “Now That I’ve Given Up Hope” and “Total Loss” are among the energetic dance floor anthems, even if the titles aren’t exactly upbeat. The latest effort from this local talent is full of energy and makes you want to move. But there are songs that blend into each other with similar elements, and the autotuned lyrics throughout may leave some listeners wanting less manipulated vocals. Grade: A- Spanish Moss and Total Loss will put listeners in a good mood with its cheery, catchy tunes. While there is a bit of repetitiveness to the album, it will still get listeners dancing. griponlife.ca

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it HAPPENS | Reviews

The Gamer

Off th

Grip’s picks for gaming this fall Title: Final Fantasy XIII-2 Platform: Role Playing Game for Xbox 360 and PS3 Rating: T for Teen

REVIEWED BY: EVAN TRAN Final Fantasy games are something special, setting the benchmark for Role Playing Games (RPG) in the past. Released in February, Final Fantasy XIII-2 is the latest game to come out of the franchise. Taking place following the events of Final Fantasy XIII, developer Square Enix went back to the drawing board, addressing issues in the previous game. Side quests? Check. Nonlinear setting? Check. While FF-XIII strayed away from the staples of past Final Fantasy games, its sequel harkens back to something t more familiar to fans. This time around you play as Serah, who is trying to rescue her sister, FFXIII protagonist “Lightning”, with the help of a time traveller named Noel. As the story progresses, you learn that Lightning has been written out of history by an unknown force, leaving your characters to time travel, changing history in the process of finding her. It wouldn’t be a Final Fantasy game without beasts and battles, and Final Fantasy XIII’s “paradigm shift” mechanic returns as the core battle system, where players switch character classes on the fly to match the challenge. New mechanics have also been added to the gameplay, such as the ability to recruit defeated monsters to your party. Exploration through XIII-2’s world is slightly marred by the fact that the characters take a backseat to the setting of the game. You end up caring more about the world and its amazing locales than the characters as you play. Nonetheless, whatever problems Final Fantasy XIII had, XIII-2 takes things a step forward, fixing the mistakes of its predecessor, and ensuring a place as an enjoyable addition to the franchise. Grade: A Great gameplay mechanics and beautiful graphics make this an enjoyable addition to the Final Fantasy franchise. Recently they dropped the price to $20, this is a must have for any Japanese RPG fan!

Title: Battleship Platform: Wii, Nintendo DS, Playstation 3, Xbox 360 Rating: Everyone 10+

REVIEWED BY: CODY POWERS In Battleship, an unknown alien menace lurks deep within the earth’s waters, waiting for the ideal time to attack. When that attack happens, it’s up to you to channel your elite inner solider and battle the deadly extraterrestrial enemy. While Battleship, a game inspired by the Universal Pictures film of the same name, sounds exciting, it has nothing special to offer when compared to other strategy games out there. Battleship’s synopsis reads “Gear up for an exciting, action-packed first-person shooter and fight to defend mankind against an aquatic alien threat in Battleship. Step into the role of Cole Mathis, the U.S. Navy’s “boots on the ground,” and experience thrilling gameplay as you combat a deadly alien invasion in this game…”. But the game itself under-delivers. Instead, game players experience a bland adventure, one that has few, if any, remarkable features to it. Sure, the game has its moments of fun and challenge, but you won’t want to return again and again. It’s short and repetitive with no multiplayer option. There is a tactical element to the game, offered with the naval command part, and that’s enjoyable. But overall, Battleship falls short. While the game was released with the movie, the connection really doesn’t add anything to the game. Without seeing the film, some players may lose some context or meaning. In this case, the cross-marketing strategy falls short and the game just doesn’t match what else is on the market. Grade: C This game falls short in many areas. While it’s an interesting marketing strategy to pair a videogame with a movie, the game under-delivers and players will likely finish feeling disappointed.

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HELP wanTeD

Got a question that no one can answer, or that you’re too afraid to ask your parents, teacher or best friend? Send it to us. We guarantee anonymity, and we’re beyond embarrassment. We’ll find an expert to answer the most persistent question you have related to any topic: relationships, school, sexuality, puberty, drugs, love, life and the pursuit of happiness. So … what are you waiting for? Question: My grandfather passed away a few months ago. I was really close with him and have been upset since he passed. People keep telling me, “It gets easier with time.” But so far it has not. What can I do about my grief? To learn more about grief and what to do about it, Grip turned to Tamara McCormick, a registered psychologist who works in Edmonton as a care manager at an addictions and mental health unit. “When you’ve experienced a great personal loss it can come in waves. You can have good days and bad days,” McCormick says. “Grief is hard and it’s a process. The emotions of grief are allconsuming and they might include anger or guilt. It’s different for everyone.” McCormick says you may find it hard to remember things and have difficulty concentrating, so work on the basics, including getting enough sleep and eating well. “When and if you’re ready and comfortable to do so, talk to family, friends or a professional about your feelings,” she says. Bereavement groups, religious advisors, school counsellors or teachers can also help you with your loss. It’s important to remember the people around you mean well, says McCormick. They often don’t know what to say or how to help with your loss, but if they attempt to do something it’s best to appreciate the effort. McCormick’s final suggestions are to share memories of your grandfather, visit

his burial site and journal about the times you did share with him.

How can I help a friend who binge drinks? Whenever we go out, she drinks a lot in a short amount of time. She’s not fun to be around and I don’t think it’s healthy. “People drink for many reasons,” McCormick says. Some of those reasons include trying to relax, forget problems, mask feelings of shyness or to ﬁt in with others. Alcohol becomes troublesome when people begin to have alcohol-related problems from overuse, including physical, mental, educational, social, legal or family issues. Have you shared your feelings and concerns with your friend? McCormick says that an honest and open approach to this situation could be helpful. “It doesn’t mean that this would be an easy conversation and there’s no way of predicting how your friend might react, but through honest communication we often ﬁnd out additional information or develop a greater under-

standing of the problem,” she says. Seek more help if needed, such as letting an adult or parent know about the situation.You can support your friend by encouraging them to seek help from an addiction counsellor. Addicition Help Line: 1-866-332-2322

I recently moved to a new town, and it’s way harder than I thought it would be to make new friends and fit in. My parents think I’m not trying hard enough because my older sister loves it already. What can I do? “Where we live and who we interact with shapes our identity and who we are,” McCormick says. She notes that it can be difﬁcult when we don’t have a choice in decisions that are made, even if they impact us a great deal – as is the case here. “You now have to do your best to adapt, but adapting can be a process. The process is the piece that you can control.” She says to be mindful that everyone reacts to change in different ways. “Take time to do things in your own way, but remember to try and think positive. Some experiences that challenge us, shape us and take our lives in a new and exciting direction that we never could have planned,” McCormick says. “Sometimes we have to convince ourselves of this for a while and realize that the glass might just be half full, not half empty.”

Help Wanted is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultations with your doctor or to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any personal medical and health questions that you may have. E-mail helpwanted@griponlife.ca or mail Help Wanted, c/o Grip Magazine 10259-105 St., Edmonton, AB T5J 1E3

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THE CHANGE ISSUE Life is full of transitions. Such constant movement – from one grade to another, from one relationship to the next – is exciting, but also challenging. This issue of Grip takes a closer look at how we deal with change, whether it’s a subtle shift in our thinking or a major alteration to our circumstances. How do the many changes we experience transform us?

SPILLING MY GUTS

NEGATIVE PRECONCEPTIONS KEPT A TEEN FROM SEEING A PSYCHIATRIST, BUT WHEN HE FINALLY CHANGED HIS ATTITUDE TOWARDS TREATMENT, HIS LIFE TRANSFORMED TOO. BY STEPHEN GUST

POSITIVE TRANSFORMATIONS

WHAT IS RESILIENCY AND WHY DOES THIS QUALITY MATTER? BY VANESSA STEWART

CHANGED ATTITUDES

SOCIETY’S VIEWS ON MENTAL ILLNESS HAVE SHIFTED IN RECENT DECADES FOR THE BETTER, BUT THERE’S STILL PLENTY OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT BY CHRISTINE GREEN

IT TAKES TWO

RELATIONSHIPS ARE INTEGRAL TO OUR LIVES, BUT NOT ALWAYS EASY. AS CONNECTIONS COME AND GO AND CONSTANTLY CHANGE, HOW CAN WE HOLD ON TO THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER THE MOST TO US? BY JENA TANG

CONSTANT DISTRACTION

THE TECHNOLOGY THAT SURROUNDS US IS PORTABLE, ACCELERATED AND PERVASIVE. DO THESE TWEETS, TEXTS, EMAILS AND POSTS ALSO TRANSFORM HOW WE THINK AND FEEL? BY ZOSIA PRUS-CZARNECKA

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Spilling Negative preconceptions kept me from seeing a psychiatrist. But when I finally changed my attitude towards treatment, my life transformed too

t really did begin like any other day. My parents picked me up from junior high during a regular school day for a doctor’s appointment. I already had many doctors – my gastroenterologist, pediatrician, orthodontist, dentist, various surgeons – so this was not anything out of the ordinary. It was, however, typical that for routine checkups only my mother would accompany me; my father would not take time off work. Yet here were both of my parents taking me to the unspecified doctor. I knew something was different about this appointment. When we arrived at this new place, the child psychiatry waiting room, my first response was to berate my parents for bringing me here and for deceiving me. If I had picked up anything from TV and movies, it was that therapy was for people who were “nuts.” Being in this waiting room was both admitting and confirming my insanity. But I was too short-sighted then to see just how crucial a milestone this was for me. What followed was my second devastating diagnosis in six years: I had clinical anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD as it’s known. My first diagnosis, at the age of nine, was of Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation, lesions and/or strictures anywhere throughout the gastrointestinal tract. As the immune system attacks anywhere along the digestive tract, an array of painful symptoms exist. GRIPMagazine

