Grip Spring 2015 by Venture Publishing

G 2015 SPRIN

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Meet Zander Hartman

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He took on Alberta’s biggest politicians in the Bill 10 debate

Make the Leap

From high school to the “real world”

Robb Nash’s message of strength strikes a chord

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17 what’s inside

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS 4

The Choices Issue:

Welcome to Grip A message from a Grip contributor, plus an introduction to three of our writers

Everyday we’re faced with dozens of choices. This issue of Grip looks at how to consider what lies ahead of us, how to plan for our future and what we can do to make better decisions. The Big Choice Often, big life decisions can seem insurmountable. One teen shows us how he took on the pressure of making a change BY EVAN TRAN

Everything You Need to Know… About mindfulness BY IRTIZA OYON

Be the Change Feeling overwhelmed by doom-and-gloom scenarios? Follow these suggestions to make a positive impact on the world around you BY CHRISTINE GREEN

Yours to Keep How do you know when it’s time to tell a secret? BY JASMINE BLACKETT

How to Pro and Con There’s no point making a pro and con list if you don’t do it effectively. Here are some tips for making your pro and con list the best it can be What’s Stopping You? How do you draw the line between “smart risk” and “stupid risk”? BY SANDY XIN XU

Making the Leap Grip contributors through the years give you some advice on the big jump from high school to The Real World The Grass is Greener How better decision making skills can help you avoid looking back with regret BY LUNA YANG

Debate: Are our selfies truly a reflection of ourselves? Two Grip writers debate the true meaning of selfies BY TAYLOR MASTERS AND SANDY XIN XU

18 21 22 24 26 28 30 32 34

News and views A surefire way to ace your learner’s license exam, a teen in the NWT hosts her own radio show, the Edmonton STEM Expo encourages teens in science and music, book and game reviews

Off the Wall A really important collection of must-know trivia. Trust us

36 COVER ILLUSTRATION: KIEL HUNKA

Fan Fare Robb Nash’s message of strength strikes a chord BY CHANTELLE FOISIE

This Is... Zander Hartman He helped lobby the provincial government to pass Bill 10, making schools a more inclusive place for everyone BY LYNDSIE BOURGON

Portfolio The creative spirit thrives in Alberta! Check out photography, art and words submitted by teens across the province

Dodge Sonny finds himself saddled with a big decision

Last Word A starter pack for your summer vacation Explorations in the Underworld Hashtags are the newest way to talk about depression, self-harm and suicide

BY ERIN EMILY ANN VANCE

The Walking Wounded Some of television’s most popular shows deal with post-traumatic stress disorder in real ways BY J.M.M. LEWIS

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04 From a Grip Contributor

ello readers, and thanks for cracking open the final issue of Grip. The team behind Grip – Venture Publishing, Alberta Health Services and youth contributors from across Alberta – have been hard at work to deliver you teen-driven content for nine years. Issues of the magazine published in the spring and fall have included book, CD and game reviews, debates on timely topics, feature articles and interviews that have exposed all of us to the sheer breadth of the teenage experience. This issue addresses the topic of “choices” and how they affect our lives. Our contributors consider the decisions we need to make, big and small – from what TV shows to watch and books to read to what schools to apply to and whether or not we should spill a secret. In this issue we also feature stories about the use of self-harm hashtags in online communities, the recent debates about GSAs in Alberta schools and an ode to the pro and con list. Some choices are easy to make, and some require long deliberation. Recently, Alberta Health Services chose to make this the last issue of Grip. It wasn’t an easy decision – no doubt lists were written, passionate discussions were had and many phone calls were made. In the end, someone had to sit down and make the final choice – that this would be the end of the road. Grip has brought humour, inspiration and encouragement to thousands of students from Alberta during its time in publication. Young writers across the province have had the chance to be published in an uplifting and challenging environment. There is no doubt that the hole left behind by this landmark publication will be noticeable and how incredible is that? In that spirit, let’s make a choice. A choice to never give up and to hold the mandate of Grip in our hearts even as this publication comes to an end. Young people deserve a voice, deserve a community and deserve help. We can continue to provide those things for one another. Thank you to the amazing team who has worked so ceaselessly for this magazine! Thank you to the contributors who have consistently shared their words for nine years and to the artists who have made those words look so darn good. Thank you to those who have edited our work, those who printed and distributed it across the province and to those who have contributed expert advice for all our questions. Enjoy this issue of Grip, and best of luck on the journey ahead. We’ve got every faith in you, and the choices you’ll make. J.M.M. Lewis

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Contributors Spring 2015 | Volume 9, No. 1 PUBLISHER

Ruth Kelly

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Rachel Carr

MANAGING EDITOR

Lyndsie Bourgon | creative@griponlife.ca DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM CONTENT

Mifi Purvis

EDITORIAL ADVISORS

Deb Gray, Krista Warners ART DIRECTOR

Charles Burke

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Andrea deBoer

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ben Rude

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Betty Feniak Smith

PRODUCTION TECHNICIANS

Brent Felzien, Brandon Hoover DISTRIBUTION

Fiona Marchetto is almost 12 years old. She has written for publications such as Press Plus 1, the Canadian Film Review and runs her own blog, Calgary Kid Critic (calgarykidcritic.wordpress.com). In 2013, she was also a judge in the Calgary International Film Festival’s Youth by Youth Competition. She has also been playing the violin for eight years and has opened for the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Check out her book review on pg. 10.

Karen Reilly | getgrip@griponlife.ca CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lauren H. Berry, Jasmine Blackett, Priya Croft, Deena Goodrunning, Louise Fournier, Christine Green, Chantelle Foisie, Jessica Highstead, J.M.M. Lewis, Catherine Lieu, Fiona Marchetto, Taylor Masters, Irtiza Oyon, Marlee Salas, Reshma Sirajee, Evan Tran, Erin Emily Ann Vance, Meesha Wittkopf, Sandy Xin Xu, Luna Yang CONTRIBUTING CONTENT EXPERTS

Heather Cobb, Kaitlin Niksic, Christie Mellan, Matthew Miller, Michele Pentyliuk, Dexa Stoutjesdyk, Robyn Romano, Tammy Troute-Wood, Brian Zelt CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ILLUSTRATORS

Elizabeth Alloway, Buffy Goodman, Sydney Desjarlais, Eric Gravel, Keil Hunka, Sophia Lengle, Pandy Ma, James MacDonald, Jordyn Olth, Heeyeong Park, Jared Propp

Taylor Masters is a grade 12 student who is both excited and terrified about graduating high school. She is looking forward to starting college in fall of 2015, when she’ll start her Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in English. She hopes to become a journalist and work for National Geographic. She enjoys reading and riding horses, loves to play her guitar and enjoys participating in her school’s many musicals and plays.

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 2015 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

Jasmine Blackett lives in Calgary and will graduate next year. She hopes to study criminal psychology in school. Aside from writing, she leads an active and healthy lifestyle, and is a competitive track and field athlete. She’s also interested in writing and music. Check out her story, on telling secrets, on pg. 24.

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

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it HAPPENS | News

News

Where Your Passion STEMs From By Reshma Sirajee

Here’s a question: Would you rather sit at home doing biology questions for hours or go to a science camp and do boundless biology experiments? I think we can all agree the second option seems more exciting, and that’s what Alberta’s Science Expo is there for. The Science Expo Youth Empowerment Group is one of Canada’s largest student organizations, engaging students in STEM (that’s science, technology, engineering and math) opportunities outside of the classroom and giving students a chance to explore at their annual expo conferences. I was first introduced to the Science Expo by my high school teachers, and enjoyed it so much that I have since become part of the Science Expo Ambassador Program. Getting involved in the science community in Edmonton was a way to gradually come out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to pursue my passion in

science. As a result, I have become more comfortable in my own skin. Being a part of Science Expo, I have taken the initiative to organize activities related to STEM at my school and aspire to share my passion with other ambitious students. There are many programs that Science Expo offers, including the annual conference in Edmonton that takes place in September 2015. There is also a peer mentorship program and student and teacher outreach programs. WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you’re interested in learning more about the Science Expo, sign up for the email newsletter, which delivers information about upcoming opportunities in Alberta and the annual conference right to your inbox. Check out science-expo.org and make sure to like us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Tuning in to Feel Real Radio By Jessica Highstead

Every week, radio host Jacey Firth produces a show called Feel Real Radio. The program is produced from the Northwest Territories and can be streamed from anywhere in the world. The show is centred on teen issues, like alcohol and drugs, traditions, school and living your life to the fullest.

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“Feel Real Radio was born as an idea to inspire and celebrate NWT youth,” says Firth, who started the show when she was just 19 years old. Feel Real Radio is part of a provincial program called My Voice, My Choice, which empowers youth to make healthy choices. Firth grew up in the small northern community of Inuvik, and says she “knows how easy it is to feel alone.” Firth’s radio show reaches out to guests from across the North who are doing awesome things in their communities. Guests on the show talk about everything from being LGBTQ to depression, alcoholism, sports, community service and creativity. Sometimes, they even provide the entertainment. Firth says it’s youth that keep her motivated while making the show. “Our show celebrates everything that’s great about youth,” she says. “For the last three months we’ve had a contest where NWT youth could nominate other youth who they think are awesome. We had some amazing nominations every month.” Visit MyVoiceMyChoice.hss.gov.nt.ca/feel-real-radio to give the show a listen.