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By Stephen Gust

Although Crohn’s is not a mental disorder, it is correlated with anxiety in ways that are still being researched. In fact, Crohn’s and anxiety are so intertwined that psychiatric help is made specifically available for kids with Crohn’s at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. Although it initially sounded hokey to me, the mind has incredible power over the body. This means stress can exacerbate physical symptoms, which is exactly what happened to me. I was a compulsive perfectionist at the top of my class. But this worrywart nature was beginning to unravel my health. Whenever I encountered stressful situations, such as final exams or piano recitals, I’d quickly fall into a Crohn’s flare-up with severe stomach pains, loss of appetite, extreme lethargy and general incapacitation. I was not a functional person. This battle with worry was mentally and physically exhausting. Yet, if you asked me, I would have told you that it was nothing and I could handle it on my own. I did not need a psychiatrist because I was of sound mind, a good student and most importantly, I was not crazy. I had vowed never to see a psychiatrist. My parents, however, didn’t see things this way. They stepped in and took the matter out of my hands. While I initially despised them for this, I later came to be extremely thankful. OCD is characterized by persistent irrational thoughts, called obsessions, and the unnecessary and repetitive behaviours in response to the thoughts, called compulsions. The thoughts are irrational and ridiculous upon examination, but feel as if they are life or death situations to the person who has them. They will dictate your life if you let them. I was drowning in a sea of compulsions, which both exacerbated my Crohn’s and prohibited me from living the happy, healthy life I wanted to lead. My obsessions and compulsions were all about contamination. My phobia of cigarette smoke made it impossible for me

to walk past smokers without covering my face with my shirt to filter the air. Even being in the same room as someone who I knew smoked would cause me to panic. I went to a junior high school where some kids did drugs, and I was in constant fear that this would somehow rub off on me. I wasn’t worried I would become interested in drugs, but that the other students’ use

promising with a minimal dose to begin with. The change to my life was evident, but not in the way I had expected. The obsessive thoughts that were previously relentless did not cause as much of a stir in my mind. The level of panic became lower and less out of control. This rein on the mayhem allowed me to regain control over myself and my compulsions. Medication was not the only solution; rather it was a weapon that helped me in my battle. In conjunction with the medication, my psychiatrist recommended a psychologist specializing in cognitive behavioural therapy to give me the strategies needed to conquer the obsessive thoughts and to ignore compulsions. I’ve come to learn that, although medications and therapy are extremely beneficial, overcoming mental illness requires drive and effort on the patient’s part, too. I’m thankful I changed my attitude and accepted and embraced the help I was given. My Crohn’s is now under control and I am healthy and happy, I know I would not be where I am today without the help and support of my psychiatrist.

If I had picked up anything from TV and movies, it was that therapy was for people who were “nuts.” Being in this waiting room was both admitting and confirming my insanity. But I was too short-sighted then to see just how crucial a milestone this was for me. of drugs would contaminate my lungs and alter my brain. As I listed my compulsions for the first time, I waited for my psychiatrist to throw up her hands in resignation and say, “Wow, you are crazy! Never seen that before!” This never happened. The first thing I learned was that OCD is far more common than one might think. According to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, OCD occurs in approximately one to five per cent of youth. I also learned OCD is not very creative. My psychiatrist had heard each and every one of my compulsions and triggers before. I quickly saw that no matter how alone I felt in my worry, there were thousands of others who knew all too well the fright I was experiencing. Suffering alone is far more difficult than seeking help. The next step was medication. I was prescribed Escitalopram, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor that would alter the natural chemical activity of my brain. This was disconcerting and I wondered if the drug worked in my brain, would it affect my personality? It was explained to me that the medication would tone down the full-octane anxiety in my brain and allow clearer, more rational thinking. I accepted, com-

STEPHEN’S ADVICE If obsession or anxiety controls you, it is imperative to seek help. Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. It is not unique or uncommon and it is not linked to intelligence in any way. Conversely, the diagnosis has been liberating – I am able to joke with my friends about my neuroses. Obsessive thoughts are crazy; they’re irrational. But that does not make me crazy. Seeking help has fundamentally changed my life and has given me the tools to manage my OCD as I approach adulthood. Seeking help is not admitting defeat, it’s gathering reinforcements to ﬁght the battle.

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POSITIVE T Grip writer Vanessa Stewart explores what resiliency is and why this quality matters

“A

happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” – Hugh Downs How someone deals with a situation tells a lot about his or her approach to life, especially when surrounded by the worst of circumstances. Everyday, we face new challenges, both big and small. Change can be frightening for many. As teens, sometimes it seems that the only constant in our life is change. Personalities are remade, relationships are modified and a variety of other circumstances and situations alter our lives. Personally, I find this constant shuffle exciting. New things are the best, but I know not everyone feels the same way. I find that if you approach such transitions with a positive attitude, it’s amazing what can happen. It’s about staying upbeat in trying times, and realizing that you come out of struggles stronger than you went in. These struggles can transform you – and in a good way. Maintaining a high level of self esteem and an accompanying positive attitude during harder periods is often easier said than done. When you’re feeling low, it can be challenging to recognize that opportunities are often disguised as difficult situations. It can feel trite and fake when others say, “When things don’t go your way, it’s a chance for improvement and personal growth.” So how do you maintain a positive attitude, especially during difficult times? An important part of this is a quality called resiliency. It’s the ability to recover from or easily adjust to misfortune or change. Denise Salanski, prevention counsellor with the safe communities initiative and a specialist in addiction and mental health in Edmonton,

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E Transformations says resilient people have strong networks of support. These could include a set of really good friends who help you grow as a person. A form of relaxation, such as yoga or another activity that you are passionate about is another good and supportive way of letting off some steam and calming yourself down. Having something that’s there for you in difficult times really takes the load off your back, especially when it’s getting heavy. For me, the simple act of reading is a huge element to my support system. It’s relaxing to me, and something that I know I can always turn to. Salanski says another way to address your struggles can be through helping someone else out with his or her own problems. It could potentially give you extra insight into your troubles. Don’t be afraid to speak to others about the things you’re going through. Talking with someone you respect gives you a fresh approach on things. If you don’t have anyone in your life you feel comfortable talking to at this time, write your thoughts down instead. Writing provides you with the opportunity to process your thoughts and gives you an amazing perspective on where you’ve been and where you want to go. It’s also important to acknowledge your feelings and see the irony and humour in the darkest situations, Salanski says. By being upbeat you help decrease stress that is caused by the little stuff, leaving your mind at peace so you can focus on what really matters to you. If you’re like me, you dance a little in front of the mirror and flash yourself a few winks before going to school. Loving yourself is major in this whole staying positive deal. “Self esteem is influenced by a person’s family, upbringing and environment, but it isn’t inherited like brown eyes or curly hair – it’s taught,” Salanski says. You ultimately decide the feelings you hold

towards yourself. Salanksi reminds us that one does not need to be the best at everything in order to feel confident. Understanding you tried and learned from the experience is a key factor. Her advice to maintaining a positive attitude, even during troubling times, is to start by thinking good thoughts. Be willing to problemsolve when appropriate, says Salanski, and it can be helpful to offer your opinion and walk in another person’s shoes to gain understanding and perspective. While it can sometimes be tempting to see the worst in people, especially when we feel like we’ve been let down by our friends, family or peers, try to view such disappointment as out of the ordinary. Salanski says to expect the best situations when dealing with people and believe that they will treat you with value and worth. Every encounter with a fellow human can be an encouraging one. My favourite recommendation of Salanski’s is to celebrate accomplishments, both big and small, because breathing is better with an attitude of gratitude. You’re alive. Isn’t that amazing? Resilience is defined as the recovery from misfortune. By taking personal inventory of our past struggles, we can improve our chances of coming out on top, Salanski says. People who

Resiliency is an ability to recover from or easily adjust to misfortune or change.

think positively take the negative aspects out of every situation and replace them with positive vibes to see things as a clear window of opportunity. Salanski says that resilient youth share two sets of developmental strengths that encourage and support coping skills: extrinsic factors and personality characteristics. Extrinsic factors include family, peers, school and community, while personality characteristics relate to empowerment, self control, cultural sensitivity, self concept and social sensitivity. In 1955, researchers Emmy Werner and Ruth Smith began a 40 year longitudinal study that followed all the children born on the island of Kauai during that year. She and her fellow researchers identified a number of protective factors in the lives of these resilient individuals which helped to balance out risk factors at critical periods in their development. They discovered that resilient children have healthy coping mechanisms and ask for help whenever they need it. By following Salanski’s recommendations for living an optimistic life, anything is possible. Positive people live fulfilling lives and have a lot of fun along the way. It’s healthy to acknowledge the bad and disappointing things in life, but don’t get stuck dwelling on them. Let your mind wander over to the positive side. I speak from experience when I say, it’s nice over here.

RAISE YOUR RESILIENCY Denise Salanski, prevention counsellor with the safe communities initiative and a specialist in addiction and mental health in Edmonton, offers tips on how to improve resiliency. • Build a strong network of support, including family and friends that you trust and respect. A support network also includes hobbies or activities that you are passionate about, as these provide a sense of purpose as well as a fun way for you to relax. • Be aware that others might be going through what you’re going through. It can be empowering to address your struggles by helping someone else out with their own. This also helps you to gain a fresh perspective on your own challenges. • See the irony and humour in life, even in the darkest of situations. Acknowledge your feelings and don’t be afraid to laugh, even if it’s at yourself. • The ability to see opportunity, even in negative situations, is a useful skill. Look for the good even in the bad, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. • For a detailed list of personal resiliency builders, head to www.albertahealthservices.ca/2837.asp griponlife.ca

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Changed Att Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s views on mental illness have shifted in recent decades for the better, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still plenty of room for improvement

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Attitudes S

ocietal views on mental illness have shifted in recent decades for the better, but attitudes towards mental illness still need some improvement. Michael Pietrus, director of the Opening Minds initiative with the Mental Health Commission of Canada says, “The problem with mental illness is that there is an old misconception that there is no hope for people who have mental illness and that they can’t be helped and can’t recover.” Fear and lack of knowledge fuel these attitudes regarding mental illness and there’s documented evidence throughout history to prove mistreatment of the mentally ill. Today, treatments and institutions are significantly better, but many people still remain largely in the dark about mental illness because it’s not a subject we often talk about openly or willingly. “All you have to do is look at cancer or AIDS, for example,” says Pietrus. “Before people knew a lot about [them] or before there were treatments that were effective, people with cancer were discriminated against because people did not think [cancer patients] could be helped. They were essentially marginalized in society.” Pietrus says similar things happened to people with AIDS, as well, because the disease was just emerging and had no effective treatments. Attitudes and behaviours changed once people realized AIDS patients could actually be helped or treated. Everyday conditions and issues people with mental illnesses face today are much improved compared to those a few decades ago. This is thanks to the findings researchers discovered through various clinical and lab tests – although not all were successful or pleasant. The major conclusion found was that mental illness stems from both biological and situational origins. Knowing most mental illnesses have biological foundations means labelling them as purely a physical disorder makes successful treatment almost impossible to achieve. For the best outcome, environmental and biological factors need to be taken into account as they both contribute to the continuation of mental illness. Although stigma, which is a negative and preconceived attitude towards something, for mental illness has decreased in Canada, the problem is still present and the theme of many studies worldwide. A study done in the U.K. in 2000 by the Mental Health Foundation found that even professionals can harbour hurtful opinions against those suffering from mental illness. Forty-four per cent of people with a mental illness, or a family member with one, have experienced stigma from their primary care physician while 32 per cent experienced stigma from other health-care workers.

By Christine Green

In 2008, the Canadian Medical Association discovered that 42 per cent of people would not spend time with a friend diagnosed with a mental illness and 25 per cent would be afraid to be around someone with mental illness. There is hope that attitudes surrounding mental illness are changing to give affected children and teens a fighting chance in the future. The 2004 Interim Report on the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology indicated that 15 per cent of Canadian youth experience a form of mental illness – that’s more than one million kids. It’s crucial, and proactive, that these children seek prompt treatment because the same study reported 70 per cent of adults with mental illnesses say their symptoms started early in their teen years. If help is sought out early, people are given an opportunity to recover and live a healthy, happy life despite their mental health challenges. The unfortunate reality is that many people suffering with early stages of a mental illness fear a diagnosis that has so much stigma attached, which prevents them from getting the help they desperately need. Considering one in five Canadians will likely experience mental illness, stigma and acceptance are urgent matters to address. The ultimate goal of mental health advocates like Pietrus is to have people with mental illness feel worthy and valuable, just like everyone else, but also be treated with the same level of respect as someone without a mental illness would.

Today, treatments and institutions are significantly better, but many people still remain largely in the dark about mental illness because it’s not a subject we often talk about openly or willingly.

HOW FAR WE HAVE COME The everyday conditions and issues people with mental illness face today have significantly improved, thanks to the findings of researchers and work of various organizations and advocates. Here’s an overview of some of the recent highlights Canadians have made while advocating for people with mental health issues. • In 2006, a Standing Senate Committee completed the first-ever national study of mental health, mental illness and addiction. It found an alarming number of challenges facing Canadians with mental health issues. • The Committee’s concerns were detailed in its report, Out of the Shadows at Last – Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada. The Committee also reaffirmed the need for a Mental Health Commission to provide an ongoing national focus for mental health issues. • The federal government created the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) the following year. • Among its initiatives, the MHCC is creating the country’s first mental health strategy, working to reduce stigma, advancing knowledge exchange in mental health, and examining how best to help people who are homeless and living with mental health problems.

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ILLUSTRATION: RAYMOND REID

By Fatima Carton

A teen shares her challenging journey through treatment, where she learned mistakes are OK and gained strength from the people on the sidelines cheering her on

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ometimes it’s hard to believe that one seemingly

insignificant decision can change your life. I made that decision last summer. I decided to disobey my parents and hang out with people I knew weren’t good. They were involved with drugs and alcohol, which led me to try them. At home I experienced big mood swings and I felt emotions very intensely. I’d be laughing one minute and the next I’d be filled with rage. August, last year, was the first time that my mom took me to the hospital for threatening suicide. That night I returned home. Later, at Thanksgiving dinner, my brother and I had an argument. Something inside me snapped and I slapped his face so hard that his glasses flew off. I felt humiliated and guilty and I ran out of the room. I felt like I had ruined the night. The next night I had another argument, this time with my mom. Later that night I was in the garage and I saw some engine cleaner. I felt the warm, oily liquid dribble down my throat. Soon after that my parents smelled the cleaner on me and were able to guess what happened. I broke down and began sobbing and begged them not to take me back to the hospital. At the hospital I was immediately hooked up to an IV for the evening. The doctor who came to talk to me told me what would happen if I died. I remember asking if I’d die and I was immensely relieved when he told me that I wouldn’t. The next day, I was transferred to a young-adult program at the hospital. I was there for about five weeks. When I came home from the hospital things did not improve and I stayed at a friend’s house for about a month. After a few more hospital visits, I was put into a stabilization program run by a local organization. I was there for five days. During my stay I had family meetings every day. I also completed journals and reviewed them with the staff, which was called “processing.” While I was discharged from this program, over the next few months I continued to struggle. At one point I was admitted to the hospital for self-harm and had to stay on an adult unit, which was scary. I finally found a program that worked for me and stayed with it for just over a month. The staff there helped me a lot, in many ways. They were able to realize that writing in a journal wasn’t the best fit for me. Instead, they would get me to make a coping skills box. The staff was able to adjust to help me. I’m currently at a day treatment program and I hope to be discharged soon. Transitioning is not ever going to be easy. Even now, I am still having problems adjusting to the fact that I live full-time at home again. Transitioning isn’t going to come smoothly and slip-ups are part of the process. Mistakes are OK and they help us to learn and grow as people. An important thing to remember is that you can’t keep your treatment period a secret. People are always going to find out. At first it can seem scary; I was worried that my friends were going to judge me because I was in treatment, but they did not. Transitioning can be tough but there are always people on the sidelines cheering for you on your way to success. I firmly believe that treatment ultimately makes you a more understanding and empathetic person. I believe that every one of you going through something like this is destined for success.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS By Christine Green Treatment options come in many shapes and sizes. Just like a teen’s symptoms will vary. so too will the solution. Recovering from a mental illness is a strenuous battle, but there are different therapies that you can try that will aid in the recovery process. Every person is an individual, so looking around and trying something new, you may find a coping strategy that really works for you. Here are three forms of therapy that exist, among many other options. Pet Therapy Pet therapy allows a person who is hurting to spend time with an animal to receive therapeutic benefits. Essentially, the person visits with an animal and reaps the rewards of that contact. Animals can be great comforters because they are friendly, loving, non-judgmental and make great listeners. Mental illness, or even just stressful circumstances, can make you feel alone. Animals have a wonderful way of making you feel loved and appreciated. They also help to lower your heart-rate and blood pressure. As you spend time with them, your stress level is lessened because of the pet’s calm, reassuring presence. Therapy animals can be anything from cats to dogs to miniature ponies. Try spending time with your own pet or a pet belonging to someone you know. If that is not possible, go to your local animal shelter or pet rescue group and help socialize pets. Even aquatic creatures in a fish tank can be calming and beneficial to watch. Art Therapy Art therapy involves people creating artwork to artistically express themselves and process what they are going through. Like writing in a journal, it allows you to work through what you are feeling in a positive way. Artistic mediums provide an outlet for feelings. Teens – whether they are artistic or not – can connect to what they are doing with the art and focus on the present moment, rather than the troubling situations surrounding them. This is affirmed by Nancy Corrigan, an artist who has worked at the University of Alberta hospital and the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. Corrigan says, “Art in itself has always been beneficial for a sense of joy, creating new skills, using the intuitive and spontaneous side of the brain and developing creativity for the whole person: [the] mind, body and spirit.” Grab some art supplies and get going, or try joining an art class. Remember, you do not have to be Picasso to enjoy art therapy. Music Therapy Music therapy harnesses the power of a song to bring about healing. It can be the lyrics or the feel of the song that can bring about positive change. You can create your own music or listen to music that has already been composed. Music allows you to identify with your feelings and how they relate to the feelings of others. It is a way to express yourself and be reminded that you are not alone in your struggles. Most of all, listening to inspiring tunes can be entertaining and uplifting. Teenagers can benefit from music therapy because music is already a significant part of most teens’ lives. Working some feel-good songs into your playlist can boost your mood and put your mind in a more relaxed and empowered state. Getting involved in music therapy is very simple. Just get a pen and paper and start writing or plug in your headphones. Moving to the beat is another great way to let off some steam and have a fantastic time while you are at it. If you are feeling depressed, anxious or suicidal you can get help. Many organizations offer 24-hour crisis support lines, online counselling or in-person, walk-in counselling. The Mental Health Line number is 1-877-303-2642. The Support Network number is 780-482-HELP and the Distress Centre can be reached at 403-266-HELP. griponlife.ca

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It Takes

Relationships are integral to our lives, but not always easy, writes Grip’s Jena Tang. As connections come and go and constantly change, how can we hold on to the people who matter the most to us?

’m kissing my parents goodbye, I’m getting on my toes to wrap my arms around his neck, I’m sharing a laugh with my best friend as she drives away. These are my many faces – a sister, a daughter, and a friend – and these are the people that I have always associated as being the heart of who I am. Relationships are integral to our lives. They matter because the people in our lives strongly impact and influence who we are. They’re the people we share our lives with – the outstanding, the setbacks, the bumps in the road, and the firsts. Developing and maintaining healthy relationships is the foundation of our lives. Like everything else as teenagers, the connections we build with the people around us are inclined to change. It’s inevitable and often the best way to approach changes with each relationship is to adapt and welcome them. Families are where we first learn about relationships. Built in all different shapes and sizes, our parents and our siblings initiate us into a world of connection and interaction. In the same way that we learn different things from different people, our lives can be defined by the type of relationships that we have. Leena Wang credits who she is largely, if not wholly, to her bond with her mother. “She taught me independence, to not be afraid to be myself,” Leena says. Raised by a single mother, Leena developed immense appreciation for her mom as well as recognizing the strength of a woman. Hit with a streak of rebellion in her early teens, Leena and her mother also struggled to navigate the changes in their relationship brought on by the almighty self-righteousness customary to adolescence.

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s “Heart to hearts, that’s how we dealt with our issues,” Leena says. “How else do you deal with changes? We learned to resolve our problems instead of dwelling on them. We learned how to apologize.” The significance of communication between Leena and her mother relates to all relationships, as the fine line that distinguishes between healthy and unhealthy connections. Families, in particular, are a constant presence in your life; choosing to avoid and ignore issues only creates tension and stress. The ability to express your emotions and problems feeds your personal growth and enhances each relationship. Like second families, our friends also bring different experiences to our personal growth. Friendships teach us how to be human – they teach us to bear our souls while accepting who we are. Genuine, strong friendships are built on honesty, trust and mutual respect. Jennifer Munoz, a health promotion facilitator for Alberta Health Services, talks about the qualities of a good relationship. “Having shared interests is definitely key in a healthy relationship, but the ability to be yourself is also important,” Munoz says. “As a young individual, or at any age really, compromising who you are is damaging. You’re only just learning about yourself.” Munoz emphasizes talking openly and honestly about issues that occur, but also being aware of the factors of an unhealthy friendship, from feelings of manipulation, to jealousy, a lack of independence, stress and put downs. Recognizing these aspects can help us repair, or put an end to damaging relationships. Unhealthy relationships are also characterized by over-controlling

friends, a lack of respect, judgment and hurt. Being able to communicate your interests and opinions to your friends is vital to a healthy friendship. “You need to know your expectations, know how you feel, and your personal values,” Munoz says. Dealing with changes and problems that arise in unhealthy friendships require the ability to be honest, to listen and to fight fair – the capacity to compromise and take responsibility for your mistakes may strengthen your relationship and yourself. Through communication and awareness, we create healthier connections and compose room to further explore personal growth. Who we are is a compilation of our families, friends and in some cases, teachers, mentors, professionals, and boyfriends or girlfriends. We share different aspects of our lives with different relationships, and they contribute to our lives in different ways. In casual relations with teachers, or other people that we may look up to and turn to for service, practicing respect will teach us essential skills and behaviours as teens. This affects how we interact with others and helps us develop other healthy relationships. In relationships with our boyfriend or girlfriend, we have the opportunity to experience friendship and love. While we may be part of a couple, Munoz says that it is important to maintain a sense of independence. “You need to maintain who you are in a relationship. A healthy couple complements one another, but still

retains the sense of being individual,” she says. Like all healthy relationships, strong couples need to be balanced and equal. You should be aware of your choices, just as you should be understanding of your partner – being able to respect the other person even in times of disagreement is essential to building a stronger connection. In the end, understanding personal values and communicating honestly about who we are and how we feel are the best ways to ensure our relationships are healthy.