MY DUSTY BOOKSHELF Pride and Prejudice By Jane Austen

Reviewed by Jessica Highstead It’s a truth universally acknowledged that any person in want of a good, romantic book must check out Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Sure it’s romance, but it’s not the sort of romance that leaves you bored or wishing for more. Generally, romance novels get cast aside because they can seem all the same: they have no adventure and they move too slowly. Pride and Prejudice is nothing like that. This book is a coming of age story that follows proper ladies in society as they try to find a good husband, attend the right events, secure a future and stay wealthy. In it we follow the five Bennet sisters, though we focus on one sister in particular: Elizabeth. Stubborn, independent and incredibly smart, Lizzy doesn’t have

time for rude, overbearing or distant suitors. Unfortunately, her mother is determined to marry off as many of her daughters as she can, and quick. Elizabeth is so busy dealing with her dramatic mother and sisters that it’s no wonder she doesn’t have time for the haughty Mr. Darcy. He’s handsome and wealthy, but also distant and rude. And he definitely doesn’t like the Bennets. Except, of course, for Elizabeth. Grade: B+ Not because it isn’t excellent, but because Austen’s characters are occasionally ramblers and with the writing style it can be hard to focus after lengthy narratives. Another demerit comes because, as pretty and cute as it is, that’s all it is. You can’t read this book if you’re looking for adventure or comedy. Still, it’s a love story through and through.

Keep the Hunger at Bay By Louise Fournier

It’s study season: after hours on end spent forcing your brain to prepare for exams, you need a chance to reboot with a healthy snack. Next time you’re scanning the pantry wondering what you could possibly eat, try one of these ideas:

Nachos This recipe is super simple and it is easy to get creative with, depending on what you like and what you have in the house: Grab a baking tray, some tortilla chips, vegetables, cheese and any other toppings you like. Spread the chips evenly on a baking tray and cover with a handful of cheese. Next, cut up vegetables like peppers or green onions to garnish the dish with. Once these vegetables are sliced up, go ahead and sprinkle them on top of the cheese-covered chips. Place in the oven or microwave and cook until the cheese has completely melted. Remove from the oven and indulge while studying.

Potato Skins This recipe takes a bit longer, but the end result is worth the effort: First you’ll need some potatoes, salt, pepper, butter and optional bacon bits or green onions. Preheat the oven to 400oF (200oC), then wash and cut the potatoes into thin slices. Butter both sides of the potato slices and sprinkle them with the salt and pepper. Cover a baking tray in aluminum foil and spread a thin layer of oil or cooking spray on it. Place the seasoned potato slices on the tray then pop them in the oven. Turn the slices after 15 minutes or when they look golden brown, then cook for another 15 minutes. Once the potatoes have cooked, add the cheese and any other toppings you want before placing back in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Don’t put the green onions on until after the cheese is melted and you’re about to eat!

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it HAPPENS | News

News

Text Your Way Through It

By Taylor Masters

have limited hours, but Romano says the Distress Centre is working towards having 24/7 access. “Texting is more private and much more accessible to youth nowadays,” she says. “It’s rare that you see a youth with their phone up to their ear, it’s much more common to see them texting and playing games on their phone.” One of the main differences that Romano has noticed between the call line, chatrooms and text line is that the conversations seem to have gotten longer. According to 2014 tracking, here’s what teens are talking about most:

For 32 years, Distress Centre Calgary has been there for youth. Its ConnecTeen Program provides a distress line over the phone and online, and over the past two years they have also been running a text message service that connects youth with youth volunteers who provide peer support. At first, the Distress Centre started a texting pilot project in Calgary’s Branton Junior High. With more and more teens communicating by text, they saw positive results quickly and launched a full-swing text line in November 2013. And it has proven to be

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really popular: “The total chatroom activity has gone down drastically just in 2014 due to the text line,” says Robyn Romano, a volunteer team lead at the Distress Centre. The total number of text conversations that took place in 2014 was 1253, the total chatroom conversations were 521 and the number of phone calls was 687. “The goal was to help more youth from wherever they are. It’s hard sometimes for them to access the Internet or a computer, so the text line opens up a whole new way to get support.” Right now, the text and chatroom services

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Psychological distress Relationships Friendships Depression Suicide Anxiety Family Loneliness and isolation Their parents Self-esteem

TEXT: 587-333-2724 PHONE: 403-264-TEEN CHAT: calgaryconnecteen.com

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS Students across Alberta are finding success with a learner’s license study prep kit and app By Taylor Masters It’s a well-kept secret that might just help you get ahead: for four years, the Learner’s License Prep Kit has been helping youth pass their learner’s license exam all over Alberta. Through flashcards and a new mobile app, registered psychologists Dexa Stoutjesdyk and Michele Pentyliuk have developed a test preparation kit that has helped many students pass their exam and get on the road. Stoutjesdyk says the flashcards and app help you retain information and make you a better driver. “The online practice tests are great for testing the knowledge but the flashcards are great for learning the knowledge,” she says. Calem Beddow, a 14-year-old who just passed his learner’s exam thanks to the kit, says those who use the learner’s kit should study one chapter at a time using the flash cards to master the material before moving on. Then come back every now and then to review old chapters and keep the information fresh. The app, which launched last September, includes flash cards, definitions and tutorial videos, and tells you how much of each chapter you know. It helps you learn to recognize what you know and what you don’t and works to help you understand the questions. Sales of the kits help raise funds and awareness for the Learning Disability Association of Alberta’s (LDAA) Right to Read program. This program helps screen children at a young age for reading problems. So far they have raised over $200,000 for the cause. BUY THE KIT You can buy your own kit at a local registry in your hometown. Visit www.driversprepkit.com/where-to-buy/ to find one. BUY THE APP The Learner’s License Prep Kit app costs $9.99 in the iTunes App Store or on Google Play.

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it HAPPENS | Reviews

Rev

Beach reads The Only Thing to Fear By Caroline Tung Richmond REVIEWED BY FIONA MARCHETTO

In The Only Thing to Fear, Zara St. James lives in a dystopian past world of Nazis, where the Allies never won the Second World War and where freedom for all doesn’t exist. She wishes she could do something to help overthrow the Nazis, but she can’t because her overprotective Uncle Red refuses to let her join the Alliance, a rogue group of rebels scattered amongst “the Territories” (the United States), formed to bring down the Nazi Empire. Uncle Red will stop at nothing to make sure Zara is safe, and Zara is faced with a choice: freedom or death. The way Tung Richmond presents her hypothetical version of life under Nazi rule is full of intricate details. I thought the idea of anomaly soldiers – genetically-modified people who have super powers like flying, shooting ice and controlling wind – are a great addition to the book. They are kind of like what Captain America could have been, if he were made under the supervision of Nazis as opposed to American scientists. The anomaly soldiers are a little bit frightening, and I am very glad that they do not exist in real life (that I know of). I read this book over the span of two days; it was a definite page turner! Pre-teens and teenagers that like history and historic fiction would enjoy it. Teens who like to try and guess the ending of a book before it happens will also like this book. It gives lots of room for imagination on the reader’s part. Grade: B+ I thought The Only Thing to Fear was very creative and a wonderful book. I loved the characters, the order of events and all the detailed personalities and their scope of emotions. The beginning was a little slow, but even though it took a little bit for things to really get going, I couldn’t put the book down once they did.

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Girl Online By Zoe Sugg REVIEWED BY JASMINE BLACKETT

Penny Porter is a clumsy, constantly-embarrassed, curly-haired, not-overly-popular high school girl. Girl Online begins with Penny’s usual dilemmas in school, dealing with her so-called “best friend” Megan and the boy that she just dreams about asking her out, Ollie. The only escape Penny seems to have is through the Internet and her blog, where she keeps her identity secret as “Girl Online.” Girl Online is the first novel from YouTube vlogger Zoe Sugg, better known as Zoella. The book is your typical “let’s fall in love in one day” teen romance novel. It was a very easy read, and it was one that I wanted to continue reading just to find out what happens next. But I wasn’t impressed with the overall content of the book: it was easy to predict what was going to happen next. If you are looking for a quick, easy, non-complicated read then I would definitely recommend Girl Online, but I was not as impressed as I thought I would be with Sugg’s writing. As her YouTube videos have such character and flair to them, I expected the same from her book. Grade: B+ If you are looking for a comingof-age cheesy teen romance novel, then this is the book for you. Some of Penny’s embarrassing moments are downright cringe-worthy, but worth a little giggle.

eviews Grip reviewers recommend some books to help you laze away those summer days

The Buddha and the Borderline By Kiera van Gelder REVIEWED BY LOUISE FOURNIER

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can be characterized by many different symptoms, including impulsivity, unstable self-image and the need to prevent real or imagined abandonment. This novel explores what the world really looks like to someone who is viewing it through the lens of BPD. After a series of mistakes and bad relationships, Van Gelder finds a person who challenges her to take control of her life and learn how to live the life she has always wanted. Through their encouragement to seek help in the form of therapy and support groups, Van Gelder learns more about herself and ways to manage her condition. Van Gelder opens her heart up to her readers as she takes them through her recovery journey, which includes seeking solace in the practice of Buddhism. This is

a book that speaks of overcoming struggles no matter how difficult, of perseverance, of seeking help and creating a network that will always be there for you. This book shows how, for those with BPD, the disorder doesn’t have to define their lives. Grade: B The Buddha and the Borderline definitely opens your mind to the difficulties faced by those with Borderline Personality Disorder. The content is engaging and will cause you to cry, root for van Gelder and make you eager to know the outcome. I believe it’s important to warn readers that mature material is covered in this novel such as blood letters, sexual relations and intense swearing.