Dealing with changes and problems that arise in unhealthy friendships require the ability to be honest, to listen and to fight fair – the capacity to compromise and take responsibility for your mistakes may strengthen your relationship and yourself. Our connections with others are fundamental to our growth, especially as teens, because it provides us with the opportunity to share our lives with others while learning more about who we are, and who we want to be. Resolving unhealthy relationships and allowing stronger ones to flourish help us grow and thrive both as individuals and as children, siblings, friends and lovers. There are few things in life that I can look at with conviction – one being that my family will always undoubtedly be embarrassing, another being that my best friend will probably always get me in, and out of trouble – but both are crucial to who I am.

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DISTRACTION The technology that surrounds us is portable, accelerated and pervasive. Do these tweets, texts, emails and posts also transform how we think and feel? By Zosia Prus-Czarnecka / Illustration by Kathryn MacNaughton

echnology is changing and it’s moving fast. Touch screens on smart phones have replaced sliding keyboards, while the bulky desktop computers that were common just a few years ago now seem like a piece from the past. Tablets, tweets, texts and blogs – these once strange words are now a common part of our vocabularies. As communications technologies have evolved, so too have the social networks that we access on them. We’re now constantly connected to the Internet, which has become more portable and pervasive than many people likely every imagined. Facebook is no longer just an amusement from our homework – it’s a 24/7 distraction on our smart phones that we carry around in our pockets. But does this continuous “plugging in” affect our mental health? The answer to this question seems to come down to balance and intent. Spending every single waking hour on your smart phone is obviously no good, nor is using social networking sites to bully others. But for the average teen – if there is such a thing – experts and researchers seem to agree that when used properly, and when a few warnings are heeded (see the sidebar at the end of this story), social media and technology are good. “I think social media, on the whole, has been very good for the mental health of adolescents in the sense that it fulfills a number of developmental tasks at this stage of life,” Dr. Michael Rich says. Rich, an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and associate professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, became a doctor after a filmmaking career. He’s since spent a lot of his time researching medicine and media and the intersection between both, including the positive and negative effects of media on children and youth.

He says that social media helps teens connect with others, and also gives them the ability to “try on” different identities, something that teens have always done – with or without the existence of the Internet. “It’s also mixed with this strong sense of social justice or fairness. Social media provides real opportunities for youth to be involved in a community of others who share those beliefs,” Dr. Rich says. Another advantage is the sense of protection that can come with online communication, he says, citing the example of a nervous boy building up the courage to ask a girl he likes out on a date. “It feels safer than getting face-to-face and saying, ‘Do you want to go out for a pizza or go to a movie?’ ” Still, just because it may feel safer doesn’t mean it is better. Dr. Rich notes that teens can get caught in a developmental delay, of sorts, where they stay in that secure environment for too long. “There are less distractions and less risk to it, but there’s also less satisfaction in terms of being face-to-face with people. You can’t kiss online,” he says. Marisa Murray is a PhD student in psychology at the University of Ottawa who studies the impacts of social networking sites, including the psychological and physical well-being of users. She agrees that there are differences in how we communicate online. Murray says that teens rely on electronic communication because it “gives them more time to think about how they would like to respond to their peers’ questions and makes them feel more confident in their responses.” There’s also the narcissism that many social networking sites encourage, as people constantly post and comment on each other’s photos. Dr. Rich notes that teens throughout time have gone through this stage; it’s

“This environment has certain qualities to it that are wonderful and other qualities to it that can be very treacherous,” Dr. Rich says. “We need to learn to live in this environment.”

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30 a part of normal development. But, he stresses, teens must go through it and come out the other end – it should be just a stage. “Facebook and Twitter have the capacity to bring people together, which can make us feel as though we are socially accepted and that we belong,” says Jessica Moorman, a master’s student at Carleton University who also studies the impact of social networking sites, such as Facebook. “However, I think that these social networking tools can also cause a lot of anxiety and stress among users who may feel as though they do not have as many “friends” as the rest of their peer group, who may feel left out when they see pictures and posts about upcoming or fun get-togethers they weren’t able to go to, or who have a constant worry of upholding this wonderfully creative, fun, inspiring and well-liked persona on their profile pages.” Moorman says the deciding factor in how social networking affects our mental health is the context of conversations. Do most of our interactions take place online? “Individuals who are more likely to cope with conflict using mediums like Facebook or who have a higher preference for interacting online with close friends are more likely to have higher rates of depression and lower levels of self-esteem,” Moorman says. This means we still need to learn face-to-face communication skills, and not restrict all socializing to an online environment. If we are aware of the dark and bright sides of social media and can use it with reasonable limits, then the overall effect of it should be a positive one, and it should help us stay connected with friends. Still, when we are overloaded with homework, exams and stress, social media becomes a distraction. Oftentimes, we feel that if we do not log onto Facebook every day, we will miss out on get-togethers and other social events. But when we log on we find ourselves distracted by the endless numbers of photos and messages from friends. So what can be done? Ultimately, social networking isn’t terrible and it helps us to stay in touch with one another. Still, it must be used reasonably and with a certain level of self-discipline. And then, of course, there are outright negative aspects to technology and social media, including sexting, cyberbullying and pressure to give away too much personal information. “There are [online] means of bullying that can be more insidious and damaging than face-to-face confrontation,” Murray says, noting such bullying combines interpersonal interaction with a potentially larger audience of people online watching the abuse. One of her upcoming studies, with Dr. Gary Goldfield, will look at the relationships between disordered eating behaviour and social networking. All things considered, social media and new technologies offer many advantages, especially if we approach them with a healthy amount of caution. “This environment has certain qualities to it that are wonderful and other qualities to it that can be very treacherous,” Dr. Rich says. “We need to learn to live in this environment.” 30

ADVICE BY THE EXPERTS Grip asked Dr. Michael Rich, Marisa Murray and Jessica Moorman for some final words of advice to teens. “Ensure that you are using social mediums as an engaged way to interact with and keep up-to- date with those who you may not easily interact with otherwise. However, it is important to be mindful of the kinds of things that you are sharing online and how posted material may be interpreted by others. As a good measure, and to continue to remain present in both the offline and online world, if you wouldn’t be willing to stand outside of your front door and share your private information with neighbours and people passing by, it may be worth reconsidering sharing it on online spaces,” say Moorman and Murray. Dr. Rich implores teens to recognize that anything they put online in social media, on websites or on a blog is there forever. “The web can not only spread things very broadly and very quickly, but the web is also sticky. In other words what you put will stick, somewhere, somehow. I often tell youth to use the grandmother rule: only post anything that you’d be OK with your grandmother seeing you put up, because she can, and in many cases, she will, see it.” Also be aware of why Facebook exists in the first place, Dr. Rich says. “Social media networks make their money by profiling us, who we are, where we are, where we live. So teens need to be hip to what the site’s interests are and what its motives are. It’s very easy to believe that Facebook put this feature here just so I could have fun with my friends and many teens don’t think of it beyond that. They need to be aware of what they’re giving away in terms of personal information in order to get that service.”

EVERYTHING ONLINE? For more information on maintaining a safe and appropriate online image, check out this story from Grip’s Fall 2010 issue. Go to archives at griponlife.ca

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QUIZ How do you deal with change? Everyone reacts to change in a different way. Some people embrace it and others shy away from it, but change is something we all face at one time or another. Take this short quiz to find out how you deal with change. Is there room for improvement in your reaction? By Ann Lee Change means to make different in some way or to alter. It happens every day. Usually, we encounter small changes that rarely cause a reaction, such as changing the clothing we wear or brushing our teeth with a new toothbrush. But we all go through big changes as well, and that’s where learning how to adapt to change can help you stress less and enjoy life more. Don’t know how well you deal with change? Take the following quiz to find out.

1. Which of the following describes you best?

a) I wish things were the way they were. b) Sometimes I miss my past, but I’m usually happy with the present. c) I’m happy I got to do what I did and am ready to take on the future.

2. Do you ever feel like others were out to get you when something didn’t go the way you wanted? a) All the time. b) Sometimes. c) Never or rarely.

4. When faced with making a decision

that will have an impact on your life, such as choosing what to do after Grade 12 graduation, do you: a) Try to avoid the decisions entirely. Sure, you spend a lot of time mulling things over and considering your options, but when it comes down to making a decision you don’t. b) Hesitate a little bit and try to make sure everything is right. c) After thinking for a very short amount of time, you go ahead and make the decision, more than ready to embrace the changes that you know will come your way.

3. You’re on your way to meet some friends for 5. When you return to school in the fall, a movie when someone texts to say the movie you planned to see is sold out. The new plan is to go for dinner first and then see a different movie. What’s your reaction? a) This will be no fun. You wish your evening’s plans stayed the way they were. b) It’s annoying that the movie is sold out, but maybe the new movie will be better. c) Who cares? You weren’t even sure what the original movie was, plus who doesn’t like joining friends for dinner? Your go with the flow attitude means you’re not fazed by the changes.

one of your friends is unrecognizable. She is sporting a new look, behaves differently, and now wants to hang out with a different crowd. She still likes you and acts like a good friend, but she spends less time with you. How do you react? a) You get upset and act grumpy. b) You are a little upset, but you accept that she has other friends too. c) You are happy for your friend and enjoy whatever amount of time you spend together.