The Mara Dyer Trilogy By Michelle Hodkin REVIEWED BY ERIN EMILY ANN VANCE

Mara Dyer wakes up in a hospital with no recollection of how she got there. Her friends have all died in the collapse of the old asylum, and she can’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t just an accident. After changing schools, Mara finds herself drawn to the resident bad-boy, Noah Shaw. Noah is your typical male protagonist: he’s a jerk, and Mara (secretly) loves it. The two discover that they aren’t just two hot people attracted to each other. Something is different about them; something sinister. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the first book in the Mara Dyer trilogy, lacks female characters, even though the protagonist is a woman. The

love story is a bit clichéd, but it is still titillating in the sense that you might want to hide the book to protect your crush on Noah Shaw. The second book in the trilogy, The Evolution of Mara Dyer, provides an interesting link between the paranormal aspects of the novel and the underlying commentary on mental illness. It takes place largely in institutions similar to the one that collapsed on Mara and her friends in the first book. Hodkin is at work on the third book, The Retribution of Maria Dyer. Grade: A Although the Mara Dyer series is absolutely intoxicating and gains points in the diversity of its characters, it is a series to enjoy while looking at with a critical eye.

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it HAPPENS | Reviews

Summer sounds Make these the soundtrack to your summer vacation

Running with Scissors Janet Devlin REVIEWED BY JASMINE BLACKETT

Running with Scissors, released last summer, is Janet Devlin’s debut album. Thanks to her haunting lyrics and natural talent, this album has unsurprisingly received several great reviews. When Devlin sings, you automatically want to listen. Her voice is hypnotizing, compelling and delicate. If you are a fan of Ed Sheeran or Sam Smith, then this is an album I would recommend – it has similarly poetic and inspiring lyrics, soft voices and sweet music. At times, Running with Scissors sounds perfect only for the sad or wistful, and the music can be a bit too slow and fragile. But I like the way her voice emphasizes the poetry of the lyrics in her songs, and the

The Pinkprint Nicki Minaj REVIEWED BY IRTIZA OYON

After her party anthem “Anaconda” became a sensation overnight, the song served to define Nicki Minaj’s music: sexual, lighthearted and irresistibly catchy. But the work in her newest album, The Pinkprint, can’t be defined that simply. It’s full of raw emotion, talent and personal stories that reveal the confident young star’s vulnerabilities. With a title inspired by Jay-Z’s legendary Blueprint, Minaj has created her own print the female print, as shown by the simple album cover of a pink thumbprint. The Pinkprint surprises you with a new feel to each song; starting with the auto-

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biographical “All Things Go,” Minaj reflects on highly personal topics, like losing a child as a teen. “I Lied,” “The Crying Game” and “Grand Piano” exhibit Minaj’s impressive vocal range and take a leap out of her usual genre to appeal to pop enthusiasts. In “Feeling Myself,” Nicki, alongside the legendary Beyoncé, creates a theme song of confidence and empowerment. Grade: A- This album is Minaj’s most personal, and reflects many facets that any music enthusiast can identify with. She continues to grow as an artist, while emerging as a feminist icon.

music works well to complement her voice. Janet Devlin was originally a contestant on the British reality television show X Factor, and she has come a long way since she appeared on the program in 2011. Her style doesn’t fit into the pop and dance music that often characterizes the show, and now that she has embraced her singersongwriter style her true colours are shining bright. Grade: B+ For the inspiring (though often maudlin) lyrics, beautiful music and Devlin’s even more beautiful voice.

views The 1975 The 1975 REVIEWED BY MARLEE SALAS

The 1975’s debut, self-titled album comes on the heels of four previous EPs from the British indie-pop/rock band. The band has been performing, writing and playing music together for more than 10 years, and this album’s songs are mostly about the leader singer Matty’s life. The 1975 is full of bright songs, like “Chocolate,” “Girls” and “Settle Down.” From parties and road trips to studying and relaxing, this album is a great listen for all occasions. It has a 1980s vibe that leaves listeners humming and singing the tracks all day. There is a track for everyone on this album, whether it’s the moodier, bass filled song “Talk” or the cool, electronic groove of “Menswear.”

Same Trailer Different Park Kacey Musgraves REVIEWED BY TAYLOR MASTERS

In her album Same Trailer Different Park, Kacey Musgraves gives a realistic and down-to-earth view on life and its many challenges. This is Musgraves’ fourth album but her first on a big label. It has two hits that you might recognize: “Merry Go Round” and “Follow Your Arrow.” Staying true to the theme of the album, these songs really make you think about who you are as a person while maintaining a catchy and interesting beat. Musgraves co-wrote all 12 of the

Healy’s poetic lyrics create a thoughtful attitude that surrounds the songs, album and band. The 1975 is in the midst of recording a second album to build on the success of the first. Here’s hoping the second will be equivalent to the debut. Grade: A The 1975’s tracks each shine in their own way, melding into a phenomenal album that leaves everyone that listens to it with a new favourite. A band is like a team or a company, comprising many, it is still singular.

songs that are featured on the album, which has a very country feel to it. It kind of reminds me of Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn. The songs all have the same feel, and are often fun and catchy. I like Musgraves because she gives us insightful life lessons that teach us to look for the “silver linings” and “follow our own arrows.” Grade: B While Kacey Musgraves keeps the true country spirit alive and well with some good down-toearth music, all the tunes do sound somewhat the same. She does, however, give very good advice on how to live life to the fullest. GRIPMagazine

it HAPPENS | Reviews

Game Time

Off th

Here are Grip’s game picks for summer Title: Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask Platform: Nintendo 3DS Rating: T for Teen REVIEWED BY EVAN TRAN

The lure behind remaking Majora’s Mask for 3DS is rooted in a laundry list of perks: 3D graphics, updated visuals and, for those who played the original in the early2000s, an overall feeling of nostalgia. So, does the remake of Majora’s Mask hold up? The sequel to Ocarina of Time (which Nintendo also remade for the 3DS), Majora’s Mask is an odd game that gave me shivers as a child. Ganon, the mainstay villain of the series, isn’t present and Zelda is barely around throughout the quest. Instead, Majora’s Mask pits you against Skull Kid, who is in possession of an evil mask that calls upon the moon to destroy the world. Eventually, our titular hero, Link, stumbles into the foreign world of Termina. To prevent the end of this world in 72 hours, he has a few tricks up his sleeve: most notably, masks. Each mask lets Link change his physique to fit the situation. This game is meant to be replayed multiple times, and you can rewind time anytime during the 72 hours you have to save Termina to live those days over again. With a full night and day cycle, interactions change throughout the world depending on when you speak to its inhabitants, and the way Nintendo’s designers have done it is really refreshing. Grade: A Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3DS brings nostalgia, a host of vibrant and odd themes and plenty more Zelda adventure. The remake might have come earlier than expected, but the adventure is just as oddly enjoyable.

Title: Carcassonne Platform: Board game! Number of players: 2-5; best with 2 players Age: 13+ Average time to play: 40 minutes REVIEWED BY MEESHA WITTKOPF

Carcassonne is a strategic tile-laying game that keeps players thinking about their next move. It’s got a medieval look to it; the rad little castles and cathedrals set the mood and make the game, itself, even better. It’s a great game for those who are starting to get into the board game world or who just play them casually. It doesn’t get old; once you play, you’ll see why. The point of the game is to get the most points and to achieve this goal you have to build (and complete) cities, roads and fields. It’s a pretty simple game once you get the hang of it. You start off with one tile, and each player has their own pile of tiles. When your turn comes, you match the tile you pick up with the tile on the table; road-to-road, field-to-field, city-to-city. In order to claim cities, roads, fields, you have to place your meeple on the territory (but only if it is unclaimed). Grade: A The best thing about this game is that reflects how you want it to play. Overall, it can be a pretty calming game, unless you start stealing points from others (though to me personally, that’s the best part).

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The only word th 15 letter a spelled t can be without repeatin g “uncopy a letter is rightable ”!

“Fairy t ale are more s than tru e not beca : use they tell u that dra s gons exist, bu t because they tell us th a dragons t can be beate n Neil Gaim .” – Coraline an,

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est country is Did you know? The world’s new and located in Liberland, which is seven km sq ional anthem southeast Europe. It has a flag, nat was “founded” and provisional government and k it’s a joke. on April 13, 2015. Some people thin

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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? Experts at the Alberta Health Services can 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? Find help at: Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642 HEALTHLink: 8-1-1 This past January, two teenage girls in Ontario lobbied their provincial government and succeeded in having the province’s new sex education curriculum include discussions surrounding consent. In this issue of Grip, we’ve asked AHS sexual health specialists Tammy Troute-Wood and Heather Cobb to help us answer: “How do I know what consent really is and what do I need to know about consent in my personal relationships?” Sexual activity includes kissing, sexual touching and sexual intercourse (e.g. oral, anal, or vaginal). The choice to have sex is very personal. Consent means all partners agree to the sexual activity and everyone understands what they’re agreeing to. Partners must give and get consent every time they have sex.