If you answered: Mostly As: Looks like you’re hanging on to the past, with a very tight grasp. Missing your past is OK, but if you compare then and now constantly, it will make it harder for you to enjoy what’s happening right now. Try to let go of the past and face the future, and remind yourself that unexpected changes often result in exciting opportunities you didn’t expect before. Mostly Bs: Most of the time you can deal with change well. You like to live in the “now”, but sometimes you may miss the past and cower in front of big changes. Don’t hide. Embrace what’s to come and remember that there is a silver lining to every cloud. Mostly C’s: Woohoo! Here’s to the future! You adjust to changes well, and are always ready to move forward. When life gives you lemons, you’re all about making the best lemonade. Just remember to be aware of the fact that not everyone shares your ability to adapt. Friendships may be strained if a friend makes a plan to hang out and you change it five times. Like all things, it’s about moderation. (This quiz is not intended to be a diagnostic tool; rather it is for your entertainment and enjoyment.) griponlife.ca

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She SaidH

The overall impact of social media on teens is more positive than negative. By: Ann Lee and Cody Powers

“The overall impact of social media on teens is positive,” writes Ann Lee, noting that social media connects people across vast distances. “By reading status updates, posting pictures and instant messaging, we can reconnect, maintain, or even improve relationships. Also, social media has spread from just being used for general interests to health purposes. Teenagers who are coping or recovering from life changing illnesses can meet people like them, and support each other.” Social media surrounds most teens every day; it’s almost everywhere. On a daily basis, most of us will access information through it, interact with others using it and much more. Although there are some downsides to this amazing tool, I believe that it has a more positive than negative impact on teens today. Are you an avid social networker? Then here’s some good news for you and others like you: Studies show that being a member of many online communities can help you be happier and healthier, as you build and maintain new connections and friendships with people who you otherwise would not be able to interact with. Balance, of course, is important. These online friendships are best complimented with offline friendships, as well as exercising and eating well rather than spending all day in front of a computer screen. In the last few years, parts of our world have gone through many tumultuous times. Many nations went through an H1N1 pandemic. Earthquakes and aftershocks shook Haiti and left multitudes of men, women, and children terrified, homeless, injured or dead. Japan was devastated by a monstrous tsunami. What does it have to do with social media, you ask? Well, websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Yahoo informed “netizens” (anyone who uses the Internet) worldwide of these awful events much faster than traditional news sources. As donation campaigns, information and shocking images of the devastation circulated through our online communities, they helped fundraise millions of dollars quickly for victims of these disasters. Social networking allows people, especially teens, to make a difference. We may not have a lot of money but we have a voice and a strong sense of social justice, and online campaigns are able to have

a real-life impact. This extends beyond just clicking “like” on a Facebook page, it’s about being engaged and working with the resources we have to bring change. Social networks allow us to connect with others who share our beliefs and concerns, and together we can make a difference. Another benefit of social networking is the connections it allows us to form with friends and family members who may no longer live in the same city or town that we do. For many people, bonds were harder to maintain before the invention of social networking. Nowadays we can communicate online. By reading status updates, posting pictures, going on Skype and instant messaging, we can reconnect, maintain, or even improve relationships. There are many ways you can learn new skills when using social media. Whether you want to learn basic cake decorating skills or a new skateboarding trick, you can learn it all online. This can be especially useful for youth because joining such communities where you can communicate with more experienced people are usually free and can be accessed at any time, from almost anywhere. That means you could discuss your favourite painting techniques with another artist and learn how to use different brush strokes on your iPad. In recent times, social media has spread from just being used for general interests to health purposes. Teenagers who are coping or recovering from life changing illnesses can meet others like them, and support each other; people with autism can communicate with the world without having as much difficulty as they might usually have. People who have had similar life-altering experiences can meet online, get encouragement and swap information that may be useful for them in the future. Overall these many benefits prove that the impact of social networking on our lives is positive, not negative.

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dHe Said Grip assigned two teens to argue on opposite sides of a debate, just for the fun of a good argument. Along the way, the debaters reflect on how we retain information, if multi-tasking is good for us and how we socialize online and offline

“The overall impact of social media on teens is negative,” writes Cody Powers. “Sure, there are benefits – but overall the cons outweigh the pros. Our reliance on Facebook status updates and Instagram pictures of every outing make us narcissists, and we’re increasingly deficient when it comes to socializing offline. Plus there’s our growing inability to retain information as everything we could possible need is at our fingertips… until it’s time for that final exam.” We’re constantly connected to the Internet, which provides an endless source of distraction from so much of our lives. We walk down the streets and have our head glued to our phones, where we can access Facebook and Twitter and anything else we please. What ever happened to being aware of our surroundings? When we wait in line at a store we’re often on our phones, instead of partaking in simple small talk with those around us. Sure we’re good at condensing our thoughts to 140 Twitter-worthy characters, but can we still carry on a conversation with the person bagging our groceries? I’m not so sure. Yes there are benefits to social networking, as new bonds that were previously unable to form can now grow, but overall the cons outweigh the pros. Our reliance on Facebook status updates and Instagram pictures of every outing make us narcissists, and we’re increasingly deficient when it comes to socializing offl ine. We’ve been conditioned through our online interactions to have time to think through everything we’re going to type, which gives us more confidence in our responses. This is a fi ne situation to have, until it

becomes the only situation we’re comfortable in and the thought of a face-to-face conversation with the girl or guy we have a crush on is downright frightening. There’s also our growing inability to retain information as everything we could possible need is at our fi ngertips… until it’s time for that fi nal exam. And while many might argue that social networking is good in small doses – it’s about balance, of course – I think such balance is increasingly harder to achieve. The fact that many youth have cell phones that are connected to the Internet at all times means that the Internet is often the last thing we see before we go to bed and the fi rst thing we see when we wake up. Let’s also examine for a moment how social networking has changed the way we focus. I think it has changed our attention span to a huge extent, to the point where it’s difficult for us to spend an hour on a homework assignment without wanting to constantly check our phone or computer screen. In such cases social networking is not just a distraction; it is an irritant, it harms productivity and it causes us not to put our full effort forth in the task at hand. The same case can be seen at a family dinner – if everyone has their phones out and is checking what’s up online, the conversation quickly stops and we lose the connections we could be building right there, in front of us. Social networking also opens up an opportunity for online bullies. Previously if young people were having issues with bullying in the school or the community, they could go home and it would be a safe haven. But that’s not the case anymore, as people can receive electronic messages from bullies all the time, anywhere. While social networking has the capacity to bring people closer together, making us feel like we belong, it also has a much darker side that leads people to feel left out and hurt and bullied. It causes stress and anxiety when we compare ourselves to others online, or see pictures from events we weren’t invited to. When taken together, these many aspects of social networking prove that the overall impact on our lives is more negative than positive, which should cause us to rethink our habits and be more willing to unplug.

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Hidden Gem Edmonton-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Colleen Brown is working hard to live her dream

By Jessica Highstead

ake a bright, powerful voice, mix it with boldly written songs and add in a whole lot of determination and hard work – and you’re arrived at Colleen Brown. The Edmonton-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has been rising in status in the music industry for the last decade. She’s a hidden gem of sorts, someone right here in our very own province who is talented and gracious and a joy to listen to. Colleen started her career very young. In fact, it actually all started with ballet, which eventually morphed into musical theatre. Add piano lessons and a mother who sings, and it’s no surprise that this young musician began projecting her feelings into songs she wrote. The first song she wrote started from some emotional problems she experienced in her early teens. She questioned, “Can I do this? Can I write a song that people will love, that people will relate to?” By the time she was 16, she was certain she wanted to be a singer.

This young Albertan says when she was just starting out, she mainly wanted to perform, to get herself out there and sing. She wanted an audience she didn’t have to beg, plead and drag to come watch her, making her first goal to gather an audience of strangers. It meant she had to focus on getting her music out there in venues such as open stages and small coffee shops.

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Taking a more tech-savvy approach, Colleen gathered emails and sent out mass messages about where her next performance would be, and eventually, she started getting good reviews. As knowledge of her talent spread to more and more people, her goals changed, as did the grandness of them. She received promos and in 2003, a show. A year later, she released her first album, A Peculiar Thing. She remembers aspiring to perform at Edmonton’s Folk Fest, and to start touring. She had her first tour in 2006. A second album, Foot in Heart, came out in 2008, followed by 2011’s Dirt, which garnered her nominations in five categories at the Edmonton Music Awards. Colleen always knew that she wanted to perform, but it was just recently that she overcame her stage fright. It was a big obstacle for her that time eventually helped her overcome. It wasn’t easy, but she says for each performance she would just focus on the show and not about what people thought of her. It was a large part of her growth as a singer. She also got over the embarrassment of telling people she wanted to be a singer, as she was nervous about their reaction. Colleen admits her music writing used to focus on intimacy and love in her early writing days, but now, as she’s more comfortable with herself as a singer and songwriter, she is a lot more adept to writing things that relate better to her, how she feels and thinks. Lacking a steady flow of funds is a current challenge for Colleen. Like so many people, she made the conscious choice to do what she loves but unfortunately, singing and

performing doesn’t always pay the bills. That means she sometimes is out of a home. She works WHAT’S PLAYING ON COLLEEN BROWN’S hard to pay not only her rent, but band mates and iPOD RIGHT NOW? everyone else who contributes to helping her perform. However, she says all her challenges teach -Beach House her to be true. - Anna Calvi Life is definitely different now than when - The Magnetic Fields (69 songs) Colleen was 16 because a large part of her time - Mike O’Neill of the Inbreds is spent touring. She is in Toronto for half the year performing and touring and moving from place to place. Despite having no free time, she finds that touring is a great experience because she gets to meet a lot of new people and see a lot of great things. What was once a goal to just start touring is now a goal to travel to the U.K. to tour. Just like anyone, there are times when life gets to Colleen and she has the blues. She knows it’s pretty bad when she realizes she has stopped singing. Colleen is always singing. So when she catches herself not belting out a tune along with whatever activity she’s doing – something’s wrong. What makes her feel better? Nothing other than performing, of course. Her favourite part is feeling the energy coming out of the audience. That, she says, is what’s beautiful. And if she wants to change things up to keep things interesting, she switches her instruments from piano to guitar. Role models, like Chantal Kreviazuk, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, encouraged her to write, sing and become who she is today. But it’s not all fun and games. Colleen suggests that anyone hoping to become a musician should ask what’s really important in his or her life. If it’s security and routine, then they may find problems in the future. Performing is not something you choose because of money, but rather because it’s what you love to do and it’s who you love to be. You have to be realistic and understand that there are many challenges – but Colleen says performing is still the greatest feeling in the world. Colleen Brown has released three albums, totalling 37 songs that include “Fight! Fight! Fight!” and “Happy Love Song,”“Chasing Beautiful” and “Boyfriend”. Although the climb has been slow, she feels that only ensures a great prize at the end, and she’s going to use all of her effort to stay at the top.