Consent is: • needed for every sexual activity • understanding what you are saying yes to • asking your partner if they understand what they are saying yes to • checking in with your partner and accepting that they or you can change your mind Consent CANNOT be given when: • a person is drunk or high • a person is forced, threatened, bribed, intimidated or offered rewards to do something sexual Sexual activity without consent is sexual assault.

What do I need to know about sex and the law in Canada? Everyone has the right to make choices about sex. Consent laws are to protect you and help you enjoy healthy relationships. In Canada, age of consent means the legal age at which a youth can make a decision to have sex or not. The law says a 16-year-old can consent to sexual activity, except if: • the other person is in a position of authority

(e.g., teacher, coach or employer). By law, you must be 18 to have sex with a person in a position of authority. • the sexual activity is exploitative (e.g., porn, prostitution)

Are there exceptions to the law? What if I’m 14 or 15 and thinking of having sex? According to the law, a 14- or 15-year-old can consent to sexual activity if the partner is less than five years older and not in a position of authority.

What if I’m 12 or 13? According to the law, a 12- or 13 year-old can consent to sex if the partner is less than two years older and not in a position of authority.

What if I’m under 12? Children under 12 cannot consent to any sexual activity. Having sex with a child under the age of 12 is against the law and is sexual abuse.

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.

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THE CHOICES ISSUE Everyday, we’re faced with dozens of choices – some of them minor, some of them life-changing. This issue of Grip looks at how we make choices, how to consider what lies ahead of us, how to plan for our future and what we can do to make the decision-making process easier.

THE BIG CHOICE

ONE TEEN SHOWS US HOW HE TOOK ON THE PRESSURE OF MAKING A CHANGE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MINDFULNESS

YOURS TO KEEP

HOW TO PRO AND CON

26 30 32

HOW TAKING A PAUSE CAN HELP US CALM DOWN

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO TELL A SECRET?

SOME TIPS TO HELP MAKE YOUR PRO AND CON LIST THE BEST THAT IT CAN BE

MAKING THE LEAP

GRIP CONTRIBUTORS GIVE YOU ADVICE ON THE BIG JUMP FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO “THE REAL WORLD”

THE GRASS IS GREENER

HOW MAKING GOOD DECISIONS CAN HELP YOU BANISH REGRET

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The

BIG

Choice Often, big life decisions can seem insurmountable. One teen shows us how he took on the pressure of making a change

By Evan Tran When I sat down with pen and paper, I knew the daunting task ahead of me: making a choice that would change the course of my education, and emotional well-being, forever. No pressure, right?

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20 High school was a difficult period in my life. It was in my first year of high school, when I began struggling with mental illness that had yet to be diagnosed. I was experiencing repetitive thoughts and the constant feeling of gloom. I had no real friends, and I was in a constant state of emotional anxiety about the people I was spending time with. I felt trapped. I began to consider switching schools. To help me narrow down my decision, I made a pro and con list that juggled the good and the bad of staying put. It didn’t surprise me when the con list was more exhaustive than I would have expected: I was stuck in a very toxic group of peers that hurt my self esteem and my school made me feel like I was trapped in a dungeon. Despite being in a sea of peers, I felt alone. With this in mind, I felt that the only logical choice I had was to switch schools. After I made up my mind, the next step was convincing my parents. This was hard – my grades were actually really good at the original school. Also, high school only lasts three years and this one was a five- minute walk from my house. In the end, the choice to change was a personal one, something I had to prove to myself. I would later realize that it wasn’t just the actual choice that put my emotions at ease, it was also the freedom that came from switching schools. I needed to rule out if my environment was causing this agony in my emotions, or something else. That being said, I was taking quite a huge risk. The high school that was causing me so much trouble was the same one both of my elder siblings went to, and graduated from back when they were my age. Additionally, this school had a good track record of producing honours students. I suppose part of the reason I was so adamant on changing schools, once I had made up my mind, was that I’d had good grades my whole life, but never had any feeling of companionship from my peers. That feeling was just so overwhelming that I thought no matter where I went my grades would stay high. Thus, the pain of staying became stronger than the pain of uncertainty. Initially, changing schools made me feel nervous. What if the new school I picked was

just as bad as this one? What if my grades ended up falling? How would I adjust to taking the bus every day when I’ve only been driven or walked to school my whole life? The concerns were endless. But that didn’t stop me from visiting open houses and appealing my case to my family. The most difficult person to convince was undoubtedly my father. My dad is a first-generation immigrant who experienced wars and was concerned with making a living his whole life. He was pretty unfamiliar with the tribulations and concerns of a typical high school teenager. That said, my situation was far from typical, and concerns about my mental health were peppered throughout my appeal to him. Though I had to fight my father every step of the way, he finally caved in, seeing just how much I was willing to fight. Plus, taking the hour-and-a-half bus ride to

check out open houses and send in the application for a new school. Having a deadline helped. Setting a time limit is also helpful for smaller decisions, such as what to wear in the morning. Try picking your outfit the night before, using an egg timer. Pros and cons: Sometimes all it takes are two columns on a sheet of paper. Writing out the positives and negatives and seeing them visually will help you get a sense of how your choice may affect you. Accept that you can’t have it all: Switching schools for me meant closing the door on the possibility that things would get better at my current school. But Miller recommends letting the past go. Decisions force us to close the door on other possibilities. Live in the present, he suggests, where choices today will make a difference in the future. More thinking is not always better thinking: Miller says that research can reach a point of diminishing returns, becoming more confusing than clarifying. Good decisions can be based as much on intuition as on assessment. Likewise, the agony of choice can be almost addicting. Instead of obsessing over past wrongs and possible missteps, become a compassionate and curious detective whose job isn’t to judge the choice. Instead, learn about yourself and find the good in all of your choices. Trust your intuition: Intuition is an impression; it can be an important source of information you don’t fully understand. Just be wary of confusing it with impulsiveness – an emotional need within a particular moment. Just make a choice: Pay attention to the new reality and see what is working, what isn’t, and then make a new choice based on this new information. Don’t judge the choice or yourself. The most helpful aspect is learning, and then taking that knowledge to create better future decisions. Some decisions don’t work out as expected; that doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. Even after making all the right decisions, sometimes the unexpected happens. It does you no favours to blame yourself for what happened. You couldn’t have known then what you know now, so don’t be hard on yourself.

Now I get kind of nostalgic, thinking back at that choice to change schools. And I realize that the primary cause of agony in decisionmaking is due to one word: anxiety.

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the other side of town for an open house didn’t hurt my argument either. Now I get kind of nostalgic, thinking back at that choice to change schools. And I realize that the primary cause of agony in decision-making is due to one word: anxiety. According to Matthew Miller, a family counsellor with Alberta Health Services, agonizing over decisions can often lead to a lengthy and painful struggle. “Often, our anxiety alarm will sound if we feel threatened, unsure, or insecure,” he says. “To some, even the knowledge that they have the power to choose and decide for themselves ‘on their own’ is alarming and anxiety provoking due to their internal dialogue of being, and feeling, alone, uncertain, and insecure.” So what can we do to conquer this anxiety? Miller recommends a few tips: Set a time limit or create a to-do list with an end date: I had until April to not only convince my parents of my switch, but to also

Everything You Need to Know About Mindfulness By Irtiza Oyon Mindfulness seems like such a simple concept that we tend to pass right over it. How can deep breathing improve our lives, anyways? Well, it turns out that practising mindfulness daily can help you with anything from eating healthier to managing conditions like anxiety. Grip spoke with Kaitlin Niksic, a health promotion coordinator at Alberta Health Services, about how to make mindfulness work within your lifestyle. What is mindfulness? Kaitlin: I believe mindfulness is a way of being, where you’re fully in the present moment. This means that you are aware, moment to moment, of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and surrounding environment. What are some benefits to being mindful? Mindfulness can benefit everything from remembering where our house keys are to reducing – or even preventing – anxiety, depression, addiction and sleeping disorders. For me, the biggest benefit has been an increase in happiness and a greater feeling of contentment. What situations is mindfulness useful in? Mindfulness can be used during difficult conversations to be ‘in-tune’ with our emotions. When you feel frustrated, mindfulness can help you pay attention to your thoughts and emotions without judging them. This can help you to look at the situation without seeing a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. Using mindfulness can help you to understand and communicate better. Another great example is when taking exams. Mindful deep breathing can help you stay calm and focused on the questions. Mindfulness is also a great way to simply taking a break from thinking and instead just ‘be.’

How can you practise mindfulness successfully? As with anything, start small and do what works for you. If I feel I am getting distracted, I use visualization to bring me back to the present moment. I have a printed photo of a beach in my office, my car and my home. This beach picture helps me practise often – I look at the photo and take 10 seconds to breathe deeply while imagining that I am on that beach. Once I become calm, I can think more clearly, become more present and better focus at whatever I am doing. Also, try to multitask less. There is a Zen proverb that says: “When walking, walk. When eating, eat.” The mind never sits still so being aware of and alright with that is important. The goal is not to clear the mind, but to focus on one thing at a time.

Here are some ways you can practise mindfulness: • Take a “mindful minute” to observe your breath, inhaling and exhaling for five seconds each. Let your thoughts pass by and try not to react, but simply be aware. • When you are with others, really focus on what they are saying to you instead of what you are thinking. If your mind starts to wander, bring it back to the conversation. • Turn off technology to help stay in the present moment. • Practise mindful eating. Eat slowly and enjoy each bite, paying attention to the taste and texture of your food. • When doing an activity, observe the sensations around you to help keep you in the present moment.