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This is

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTY DEAN

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Dustin Rider From fighting wildfires as a member of his town’s volunteer fire department to tutoring kids in his community, this active youth leader doesn’t let his physical disability get in the way of helping others By Matt Hirji

acing a wildfire would have most people buckling at the knees. Add to that the pressure of fighting such a fire to protect your town, and most people wouldn’t be up for the job. But for 17year-old Dustin Rider, if it means helping his community, he doesn’t hesitate. Dustin is a volunteer firefighter and has been a member of the Mirror, Alberta Volunteer Fire Department for more than four years. His bravery in the face of danger is matched by his eagerness to assist his community, so when he was given the opportunity to join his town’s fire department, Dustin jumped at the chance. “I just want to help people,” Dustin says. “My father has been a member of the fire department for 32 years. He is a big inspiration to me. So, when I was 13, I started doing odd jobs around the hall and then I joined. All of a sudden I was fighting fires.” As a junior member of the volunteer fire department in Mirror, a hamlet located in central Alberta, Dustin has helped to put out dozens of fires. He has come against raging brushfires, helped extinguish house fires, and has assisted in the rebuilding of houses destroyed by fires in his community. Dustin was born and raised in the town and his determination to help protect the community stems from his passion to help his hometown prosper. “I really enjoy helping the community, so I felt that was a good thing to do. I was always interested in being a fireman because I want to protect people,” Dustin says. “It’s really satisfying. You are helping people, so that’s really an accomplishment to make somebody’s life a little better with your actions. That’s what I like to do.”

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38 Thisis Dustin Rider

RIDE ON: Dustin Rider has been a member of the Mirror Volunteer Fire Department for more than three years.

Sometimes helping people in his community doesn’t come easy to Dustin, but it’s not because he lacks the desire. Dustin was born with cerebral palsy. It’s a disorder that has left him without movement in his right arm for his entire life. Dustin, however, refuses to let his disability interfere with his goals. Instead, he uses it as motivation to persist in the things he is passionate about. “I don’t let it get to me. Whenever somebody says that I can’t do something because I don’t have a lot of use in my arm, I just say ‘Well, I think otherwise.’ Then I try that much harder to prove them wrong,” Dustin says. “With some of the fire department gear, it can be challenging to use. Putting the air-pack on, it takes me a little more time than the other guys. It takes practice, so I train and keep doing it and doing it, and after a little while it becomes second nature.” Dustin’s desire to pitch in around his community doesn’t stop at fighting fires. The teenager

helps tutor younger children in his community who have autism, sits on the student council at his high school, and gives presentations to children about farm safety as a War Amps Ambassador. His determination has garnered Dustin a great deal of recognition from his community for his outstanding citizenship. This year, the provincial government recognized Dustin for his commitment to volunteerism when he received the Great Kids Award, which celebrates children and youth in Alberta who impact their communities in a positive way. The Canadian Government also acknowledged Dustin this year by awarding him a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his significant contributions to society. Dustin was even one of 17 teenagers selected by the Royal Canadian Navy to spend four days aboard the HMCS Oriole Tall Ship learning the intricacies of running the vessel while gaining

leadership experiences. It’s a voyage that Dustin won’t forget. “We basically ran the ship for a week. We had to pull all the rigging by hand, clean the ship, even steer it. So it’s a lot of teamwork … I got to meet a lot of different people from across Canada with different backgrounds and ideas. During that week everybody is working towards one goal. It was an awesome experience and a trip of a lifetime,” Dustin says. But Dustin’s not letting all the awards get to his head. He’s still focused on his community, and looking to serve areas beyond his own backyard. Dustin is off to bible college in Edmonton this fall, and, over the summer, he travelled to Africa to learn about different cultures and complete volunteer work in Kenya and Rwanda. “I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the world works. Hopefully, I’ll be able to learn from that so I can help build better communities,” Dustin says.

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“I don’t let it get to me. Whenever somebody says that I can’t do something because I don’t have a lot of use in my arm, I just say ‘Well, I think otherwise.’ Then I try that much harder to prove them wrong,” Dustin says.

Throughout his life, Dustin has been so focused on his goals that it’s easy for him to forget that that he doesn’t have use of his right arm. Dustin says that his disability will never overshadow his urge to assist people facing hardship in their lives. “I’ve faced quite a few challenges in my life but I haven’t really found anything that I can’t do. I do pretty much everything that I set my mind to,” Dustin says. “I don’t see myself with a disability. I’m just really busy and balance everything like a normal person would.” Despite his disability, Dustin has always remained altruistic. With his relentless compassion to guide him, Dustin is certain that he’ll have plenty more opportunities in the future to lend a helping hand to someone in need. He’ll probably even battle a few fires while he’s at it. “After college I may go into the church. I know that I want to start a family and have kids one day,” Dustin says. “I may even start a fire department in a small town one day.”

TOP JOB: Dustin Rider was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his significant contributions to society.

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40 A fear of being judged and evaluated by others during social situations leaves some teens at home. A Grip writer explores what social phobia is and what can be done about it

triking up a conversation with your crush. Being the new kid at school. Public speaking. Nervous yet? Maybe I should rephrase the question: who wouldn’t be nervous in any of those situations? Anxiety often accompanies the changes and challenges we face, whether it’s only a few butterflies in our stomach, or nauseating dread in the pit of our gut. Chances are that you face situations like this regularly, but even though you’re nervous, you somehow get through it. Sure, the cringe-worthy embarrassing memories will remain seared in your brain for years to come, but you’ll deal. Doesn’t everyone?

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By Irtiza Oyon

Not quite. Tanya Spencer, a clinical psychologist who has a PhD and a senior associate with ARCH Psychological Services in Edmonton, estimates that up to 13 per cent of people see these everyday situations as major obstacles in their life. The official name for this is social anxiety disorder, more commonly known as social phobia. Social phobia is defined as a fear of social situations that involve interaction with other people. The frustrating bit is that people with social phobia want to create new relationships, but the fear holds them back – even though you’d love to make friends, your mind has already convinced you that they won’t like you. If you’re a shy sort, you might be thinking, “Whoa, I have social phobia,” but there is a difference between being shy and having social phobia. As Spencer explains, “For a lot of people who are shy, it’s generally not a big enough deal to prevent them from doing everyday things that need interaction with people. In order to be diagnosed officially, it would need to restrict your activities.” By “restrict your activities,” it’s not just trying to get out of being picked to go next in a class presentation. The emphasis is on everyday life: situations like meeting new people, or even going grocery shopping, can terrify a person with social phobia. Depending on what triggers his or her phobic reactions, symptoms include crippling fear, a dry throat, trembling, blushing, and other flight-or-fight responses. There’s always a chance that someone might judge you negatively, but most people can cope. People with social phobia, however, have the mentality of, “I’ll just avoid social interaction completely, then.” While avoidance provides short-term relief, the long-term effects pretty much rob the individual of a life – you end up missing chances to learn new skills, to create new relationships, or get the most out of school because you’re too afraid to participate in class. Social phobia seeps into a whole bunch of facets of your life, taking most of the joy out. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why a person might have developed social phobia. “It varies from person to person,” Spencer says, “But generally, it depends on the person’s temperament, and their family history.” Intuitively, we get that a person who is naturally more sensitive socially may be at a higher risk – but there’s also one’s genetics. Due to heredity, a family history of anxiety disorders increases a person’s chances of developing social phobia. “Other people can develop social phobia due to a really negative experience,” Dr. Spencer adds, “But it doesn’t necessarily have to have been social humiliation – it could be any trauma, which they reacted to with social phobia.” While you might not be able to locate the exact date and time a person developed social phobia, there is usually a noticeable trend. Spencer traces this timeline: “Babies are anxious about certain things, but that’s a normal process that helps them stay safe. When you get into young kids, potential development of social phobia would probably show up as separation anxiety – but

even that’s normal, because as a kid, you’re supposed to be attached to your parents. I wouldn’t call it social phobia until you get into the teen years.” The good news is that the success rate for treatment is high. “The primo recipe for success in managing social phobia is a combination of systematic desensitization (SD) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).” Some people with severe symptoms will need medication, but that’s like reading glasses – it won’t cure the situation, but it will manage the symptoms so people can learn how to manage the symptoms themselves,” Spencer says. Both SD and CBT target the social phobic’s perception of stressful situations. SD first relaxes the individual, and slowly introduces him or her to the fearful situation; this way, the person can slowly get used to his or her fear. CBT helps patients identify the specific thoughts and behaviours that cause their phobia. “People with social phobia have ‘automatic’ thoughts that come up whenever they’re in a specific situation – ‘I’m not good enough,’ or, ‘they won’t like me anyways,’ – little mantras like that,” Spencer says. “Cognitive behavioural therapy is what unpacks those thoughts, and keeps them away.” For those that know someone with social phobia, Spencer advises, “Don’t try to talk them out of it. People with social phobia convince themselves that their fear is ‘correct’, and when someone tries to tell them that it’s no big deal, they feel that their experiences are being discounted, becoming angry. Instead, we should validate their experience, but at the same time, assert that they will get through this.” Fortunately, people with social phobia can interact easily with close friends and family. If you’re the family member or friend of someone with social phobia, or even just a shy person, offer your company to them when they need to face social situations. With someone familiar and comfortable, they’ll be able to get through the situation – and that’s their first step to building their confidence. “Anxiety for most people, especially if it gets to the diagnosis point, will always be with them to some degree – but the key is managing it,” Spencer emphasizes. For people with social phobia and those who are chronically shy, Spencer has a few suggestions. “Do regular meditation. Power napping. Take up yoga. Anything that relaxes you will do,” she says. The aim is to train yourself to relax, so that when you do become stressed out, you can call up that relaxed state and keep your cool. If you feel that your shyness is cramping your lifestyle, take charge and start working on it. Don’t let you be the one to stop yourself from seizing the day

If you’re the family member or friend of someone with social phobia, or even just a very shy person, offer your company to them when they need to face social situations.

Mind Your Mind is a community for younger people who are learning to take charge of their mental health. You can read stories and interviews, learn more about mental health, check out a toolbox of skills and ﬁnd resources. You can ﬁnd them at www.mindyourmind.ca. griponlife.ca

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42 I

t’s time to strap on your backpack, organize your school supplies, meet new people and maybe even go on your first date. While the thought of returning back to school might leave you feeling nervous and anxious, leave it to a teen (me) who has been through the highs and lows of school to guide you through the unknown and help you ease into another school year. I’ve also asked other teens, and even a few adults and teachers, what kind of back-to-school tips they have. Read on for Grip’s official back-to-school survival guide, which covers many aspects of life as you transition into a new school year.

JUNIOR HIGH School Subjects How hard are they? In junior high, your schedule dedicates specific amounts of time to core subjects (social studies, math, etc.) and to optional courses as well. Each year is a bit more challenging than the last, but I found that putting even a bit of effort into doing my homework or projects easily kept me on the right track. Procrastination With all the changes going on around you, homework is the last thing that you might worry about. But procrastinating on school assignments can lead to a couple of problems. Get in a good habit now, as you’ll be doing homework for the next few years. By all means, give yourself study breaks and be open to other activities – balance is important – but don’t get in the habit of leaving all your homework to the night before.