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Be the

Change T

errorism. Climate change. Economic downturn. Natural disasters. Spend five minutes watching the news and it might seem like our world is in a hopeless state of disrepair. Just flipping through channels can feel overwhelming. But take heart! While there are a lot of problems plaguing us, we can choose to take simple steps every day to make a positive difference. One small act of kindness, like holding a door open for someone or sharing an encouraging word with a friend who is struggling, counts. You do not have to be Mother Teresa to improve the world, nor do you need to have a full piggy bank. All you need is the willingness to try something new to generate positive change. Need a little inspiration, or a couple of ideas to get started? Check out this list of twenty simple actions that you can take today:

• Show you care by what you wear. Wear a rosy t-shirt on Pink Shirt Day to stand up to bullying, or sport a wristband to support your favourite cause. • Invite the guy or girl who sits alone at lunch to join you and your friends. • Celebrate a “day” on social media. For example, if you’re a budding environmentalist, celebrate Earth Day by posting a picture, using a hashtag or sending a tweet about environmental issues on April 22. • Send a thank-you note to someone who deserves it. • Make your voice heard by signing an electronic petition on www.change.org. • Take the time to actually listen to a person who needs someone to talk to. Your genuine support could save a life. • Boycott a product if it’s produced in a way that clashes with what you believe is important. If you love animals, then do not buy makeup that uses animal testing, and opt for cruelty-free cosmetics instead. • Pick up a piece of litter when you see some on the street. • Visit a click-to-give website like www.greatergood.com. When you click a button on these websites, the page of advertisements you see funds the charities the websites support. It’s a completely free way to fund donations to causes you care about.

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By Christine Green

Feeling overwhelmed by doom-and-gloom scenarios? Follow some of our suggestions to make a positive impact on the world around you

• Order fair trade tea, coffee or hot chocolate when you buy your next hot drink. • Ignore a hurtful post on social media, or report it if necessary, instead of sharing it and spreading gossip and cruel messages. • Write short but encouraging messages on sticky notes and stick them on lockers at school, on bathroom mirrors or other places. • If you have a relationship that requires repair, apologize or take steps to make amends. Doing this can show that you are willing to forgive what happened and you may even regain a friendship. • Buy something extra to give away to someone. If you are buying a snack, why not buy another and give it to a friend or someone you pass by? • Bring a reusable bag along with you when you shop to avoid using a disposable plastic bag. • Give up your seat on the bus to a person who needs it. • Offer your skills and a bit of your time to tutor or coach someone for free. Maybe you are a math whiz and can help your younger brother with his homework, or show your friend’s little sister how to perfect her soccer skills. • Call a family member just to say hi and ask how they are doing. Even a quick chat shows you care about them and can brighten their day. • Bake something delicious and give it to a family in need, or anyone else who could use a sweet reminder that they are not alone. • Encourage others to engage in acts of kindness too, and start a chain reaction for positive change!

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How do you know when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to tell a secret? By Jasmine Blackett

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e all carry secrets in life – some are our own, and others are bestowed upon us. Knowing when to keep them, and when to tell them, is the tricky thing. This is something I have first-hand experience in: when I was in the ninth grade, I met a boy and I fell in love. I felt like he was my other half, but he also had his demons. He confided in me about his depression, suicide attempts and selfharm. In one month, he made three suicide attempts and I woke up to the same text messages each time: “I’m sorry. I love you. Goodbye.” If there’s any situation in which you should tell a secret, it’s this. In fact, the secret of his depression became my own secret, by default. I could not bring myself to tell my parents or an adult about the situation at hand. This was because I had already told a friend’s secret in the past – I confided in my mom that my friend was suffering from depression, and when my mom told the school counsellor, I lost my friend. I didn’t want to lose my boyfriend, too. Being abused in any way, shape or form is not something that should be kept a secret. I had threatened to tell his parents numerous times about his depression, but he claimed that he had already talked to them on numerous occasions and I didn’t feel comfortable enough to approach them about such a touchy subject. Although it was a secret I should have told them, to this day I don’t really know if his parents know. But that summer, I could no longer deal with the burden placed on me; I was exhausted and afraid that he was going to try to self-harm again. So I decided to tell my mom and my friend’s mom, who is a psychologist. Dr. Brian Zelt, a registered psychologist who works at Calgary’s Hull Services, says, “the secret to ‘big secrets’ is generally to never ever, ever, ever promise someone that you will keep a secret without first saying: ‘I will not keep a big secret where your safety or the safety of others is impacted or knowing something significant that places me in a very difficult situation. I will also not keep a secret when I think that an adult could ultimately support you in getting the help that you need.’ ” Placing a limit around the secrets that you keep does not make you a bad friend; rather it makes you a very genuine, caring and concerned friend.

That’s easier said than done. After I talked to my mom and my friend’s mom, it all began to sink in. You could say that I made the wrong choice by keeping so many secrets, both his and my own. Maybe I could have avoided a lot of the trauma that I still deal with, had I told someone what had been going on in our relationship or if one of my friends had told my mom what was going on. In the case of one of my closest friends, Skye, she didn’t know what to do either. “I knew how much you loved him and because of personal issues and past relationships, I really didn’t understand how unhealthy it was,” she recently told me, “I always thought it should be you to speak out, I didn’t want to overstep any boundaries we had in our relationship.” This is a perfect example as to why so many people do not share the secrets that they should. Secrets come in both big and small packages. Often, people cannot handle their burdens alone, and they are reaching out to you for help. It’s a reality that the person who has confided in you may become angry or

You are there to support your friends no matter what, but you must be able to stand your ground and draw the line. upset with you for sharing their secret, but as Dr. Zelt puts it, “we hold our ground. We remind them that we have always been there for them and will continue to however disappointed they are right now.” You have to realize that their overall safety and well-being is more important in these kinds of situations. You are there to support your friends no matter what, but you must be able to stand your ground and draw the line. Whether it be a secret of your friend’s or your own, you must be able to take a step, look at the bigger picture and ask: “Will this secret cause more harm than good?” It may be terrifying to open up about such personal things, but the pay off in the end is so much better and you could save a life – even your own. HELP AT HAND Hull Services helps children and their families who experience significant mental health, behavioural and developmental challenges. If you are in need of assistance, visit hullservices.ca

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How to Pr There’s no point making a pro and con list if you don’t do it effectively. Here are some tips for making your list the best it can be By Lyndsie Bourgon

Choice #1 Choice #2

• Be sure to include both choices on the same page

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PRO • Keep it short! • Write it down - our brains have a way of internalizing stressors. Writing helps!

• Keep the list somewhere you can easily see it • Leave your list for 72 hours, then revisit your feelings

ro & Con CON • Make sure your expectations are realistic • Don’t rush the process • Assess your pros and cons by rating them 1-10

Uncertain? • Not all outcomes can be predicted - list these in their own column

• Solicit feedback from others after you make the list, not before • Weigh your pros and cons by using math. Multiply the important pros by 10, and the least important by 5. What side wins?

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What’s Stop Sometimes being daring and bold is right. How do you draw the line between “smart risk” and “stupid risk?” By Sandy Xin Xu

n August 2014, I stepped off the plane for the first time on European soil with my oversized backpack in one hand and a map of London’s Underground train system in the other. Travelling to a foreign continent was both invigorating and nerve-wracking – especially because my plan was to cover seven European cities in 16 days. Despite being questioned by skeptical family and friends for three months, backpacking across Europe finally became a reality. It seemed like an easy choice but for months I evaluated the risks inherent in going. I weighed what it meant to travel with two girls in their early 20s to five foreign countries. The culture shock and language barrier faced in nonEnglish speaking countries, along with the idea of arranging transportation between cities conjured a lot of angst. All of it was shrouded in risk – what if something went wrong? We’re biologically programmed to avoid injury and death. Taking risks could overturn all the years we’ve invested: it could end relationships or form new ones, or it could change the course of your life. As a teenager, risks denote excitement, and experimentation is an essential ingredient of youth culture. While some risks are inherently harmful, others can be powerful lessons and rewarding experiences. So how do we know what risks to take? Grip asked Jessie De Castro, a health care professional from Alberta Health Services, for her advice: GRIPMagazine

pping You? What are some ways that I can learn to balance possible risks? When we talk about risk at the AHS, we talk about “smart risk.” Smart risk recognizes that risk taking is a necessary part of learning and gaining confidence in life, and respects your right to make your own decisions. But injuries are predictable and preventable and your choices can determine whether the risks you take result in injury. An important concept of smart risk is the “stupid line.” This is the line of choice that separates smart risk from stupid risk. The line is different for each person, depending on your experience and confidence with an activity, the law, social norms and the environment. Really, only you can define your stupid line. Are there any guiding rules for good risks and bad risks? Yes! Each smart risk comes with a strategy that you can use in a variety of contexts. • Look first before doing any activity. Stop, think and check out the situation. • Wear the gear, like a helmet, knee and elbow pads or proper footwear and clothing. For example, always put on a helmet and buckle it up before getting on your bike. • Get trained. If there is training available for an activity, get it! Learn from the experts. For example, take a driver’s education course before attempting to take your driver’s exam. • Buckle up. Always wear your seatbelt, no matter how short the ride. It’s the law. • Drive sober. Never drink or take any drugs before driving. Not only is it very risky, it’s against Alberta Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law.

Aside from physical harm, what kinds of risks should I consider? Mental health and wellness is an important part of being safe. School, challenges in relationships with family and friends, anxiety over dating and sex are just examples of the kinds of things that you might be facing. Sometimes, if you try and meet these challenges alone, you can put your mental health and safety at risk. This brings us to the last smart risk message: seek help. Look for support when you or someone you know needs it. Life’s issues and challenges can seem overwhelming if you try to face them alone. It’s okay to ask for help. Why are teens so vulnerable to risk? A lot of this has to do with brain development. Brains develop from back to front and the part of your brain in charge of judgment, planning and decision-making is at the very front. This is called the pre-frontal cortex. You may be physically capable of a risky

older, risks to your physical and mental safety will continue to be present. Some of these risks might be even more challenging. For example, when you are 18, it will be legal for you to drink, so you will have to be very aware of your personal limit in order to avoid getting sick or hurt. Always remember that injuries are predictable and preventable, so stay safe by continuing to define your own stupid line. So how should we draw the line between smart risk and stupid risk? Smart risks are ones where personal harm (physical and psychological) is kept to a minimum and allows an individual to experiment in an environment that facilitates growth – challenging the status quo in a way that expands our limits. Psychologists call the balance between perceived challenges to one’s own perceived skills as the flow state, where high life satisfaction may be achieved. Similarly, we should seek to expand our capabilities while assessing the harms judiciously. According to Daniel Kahneman, who wrote the book Thinking, Fast and Slow, human beings are terrible at calculating risk in the 21st Century. Often, we over-estimate the likelihood of losses over gains, allowing our brains to amplify the consequences of loss over the potential gains. But what we haven’t addressed is our incredible versatility in adapting to change. Underestimating our own abilities or allowing one past mistake to define your present are the reasons we accept the status quo and fail to find true fulfillment in our lives. By following the smart risk approach, we can minimize harms and rise to meet new challenges and opportunities.

People are terrible at calculating risk in the 21st Century. Often, we over-estimate the likelihood of losses over gains. activity but because this part of the brain is still developing, you may not be intellectually capable of making the safest decisions when doing it. This is why it is so important to keep “smart risk” at the front of your mind when making decisions involving risk! What should I know about risk as I get older and head into university? Risk will always be a part of life. As you get

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Making the Grip contributors through the years give you some advice on the big jump from high school to The Real World

One extremely important habit I needed to get into was organizing my week: planning my homework on a giant calendar as I go through the week helped keep my stress levels down and helped me get my papers in on time. – Meesha Wittkopf

While be ta I felt king like mos I sho a ful t of t l cou uld he o only t rse l t wo co her s oad urses huge tude like at co n a majo urse load in first. I am s ts, I decid ed to o glad r adju my fir take stme I didn st yea gettin nt fro ’t tak r, bec g use m e a d o h u na ig t s o e it’s emot h sch unive defin ional ool to rsity li it e e u n ly f n e e iv rgy. B takes haven y hav up a lo ersity. Jus ’t bee ing a t t of tim n sev li g erely enjoy hter c e and stress ed m o u r se loa y first ed ou d, I t and year o have – Chr verall istine . Green

ng strivi dents u t o do a s t nce day e i a c r s u ou uch n ho For y ow m ake a h t , r e + t th t A ma r wi for an hou et. No s n a m proble one, just ons can ti . et d trac habit you g r dis itive e s o h t p a no o it into form trans n n Tra – Eva

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Leap sity taught ar of univer for a My first ye ch you plan ter how mu at m ) there is o n ke ta at me th u want to yo e re u’ve eg d ke what the way yo life event (li n’t happen o w it lly at a th likelihood m I origin e progra always the ar th to is in ience th ye didn’t go azing exper am ise. planned. I an w er ad th h e met o to, but I’ve ight not hav m wanted ges I o an h w ch le et peop last-minute and have m be open to to n ar le is to My advice ur plans. mps” in yo u “b r o urnier – Louise Fo

h school a year “I graduated from hig n of saving up to early, with the intentio n go to university. travel Europe and the impulse Instead, I made an to China for e ov m to decision ugh it was an four months. Altho it definitely threw amazing opportunity, I never made it to a wrench in my plans. moved out on my Europe, and instead rs. I didn’t decide own for a couple of yea dy in university for what I wanted to stu once I did, I felt two whole years, but ion. If you feel so secure in that decis ing going into post indecisive or are dread it! Take time and secondary, don’t rush first.” – Jay Lewis get to know yourself

Deciding on the right high school is the biggest decision I’ve been faced with to date. I find it’s easier if you think only about what you want – I’m looking for a school that has good academics and athletics. I am also considering the distance from my house, and the transportation options to get to and from school. Although my friends are important, I’m careful not to let their opinions distract me from my choice. – Priya Croft

I wa s ac surp rised tually free s a uppo t all of th e offer r t m y un s, ivers acad like coun ity emic selin g, supp supp ort, c ort, s are up with disab port for s er tude ilities just f nt un e vent and even s you s for are s tude pay univ nts ing ersi to a . If t y to ta tten , it m d ke a ake dva serv ntag s sense ices eo th – Ch ristin ey offe f the r. e Gre en

I’m in m y secon d year o had to m f univers ake a lo ity now t of choic and I’ve or not es, inclu I wan ding w t e d to d the cho hethe rop a c ice to se r lass . I e an adv right dir made is or to pu ection, a sh me in nd in th through the e end de the clas c id ed to sti s a nd ende higher g ck d up pa rade tha ssing w n I thou ith a ght. – C atherine Lieu

ber e Cham ic r and th e tt o P ur cho y o In Harr “It is s y , far a s e r re truly a mbledo u e D g, w ts t from Ho wha of Secre ty away show li t a e: It’s a re ic h r v t u d rry, great a s.” In o ll e i ti t s t i es, Ha l ’s i it’s wha evil, it ur ab you are; ood and n than o g o n e rs , e r e e o rs p e m d of lp oth ttle betw what kin er to he d the ba t shows volunte a n a th warts an c o le e d tt n n , anyo is the li t you ca do it? It example r not wha to o d F e n . a o m the ti rowd ose to d m the c ally take o fr you cho tu c rt a a y p a man t us a Sirajee but how e that se – Reshm we mak . s ty e li ic a o n h c ur perso shape o

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The Grass

How better decision making skills can help you avoid looking back with regret By Luna Yang

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is Greener I

t tastes a bit bitter. Or maybe sour, like a lemon. No matter what, regret leaves an unpleasant taste in our mouths – we’re so intent on avoiding it that we might not make a choice at all. What is it that we’re so afraid of? Sure, it can be hard to universalize such a complex feeling, but there’s a rather morbid scenario that people contemplate, and as with most morbid scenarios, it revolves around death and unfinished business. The scenario goes – you’re on your death bed, surrounded by your loved ones, but you can’t find peace as memories of things that you should have done, and chances that you didn’t take, flash through your mind. It might take form in people you didn’t spend enough time with, places you did not travel to or opportunities that you missed. The story kind of ends there because you would probably die next. Sorry. It’s a bleak example, but it’s how we consider regret in a nutshell. As depressing as it may seem, regret is something that we’re all familiar with, and therefore should be something that we accept and learn to deal with. Instead of always fearing the regret that might come after large, life-changing decisions (Where should I go to school? What do I want to study?), regret is a part of everyday life

and we should treat it as such. According to Dr. Brian Zelt, a registered psychologist in Calgary, regret is “an emotional state, typically associated with feelings of sadness or disappointment, when [someone] judges the outcome of their decision to be a loss” or missed opportunity.

Making decisions each day is essential to becoming an effective adult, as it allows us to trust ourselves. Due to these negative connotations, most people avoid regret by avoiding decision making altogether. As Dr. Zelt says, we use coping mechanisms like procrastination and avoidance rather than making a wrong decision and regretting it. But he adds that not taking action can result in an uninformed choice, or even no choice whatsoever. So while these mechanisms help us, albeit artificially, deal with the fear of regret in the short term, they end up harming us in the long term. In the end, it’s better to regret something that you did than wish you’d done something you chose not to.

As a general rule of thumb, Dr. Zelt agrees that it’s better to make a decision than none at all. But in order to successfully make correct decisions, it’s important to consider an issue from all angles. For the most part, we all have the ability to choose what we want. Though free will can be daunting at times, in the end it’s only us who can make those big decisions. Admittedly, it’s always helpful to listen to the advice of other people, but the decision-making power lies solely with us. “Making decisions and choices, even small ones each day,” Dr. Zelt says, “are essential to becoming an effective adult, as it allows us to trust ourselves.” But how do you make an effective decision? It’s smart to consult with family, friends and the people that have your best interests in mind. Dr. Zelt also stresses the importance of researching the topic beforehand. Planning on quitting school in order to pursue a tap dancing career? Better make sure you know the tap dancing industry a bit. There are many ways to make an intelligent decision, like writing down a pros and cons list about what you have on your mind. And at the heart of it all, you have to consider: what’s the worst that could happen? Just keep in mind: regret is a part of life, and should not be feared. Hopefully, with Dr. Zelt’s advice, it won’t be.