Grip’s official back-to-school survival guide

Social Life Friends You’re starting to grow up, you’ve been around your parents for too long, and you want to start hanging out with some (new) friends. But then you realize, “Hey, why are all these cliques popping up?” Yes, a bad thing about junior high is that it doesn’t feel like a small family anymore, and people start hanging out in specific groups. Don’t fret over it though, here’s how you can ease your anxieties about your social life: • Find people you enjoy being around Seek out people who genuinely make you feel good about yourself, not because you feel forced to hang out with them or just because they’re popular. • Smile I find many teens don’t look at each other in the hallways, so if you take a quick second just to make eye contact with somebody and smile, people will naturally think of you as an approachable person. • Confidence It’s a very odd time in your life, but if you can build up the courage to be confident (and a bit a humour helps, too), people will want to be around you because you are fun. • Dating It’s a weird time in your life where you are feeling your first attraction to someone, but none of you can drive yet. As important as it is, never forget that dating means having fun. At this point in life, things like money and work are not a must. At its core, dating is about having fun

with someone you feel an attraction to. So even if it doesn’t work out, you can look back and say, “Wow, I don’t regret going on that date because I enjoyed myself.”

Stay Organized Lockers In junior high I was given something that I had no idea how to use at the time, and that object was my locker. I used to have a small cubby hole in elementary, but nothing where I could fit my shoes, textbooks and lunch into, all at the same time. Naturally, a locker gives you a good amount of space for your school-related belongings, but I learned that organizing it can save you a lot of stress (and net you many compliments about how nice your locker looks). Extracurricular Activities Although not as big of a deal as it is in high school, participating in extracurricular activities in junior high gives you a good feel for what’s to come, and to explore your interests without feeling too pressured.

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By Evan Tran

done earlier, you won’t be one of those people updating your Facebook status at 3 a.m. complaining about unfinished homework.

Social Life Friends Friends mean a great deal to many teens in high school. It’s a time when you’re starting to figure out your identity, and having like-minded people around you can make your adventure through school that much easier. The guide I compiled for the junior high list spills over into the high school category; here’s a quick checklist of things you can do to maximize your social life. • Be around people who you enjoy • Smile • Show confidence • Put yourself out there Dating Dating in high school is often the talk of the school community. It’s not about who likes who anymore, it’s about who is willing to act on those feelings. Dating takes a more serious tone at this stage of school, but it’s important to never forget the real reason behind dating: to have fun. Take a girl to the movies or walk through the park. It’s less about what you’re doing and more about how well you connect and converse.

Stay Organized

Taking part in extracurricular activities gives you a break from sitting in a desk all day, and it’s a great way to meet new people and learn what your strengths are.

SENIOR HIGH School Subjects How hard are they? If grades weren’t a priority in junior high, they are in senior high school. Think about this: you’re almost done your 12 years of schooling and you’re entering the final stretch. If you do well in your core subjects and options, you might actually get paid for your hard work in the form of scholarships for post-secondary education. The better your marks, the greater your academic reputation and scholarship opportunity! Procrastination We’ve all done it. Had nights where we stay up until 4 a.m. finishing an English essay. It’s really not that fun. Trust me, if you get assignments

Lockers You’ll once again be given a locker and by now it should kick in that organizing it properly (with inexpensive racks and pencil holders) will help save you from disorganized doom. Extracurricular Activities An extracurricular activity in high school is like the ketchup on a hot dog. Getting involved in activities such as sports, acting, tutoring, etc., really liven up your time in high school. Not only does it help expand your social life, but volunteering your time definitely shows character and can help you land that scholarship or future job. I always wanted to go back in time and give myself some lifechanging advice, not just because it would be fantastic to bend the laws of time, but also to make sure my past self didn’t make the same mistakes again. Since I won’t be able to magically travel to the past with a time machine, the next best thing is to give advice to you, dear readers. Hopefully, it makes the transition into the school year much easier for you. And the biggest lesson of all: even with all the advice in the world, you’re going to mess up. Sure, it’s easier when you have the help and support of others, but you’re still going to struggle at some things. But know it’s not a bad thing because every time you fail, you get stronger, you gain some wisdom, and you’ll mature more as a person. Plus, recounting such stumbles makes for a great story when you’re hanging out with your peers. So get out there, have fun and be prepared to fall down and get back up again. griponlife.ca

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Time to T By Matt Hirji

A new program addresses the isolation young people struggling with suicidal thoughts face, by making sure they have someone to turn to

hen Margo Husby first joined the Community Helpers Program, she didn’t know the impact she would have on the lives of those around her. But it became quite clear earlier this year, when the University of Calgary professor received an email from a student in the program she had spoken to about the person’s mental health. As she read the email, it was reconfirmed to her that a helping hand to a distressed person can mean the difference between life and death. “I had a couple students who were going through some really tough times. I knew that they were fighting some difficult issues. Through my training, I knew how to help,” Husby says. “At the end of this school year, I had emails from three individuals telling me that they hadn’t killed themselves as a result of our conversations … it’s very powerful stuff.” The Community Helpers Program, operated by Alberta Health Services, works to eliminate instances when young people choose suicide over reaching out for help. The program’s solution is to offer training to community members, such as Husby, so that they can become a trusted resource for youth experiencing trouble. Rather than waiting for a distressed person to reach his or her breaking point and then intervening in the emergency room, the program offers opportunities to community members to strengthen their support skills so they can, in turn, be the knowledgeable, trusted resource for those reaching out for help. “Young people go to their peers for support, but often their peers don’t know what to do if somebody is thinking about suicide. It’s not something we know how to talk about,” says Catherine Davis, an injury

prevention co-ordinator at Alberta Health Services. “But if our social support networks are trained to identify those things and they feel comfortable approaching people and asking questions, we can get people help. The [Community Helpers Program] is based on a philosophy that when we’re experiencing troubles, whatever they may be, we usually go to somebody that we feel safe with and we talk it over with them. When we are in trouble we may not go to professionals; instead we go to our organic support groups.” It can be difficult when we are faced with problematic situations in our lives. The stresses of being a young adult can often feel overwhelming. When we start to feel this way, or if we are depressed, it can even be a challenge to find the right person to talk to about our troubles. Without support, some teens may harm themselves as a coping mechanism. Some teens may choose to end their pain by ending their lives. The Community Helpers Program stops this cycle. In combination with more traditional practices of suicide prevention through awareness, the program encourages community members to be more willing to step in and help while becoming more attune to the isolation that young people face when they are struggling with suicidal thoughts. The training given to people as part of the program is extensive due to its importance: Alberta, compared to other provinces, has the highest suicide rate among young people aged 15 to 24. There’s no straightforward answer as to why this is, but one factor is that Albertans may have lower social cohesion levels – the bonds that bring people together – and

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o Talk

“The domino effect is incredible,” Davis says. “When somebody shows a concern, it breaks down the barriers that the troubled person has put up. They realize that they don’t have to be ashamed of themselves because they’re struggling. I think what the program does, in a broad sense, is that it starts to normalize the fact that everybody struggles and it’s OK to ask for help.” According to Adriana Tullusi, a Community Helpers Program co-ordinator, reducing the alienation that can come along with internal pain is the first step to healing. Even one honest conversation could save a life. “Nobody gets through life without a helping hand. But the more and more I talk to people, I realize how much mental health is stigmatized,” Tullusi says. “This program breaks down those walls because it gets the word out. It gets people more comfortable talking about mental heath, and then hopefully starts getting them the help they need. Personally, I think that’s fantastic.”

Take Note, Take Action

may place more emphasis on other things, such as economic well-being. The program offers a series of sessions, combined with readings, which address a range of topics, from substance abuse to sexual orientation. This training makes youth issues more understandable to community leaders. The reason for this approach, Davis explains, is based on the idea that young people die by suicide because of a whole series of complicated circumstances that build up over time. As these problems compound, it’s easy for youth to get caught in a downward spiral of negative thoughts and when they can’t find anybody willing or able to help, they sometimes turn to self-harm to cope. “When somebody dies by suicide, it’s not just about just one thing. Maybe that person didn’t have anybody else that he thought he could turn to. Maybe he didn’t have the best coping skills,” Davis says. “This program is about suicide prevention, but it’s also about recognizing somebody in distress, and going to them to open up that conversation. It’s about saying, ‘You know what? I’m concerned about you. I think there is something that’s going on. Do you want to talk about it?’ Sometimes if somebody comes in from the outside to give another perspective, it can get them out of that thought cycle.” The Community Helpers Program now operates in 14 cities and towns across Alberta. Since implementing the strategy of community-supported healing, this program has built stronger bonds between people in the community by showing that it’s OK to ask for help. In the process, lives have been saved.

More than 450 Albertans die by suicide each year – that’s worth talking about. There’s no shame in needing to talk to someone about something as serious as suicide, especially if you’re the one suffering from such negative feelings, or, if you suspect a loved one is considering suicide – that’s when talking to someone, anyone, is most important. • The Kids Help Phone (www.kidshelpphone.ca) has a 24-hour help line for youth to contact counsellors any time they need someone to talk to: 1-800-668-6868. • The Youth Hotline (www.messedup.ca) provides various resources, one being the Suicide Prevention Bureau’s Teens Helping Teens Crisis Line 1-877-803-TEEN (8336) that is open to anyone who needs to talk about any issue. • The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) lists each province’s crisis contact information on its website (www.suicideprevention.ca). • The Centre for Suicide Prevention, a not-for-profit education centre in Calgary, has a Teen Suicide Resource Toolkit to download from its website (www.suicideinfo.ca), which lists warning signs, risk factors and more about youth and suicide. • Facebook now has an instant chat session for people that are expressing suicidal thoughts. Facebook doesn’t go surfing for suicidal comments; rather, if a friend spots a suicidal thought on someone’s page, he can report it to Facebook by clicking a link next to the comment. Facebook then sends an email to the person who posted the suicidal comment encouraging them to call the hotline or click on a link to begin a confidential chat.

LEARN MORE Anybody interested in getting involved in the Community Helpers Program – be it as a community helper or a youth looking for mentorship – can contact Catherine Davis at 403-943-6721 for more information.