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She Said Two Grip writers debate the real meaning behind selfies. Are our selfies truly a reflection of ourselves? By Sandy Xin Xu HER OPINION: “YES.” It’s more than just your average pop culture trend. The Oxford English Dictionary declared “selfie” word of the year in 2013, and defined it as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself.” And in a survey conducted by Samsung, 30 per cent of users said their phones’ photo albums were packed with those notorious and misunderstood photos. If so many people take them, why are we engaging in this debate? Critics say selfies are a product of narcissism and egomania. They bemoan the hours a person might spend capturing his or her most desirable face for the world. But isn’t that the focal point of the 21st century? We micromanage our Facebook profiles to project the ideal version of ourselves. We monitor the I believe that we should status of our LinkedIn give some credit to selfies pages and resumes for putting control over so they scream: “I’m our public image back in competent and a our hands. workaholic” to future employers. Whether we like it or not, impression management is the passport to living in a society engulfed by social media, and selfies are simply another byproduct of our desire to connect with others.

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I believe that we should give some credit to selfies for putting control over our public image back in our hands. In a way, they encourage us to make mistakes and to experiment with the lens in a way that best defines us. Finally, what selfies are to us today is what avatars were for MSN and MySpace users – they broadcast your current state of mind. Assuming that most selfie-takers upload their ideal portraits on a social media platform, our photos share a story and allow us to document a moment of our lives. Perhaps selfies are simply the fastest, most convenient way to add a time-stamp to our lives. There’s a reason why everyone from the President of the United States to Ellen Degeneres have been part of the selfie movement, portraying themselves in a uniquely personalized light that no photographer could possibly capture. Selfies have become a crucial aspect of identity formation for Generation Y. Seeing ourselves in a positive light is the first step towards improving our self-esteem rather than destroying it. As long as preoccupation with selfies doesn’t interfere with our social and mental well-being, then a little narcissism shouldn’t be a crime. After all, who could resist that adorable duck face, you cutie pie.

She Said “Do selfies make you look cool or the fool?” By Taylor Masters HER OPINION: “NO.” In today’s society, we are bombarded with images of the statuesque woman who has it all or the ripped man with hordes of women chasing after him. We know that these standards are unattainable, and yet we still strive to reach that level of perfection. Selfies are just the newest way of trying to achieve impossible standards. At their worst, they can act as a gateway to eating disorders and self-esteem issues. It’s hard to be a teenager in an age of social media, when nothing online is really a secret. We share some of our innermost thoughts online as a way to vent our feelings and emotions. We fool ourselves into thinking that since we cannot see the faces of those on the other side, they don’t really exist. Through the power of the share button and “liking,” people that you don’t know can comment on how you look in that selfie. By turning the camera inward, we open ourselves up to the scrutiny of faceless strangers, making us even more self-conscious about how we are seen. I think that selfies enforce an egotistical point of view that what’s on the outside matters a lot more than what is on the inside. In my experience, posting selfies rarely

reassures us that we are, in fact, beautiful and just reinforces a deterioration of our selfesteem. It’s easy to look at ourselves and think, “That’s ugly,” but we’ll still post photos on Facebook or Instagram that end up being bombarded with some truly horrible comments that serve to reinforce our worst thoughts. Sure, there are those who turn their selfies into a joke and make funny faces, but that’s only so that they don’t have to deal seriously with comments that might follow. Unfortunately, no matter how much we may disagree, our life is dictated by how we look and what the world thinks about us. Selfies serve to feed or kill our ego: we might not feel happy unless our selfie on the Selfies serve to feed or kill beach has 348 “likes.” our ego: we might not feel They feed into of this happy unless our selfie on way of thinking: we the beach has 348 “likes.” bare our souls online to the world and are either celebrated or torn to shreds in response. I am a firm believer that we can rise beyond this vision of ourselves and turn the camera to the front once more. We need to look at the world around us as opposed to only being focused on our hair and our faces.

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Just for

Today Robb Nash’s message of strength strikes a chord By Chantelle Foisie

hen Robb Nash was a teenager, he experienced a life-changing accident. Driving in a car with his friends, a huge semi-truck suddenly veered into their path, heading straight towards them. The semi-truck hit the car, and Robb was pushed out of the back when the trunk flew off. When the paramedics arrived on site, Robb was declared dead. He showed no signs of life, and the hospital had already made the call to his parents, telling them the horrific news. But he wasn’t. Miraculously, Nash’s lifeline came back. He was in a coma for weeks, and he showed little hope of recovering. Eventually he recovered, though not without

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““I’m I’m not not someone someone who who hasn't hasn't made made mistakes, I’m someone willing mistakes, I’m someone willing to to start over.” start over.”

a titanium plate in his head and chest. Now, Nash makes music. Maybe you’ve heard of him: he travels the countr y speaking and performing, inspiring teenagers to overcome their str uggles. He continuously tells his personal story, hoping to get through to teenagers that life is something worth living. So far, he has spread his message to one million students. After the accident, Nash struggled for years trying to find his purpose in life.

Eventually, he came to realize that there wasn’t a reason why he was hit. It was a coincidence, not the world trying to punish him. After struggling with his anger and depression, Nash decided he wanted to help others, so that they don’t have to get hit by a semi-truck to start making better choices in their lives. “Don’t wait until you’re dying to start living,” he says. He believes he is lucky to get a second chance. He lives by the words: “Make today count.” Nash travels with his talented drummer, Jonny Holliday, and a promotional team throughout Alberta. His message has struck a chord; he has received hundreds of suicide notes and countless razor blades sent by students who have been inspired to reach out for help or made the choice to stay alive, stop using drugs and alcohol, stop self-harming and to make today count. “I’m not someone who hasn’t made mistakes, I’m someone willing to start over,” he says.

I was so in s p i r e d b y Nash’s message that I decided to get a tattoo on my left arm in August 2014. That was the arm where I had been self-harming for years, and I made the promise never to make a cut there again. I was also suicidal at the time, but when I heard Nash talk and sing, I wanted to stay alive for just a little bit longer. My tattoo says “Just for Today” and the words are from Nash’s song, “Thief of Colours” (my favourite one of his). The impact he made on me was so huge that I decided to start getting help for my own mental health problems. I am happy to say that I kept my promise and scars are fading on that arm. “If you’re looking for pain today, you’ll find it,” Nash says. “But if you’re looking for strength, you’ll find that too!” Nash and his crew work hard to convince teenagers to keep moving forward and that life does get better. He has been recognized by many people for the work that he has done with youth. Through his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media accounts, he keeps in contact with all his fans, and has a great team of people following and supporting him in his travels. Nash will continue to travel across Canada to spread his message and music to thousands more young people. There is a purpose to live and there is enjoyment in life. “Here’s to the things that I wouldn’t have seen, if I didn’t keep walking,” he says. Make today count!

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photography by buffy goodman

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This is

Zander

Hartman By Lyndsie Bourgon

He helped lobby the provincial government to pass Bill 10, making schools a more inclusive place for everyone

n April 17, 2014, Zander Hartman found himself standing in front of a group of politicians and he knew it was his moment. A few years earlier, Zander had been living in the small town of Edson, just outside of Edmonton. He identifies as a pansexual, polyamorous trans boy, and when he approached the principal of his school about starting a gaystraight alliance (GSA), the principal immediately shut him down. “There was a constant, looming presence of homophobia and transphobia within my school and town,” Zander told the group of politicians. “LBGTQ kids didn’t have a voice, or any support. We had no resources, no one to turn to.” GRIPMagazine

photography by buffy goodman

40 Thisis Zander Hartman

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When Zander first moved to Edmonton in January 2013, he attended a meeting of Ross Sheppard High School’s GSA – something he never would have been able to do in Edson. “I was really anxious about moving to the big city, it was terrifying at first,” says Zander. “From the beginning, Zander was very involved in what was going on in relation to the GSA,” says Treena Gallant-Plouffe, the school’s teacher representative at the GSA. She holds meetings twice a week in her classroom. “At the time, Zander was a very quiet soul, but we came to the point where we needed a leader, someone to guide the group,”she says. “It was very obvious it would be Zander.” This might be because Zander seems to be friends with everyone – he has avoided cliques and talks to everyone who attends the group’s lunchtime meetings. Often, Zander is the person that Gallant-Plouffe turns to when she needs to organize the creation of posters, buttons or handouts. Over time, as Zander settled into the school, Gallant-Plouffe says she noticed him growing as a person in many ways. “He is so much stronger in who he is and how he leads,” she says. In April 2014, Liberal MLA Kent Hehr proposed Motion 503 at the Alberta legislature. The motion would have made it mandatory for school boards in the province to support students that wished to start a GSA in their school. Motion 503 was eventually rejected, and soon afterwards Zander attended Edmonton’s GSA roundtable, a monthly meeting where all the GSAs in the city meet up, usually at the downtown library or at the University of Alberta. This is where Zander gave his powerful speech to the politicians in the room. “They came to try and tell us about their reasons for turning down the bill,” says Zander. “I was prepared to tell them what I thought.” That April day Zander listed off to the group those who had voted against it – nine Wildrose MLAs and 22 PC MLAs, including the minister of education at the time. “I will remember this when I come of legal age to vote,” Zander told the group, which included Danielle Smith, then-leader of the Wildrose. “When I moved to Edmonton, I realized that things don’t need to be like that. You can’t just sit back and accept discrimination.” It was a bold statement. Afterward, Zander was asked to speak at the legislative building along with two other people and was featured on Global and CTV. “I felt that if I spoke here and

someone listened, there might be some change that I could initiate and move towards.” This was just the first step for Zander and lots of other politicians, activists and school workers in the province when it came to GSA activism over the past year. In December 2014, the introduction of Bill 10 brought debate right back to the forefront, and with it lots of confusion and misinformation. At first, the bill gave school boards the authority to decide if a school could have a GSA if a student requested – the bill was controversial because it fell between the rights of gay students and the right of parents to be informed that their children were participating in a GSA. Parents would then have the right to ask that their children be removed from the room or other activities where topics like sexual orientation might be discussed.