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The link between physical activity and mental health provides yet another reason to be active By J. L. Tran

et’s face it: In today’s busy world, it can be hard to find time to look after our health. It’s wedged in between our social lives, eating, sleeping, working and weekend fun. We spend a large part of our days sitting – on the bus, in a desk at school, in front of a computer or TV screen – and far less time moving. While playing on a sports team can help us to schedule physical activity into our day, not every teen participates on such a team. Even though it can be hard to find time to go for a run or attend a yoga class, physical activity is good for us. We’ve heard it before – regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, and helps prevent things such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer and obesity. Exercise has also been shown to benefit our mental health, as it reduces stress levels, increases energy, and improves sleep. Grip writer J. L. Tran interviewed two physical activity and fitness experts to learn more about the link between physical activity and mental health, as well as how we can leave room in our busy lives to stay active. Below, Laura Crawford and Brett Thompson, program facilitators for Health Promotion, Disease & Injury Prevention at Alberta Health Services, share their insight with Grip.

How important is exercise to a person’s mental health? What is the link between physical activity and mental health? A: Research notes that mental health is made up of a number of different markers. Guy Falkner, a lead in the field from the University of Toronto,

notes these can include self-esteem, physical symptoms of psychological well-being, such as how someone sleeps, and whether a person is stressed, depressed or what their immediate mood is like. From information collected, it has also been shown that exercising at a moderate to vigorous intensity causes a physiological response of serotonin and endorphins to be released, contributing to an improvement in a person’s mood or self esteem. However, Guy Falkner also suggests a short 10 minute walk at a low intensity can also provide benefits. Although not working at an intensity that would elicit a physiological response (serotonin and endorphins), a short walk or break may allow you a “time out” from a negative or stressful situation to gain a new perspective, thereby benefiting your mental well being.

How can physical activity help mental health – both as a preventative measure and during or after treatment?

Research points to exercise being useful over both the short term and the long term to people who have clinical depression. Studies have shown that individuals [with clinical depression] who are physically active are less likely to be depressed at a later point in time, maybe five to 10 years later. A recent study done over a 12-month period showed a link between the reductions of depression felt over the long term with individuals who kept up with an exercise program.

What is your recommendation for people who find themselves too occupied to frequently monitor their health/physical activity? A: For youth aged 12 to 17 the goal, according to the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, is to accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. As well, all types of physical activity count, as long as they’re done at a moderate or vigorous intensity. Examples include brisk walking,

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swimming, hip-hop dancing, cross-country skiing, basketball, soccer and martial arts. The possibilities are endless! The important thing is to make it part of your everyday living, such as biking to school, getting together with friends to be active, going for a jog, participating in a fitness class, or joining a recreational activity or gym facility. By gradually increasing activity time and intensity you’ll reduce the chance of injury, especially when doing new activities. For example, add 10 minutes of daily activity each week until you reach the 60 minutes per day. Moderate-intensity activity is defined as when you are exercising, you feel your heart beat a little faster and your body starts to feel a bit warm or sweaty. You breathe more deeply, and you can carry on a short conversation, but not sing. Vigorous-intensity activity means that when you are exercising, you feel your heart beat a lot faster and you may sweat a lot more. You breathe rapidly, and you’re only able to say a few words

without pausing for breath. Your heart and muscles are working hard.

Are there any sports or activities that have been found to greatly improve physical and mental health that you would recommend to our readers? A: Research has shown exercise to be a great way for people to deal with stress, manage any depression and keep their minds, as well as their bodies, healthy. Look for activities that you enjoy. Some may enjoy the company of others to uplift, motivate and provide camaraderie so team sports such as volleyball, hockey, basketball, soccer, or baseball would be a good fit. Others may find enjoyment in individual sports and activities that can be done alone or in a group setting, such as golf, yoga, skiing, fitness classes, running etc. There is not one activity that will improve mental health more than another. The key is to have a routine and strive to be active every day.

Engage Your Body There’s not much you need to know before you get moving. Here are the basic guidelines for physical activity for youth, from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. • Youth aged 12 to 17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate-to vigorousintensity physical activity daily • Vigorous-intensity activities (such as running or rollerblading) are recommended at least three days per week • Activities that strengthen muscle and bone are recommended at least three days per week • Being active for at least 60 minutes daily can help teens improve their health; do better in school; improve their ﬁtness; grow stronger; have fun playing with friends; feel happier; maintain a healthy body weight; improve self-conﬁdence and learn new skills griponlife.ca

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Portfolio In each issue of Grip, we feature creative works from our readers – poetry, personal essays, short stories, illustrations, comic strips and photography.

Barren Bench BY STEPHEN DAHL

Autumn Dashboard Lights

BY LUNA WANG

BY SILVA BAITON

How cold the night And the streetlights disappearing Over the windshield.

Swift, unpredictable, ever-changing and instant, that’s my life. Nothing ever remains the same. Good things blossom, then wither. Emotions are played with, then crushed. People come, only to go. And when the end comes, it comes instantly, like a bullet. There’s no time to think, no time to move. Soon, too soon, the winter’s ﬁrst frost comes. So many changes in so little time. Yet the end always comes.

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Winning submissions are awarded $50. They are also featured in the magazine and on the website at www.griponlife.ca. Send in your submissions to creative@griponlife.ca

US BY MARCELLE TRINKAUS

The time that ties us together May seem to disappear We may have had good times For thee may shed a tear This beauty I see so close to me For not be taken for granted For you loved me in lonely times For this I may have chanted You look at me so very sweet

I wish for you to be mine Sitting along this empty world For things may seem to be ďŹ ne You to me so very sweet You showed me how I can love Alone I think of this lonely poem You are the one I have loved Love for you we may share For when I love you; I know you care

Hipster Dog BY RAY DAVIDSON

Flower BY JAVERIA FARRUKH

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Portfolio

Rainbow Bubbles BY MASUMA SHEIKH

Can’t Stop It BY SILVA BAITON

Leaves plow along – maybe it’s the thought of cold making their hearts break.

Forever BY MARCELLE TRINKAUS

Sitting in my darkened area Thinking of what to say This dreary night has come to me For I not pass away Stormy says for rainy nights Wishing on my holy one I have come to pray to pass on life As thee were to run For I shall not be discouraged I believe in life to come For I not see my daily trail For tis not to be condemned

Tiasale BY SILVA BAITON

Flower BY JAVERIA FARRUKH

The fog’s destiny does not matter to us because soon it is gone.

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Percieved Globalization BY HOLLY MIDKIFF

Believe BY JASMINE SCHNURER

Some say life is pain and that we all experience it in our own way But could you imagine a day when the pain just ﬂies off and goes away? Where difference and judgment were just words that we say Sayings with no meanings or grieving Sayings that don’t deﬁne us because of our friends or feelings A day when it’s OK to be different and say what you think A day we forget what society thinks and remember why our own heart beats That day when we all wake up and there are only rights no wrongs Where we are no longer judged by our thoughts or our favourite songs A life where we can feel young, wild, and free A life where it’s OK just to be you and me I know this poem started like a speech about life but in truth you can’t tell stories until you start living yours off right. Forget what society labels is true, because in the end you don’t differ from the models, it’s true as we are all the same the only difference is our hands and our shoes so stop believing society and start believing in you.

15-year-old RESHMA SIRAJEE of Edmonton has been making origami sculptures for four years. Reshma describes the process for Grip: “I started doing origami in Grade 6 when I went to a summer camp and learned how to make the paper crane. After that I started folding papers and saw other people’s work and just got reeled into it. The sculptures that I made in these pictures were made with over 300 small pieces of papers. All the folded pieces were put together to get the resulting model. It usually takes me about two to three hours to fold the small pieces of paper and about one hour to put the whole thing together.”

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Portfolio

Spider Web BY LUNA WANG

I’m like a spider and a web, both at the same time. As the spider, I’m forced to constantly repair the web — also me—when sticks and stones blow through. I build and I build, trying to sustain this delicate being any way I can, because that’s my job, until I don’t know what I’m left with anymore. Not anymore. All that stares back at me is a tangled labyrinth of threads, crisscrossing all over the place. I step back, appraise my work, but at the same time, I don’t even know what I’m looking at. Even though I was the one who made it. As the web, I’m constantly torn apart and rebuilt in a different way each time. Strands of my fragile yet insistent time fall off, branch from the un-uniﬁed whole, attaching myself onto things I don’t want to be attached to. And once I’m on, I can’t stop; not until someone breaks that part of me and snaps me in half. Then, the spider side is working again. Repairing, rejuvenating, revitalizing myself —my body, my mind — into a fusion of last attempts into something I’m not. But then again, how do I know that I am not that if I don’t know what I am in the ﬁrst place?

Green Speaks BY HOLLY MIDKIFF

Happy Spring BY MAHMUDA SHEIKH

Terry Fox is Hope BY EVAN PROPP

Hope is the quiet tingling in the back of your mind Hope is what grows when it’s fed Hope is the story of Terry Fox Hope is a young man running across Canada to seek a cure Hope is the belief in a dream Hope is the echo of footsteps pounding on a lonely stretch of highway just before dawn Hope is the story of Terry Fox Hope is longing to step in Paciﬁc water Hope is millions of dollars in his name Hope is toughing through pain to accomplish your goals Hope is the story of Terry Fox

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Last Word Humour

Satirical “tips” to get you through the school year By Cody Powers Wait until the last minute on everything. Forget starting that big English project the night before and losing sleep … why not really challenge yourself and wait until the morning it’s due? As for studying for your math final this afternoon – the lunch hour is as good a time as any. And if you ever start doubting this approach, just repeat the mantra of every expert procrastinator: “never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.”

Speaking of lunch, never, ever pack a lunch. The convenience store beside your school should become your second home. The sugar-filled snacks are the perfect fuel for your long days, sure to provide you energy to the very end. You’ll quickly come to see that spending your hard-earned cash on convenience store treats is good for your wallet and for your health, trust me.

If your procrastination is getting in the way of your sleep, do I have a solution for you, dear reader. Bring a pillow to school! At first your teachers may hassle you a bit when they notice you getting your shuteye in class – so the smaller the pillow the better. Of course, the loud snoozers among us may have to disguise our snores. Practice after me, “teacher – I wasn’t snoring. That was my stomach grumbling. I am very hungry for lunch!”

Do not make new friends. A limited social circle is best achieved by saying no to all extracurricular activities, which is where potential new friends often hang out and prey on unsuspecting people. So ignore all sports teams and clubs and anywhere else where interesting people might be spending their time. You don’t need new friends, of course, because they will quickly fill your schedule with hangouts and activities that may sound fun, but really aren’t. Hanging out at the convenience store is much more fun than anything they have planned, trust me.

Study schmudy. While you’ll have lots of free time on your hands this year (thanks to your successful efforts to deter all potential friends), that time is not best spent studying, contrary to what your parents and teachers may try and convince you. Don’t listen to them! Studying is boring and leaves little time for watching TV. An exception to this rule can be made if you are studying while watching a TV show, because then at least you are still doing something worthwhile.

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