“If you can make a positive change, why would you choose not to?” Even though it had some high profile detractors, after three months of amendments and consultations with people like Zander, Bill 10 was passed in the legislature. “Zander’s actions with Bill 10 were all his own,” says Gallant-Plouffe. “No one had to give him information or nudge him to

take a stand – he did it all on his own. I am very proud that Zander had enough personal strength to rally for what he believes in, even when that means going up against politicians.” For now, it’s business as usual for him. Zander is about to graduate from Ross Sheppard and continues to be president of the school’s GSA. “At meetings we go around the table and ask how everyone’s week is. We recently went to Dairy Queen on their free ice cream day,” he says. Soon, Zander will be making plans for the future – with more than 300 books in his room, he’s planning to take a year of general studies before possibly going into communications. “Teens should take away two things from Zander,” says Gallant-Plouffe: “The first is to be who you are. The second is to stand up for what you believe in, even if it’s scary. Change only happens when we are true to ourselves.” Zander knows that his work has really just begun. “Bill 10 was passed but it doesn’t mean everyone has a GSA,” he says. “There’s a kid that’s homeschooled who got in touch with me over Instagram, looking for a community.” He has also learned lots about the political process – both good and bad, and he is now involved in activism surrounding having more gender-inclusive bathrooms in schools and public places. “It made me think that this is a process that I could be involved with,” says Zander. “Lots of people are wary of getting involved because they think it’s complicated, and it is. But if you can make a positive change, why would you choose not to?

HOW TO START A GSA A GSA is just like any other club in your school, and your student handbook or district policy should outline how to obtain permission for your group to get up and running. • Find a GSA advisor. This can be a teacher, administrator or staff member that can act as a supportive ally. Your advisor is who you’ll turn to for advice and help planning events. • Let your school guidance counsellor know that you’re starting the group. They can inform other students who might benefit from the support and guidance of a GSA. • Develop your mission statement: What do you hope the GSA can bring to your school? • Find a safe meeting space in your school. This will probably be inside, but Zander’s group likes to meet outside when the weather is nice. • Advertise your group and welcome new members! Have a poster party to design flyers that have a positive tone and which state meeting dates, times and places. • Hold your first meeting. During the meeting, establish some guidelines for how gettogethers will run and talk about ground rules for group discussions. Then, set out planning for the future!

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E plorations IN THE Underworld

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Hashtags are the newest way to talk about depression, self-harm and suicide By Erin Emily Ann Vance

he Internet is a place where we can find community, but it’s also a place where unhealthy communities can thrive amongst us. On websites like Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram, teenagers dealing with eating disorders, depression and self-harm are reaching out to one another using hashtags like #secretsociety123 and #sue. These hashtags are like a portal into a world where others suffer alongside you. There are often inspirational messages, but sometimes there are images that are violent or sad, and might be seen as triggers. Knowing that these hashtags were used to form a community around self-harm, I searched with trepidation one day, not sure what I would find. I struggle with anxiety, and I have dealt with it in various ways as I’ve grown up. When I was younger, I would exercise silently in my bedroom until 4 a.m., or I would starve myself or take laxatives as part of my eating disorder. I’d sit on the cold floor of the bathroom for hours having a panic attack, and I’d carve words like ‘thin’ into my thighs with razor blades. But when I searched online, I was surprised to see that the vast majority of posts tagged with those hashtags were just teens searching for community, rather than teens promoting their destructive behaviour. Instead of seeing the bloody wrists and skeletal figures I expected, I saw entries that looked eerily like my own teenage journals, which detailed a decline from anxious kid into a cutter with disordered eating. “[Social media] can be an avenue for building communities and for stimulating positive change,” says Christie Mellan, who works with the Canadian Mental Health Association in Calgary. “It can be a place where teens feel free to express themselves without the fear of judgment. And it can be trendy. I think using social media is okay – as long as it’s supportive.” Like those using secret hashtags, when I was young I just wanted somewhere to belong. When I was at my worst, all I wanted was someone else to be there to say, “I get it.” Cutting was lonely and embarrassing. When I stopped eating, there was a triumph in others noticing, in friends becoming concerned. It meant I was winning, and there was nothing they could do to prove that I actually had an eating disorder. It’s a lot easier, though, for a teacher or a parent to prove that someone is cutting themselves. So I kept it hidden until the day after my16th birthday. I was about to go on a trip and my mother was shoving things into my carry-on baggage when razor blades slipped out of my journal. She was shocked, and began reading some of my entries. I was caught. I’ll never forget the panic I felt when I realized my beloved journal was at home, and the absolute sense of dread as I was called down to the office. My father greeted me with tears in his eyes and we didn’t speak on the drive home.

All I had to confide in was an old notebook, and now that had been taken from me. I felt misunderstood – a feeling those that search these secret hashtags know well. It’s been more than five years since that day, and a bit less than that since I last cut. At the time, we didn’t have hashtags. If you wanted online support you had to go to the bowels of the Internet, which often looked like a scary and anonymous chatroom. I never found anyone to lean on. I don’t think hashtags used by self-harmers are meant to corrupt or to glamourize. I think they’re just a way for people to feel less alone because cutting, like many mental health issues, is isolating. I spent way too many nights crying on a bathroom floor with a razor blade to advocate against a sense of community for kids and teens like me.

COPING STRATEGIES According to Mellan, there are strategies you can use when feeling the urge to engage in self-harm. The trick is finding the right strategy. Here are a few to consider: Take a mental vacation: Close your eyes and imagine yourself anywhere you want to be. Once you pick a place, go through all five of your senses. What do you smell? Are you at home and is the smell of your mom’s chocolate chip cookies wafting through the house? What do you hear? Are there birds singing? Ocean waves crashing? What do you taste? Are you eating with friends? What do you feel? Is there sand between your toes? What’s around you? Once you’ve gone through all of your senses take a couple deep breaths and just be in your safe place. When you’re ready slowly open your eyes. Keep a journal of the times you did not self-injure: Write down empowering messages for yourself and why you didn’t self-harm. Exercise: This releases the same endorphins as self-harm. Along with being a healthy option, it also has the benefits of lowering anxiety and enhancing mood.

THERE’S NO SHAME IN REACHING OUT FOR HELP. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH SELF-HARMING BEHAVIOUR, CONTACT: • ConnecTeen (5pm-10pm) 403.264.TEEN (8336) or text: 587.333.2724 • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or to chat online go to kidshelphone.ca or download the AlwaysThere App.

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Some of televisionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular shows deal with post-traumatic stress disorder in real ways

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The Walking A

lone figure moves with purpose through the forest. She wears utilitarian clothing and carries an assault rifle. The woman’s gaze is focused, her brows are furrowed and her breathing is erratic. There’s tension in her movements, and although her aim at five consecutive zombies (known as “walkers”) is perfect, she looks unhinged. Two women approach from behind, calling her name. She doesn’t look back to see who they are. Her expression grows even darker, and she shakes her shoulders like a wounded dog. She snarls at them to “Go back.”Many episodes of AMC’s popular series The Walking Dead deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its symptoms, but it’s through Sasha’s character arc in the most recent season that we see an especially poignant portrayal. Watching her unravel is excruciating and inspirational – I know the torment that Sasha’s character experiences because I also live with PTSD. Watching her fight against her symptoms has been wonderful, because it’s a reminder that I am not alone. I have battled symptoms of PTSD for about nine years as a result of traumatic sexual assault. I was diagnosed with PTSD at the age of 15, about four years after the assault, and began treatment to overcome the worst symptoms. They improved, and I am much further into my recovery now that I have spoken about it. But that doesn’t mean that I’m symptom-free. Smells, sounds and even certain music can trigger flashbacks and physical reactions. Nausea and vertigo seem to be the most common response, along with a sense of shame and terror. When I first started noticing PTSD on some of my favourite television shows, I wasn’t sure what to think. Should I be happy, because PTSD is becoming “normal” in our society, and I don’t

have to feel as much shame? Should I be scared, because I am watching characters suffer through the same pain that I have experienced? Perhaps I should be angry that we’re still trying to normalize a condition that we’ve known about since the First World War? Post-traumatic stress disorder has recently risen in public awareness. The Mayo Clinic defines PTSD as a mental health condition that’s triggered by either experiencing or witnessing “a terrifying event. Symptoms may include

By J.M.M. Lewis

searching at every turn for a way to escape the traumatic memories that surround her. When this episode of Reign aired, the actress who plays Mary (Adelaide Kane) filmed a statement on behalf of the team behind the show. It urged teens who had experienced sexual violence to seek help. Nickelodeon’s The Legend of Korra shows another strong female character deeply affected by traumatic events. The final season of the show dealt with Korra’s PTSD and her attempts to overcome it. An enemy from the previous season left her temporarily bound to a wheelchair, emotionally scarred and with a toxic poison in her body. She went into hiding, leaving her loved ones behind for years as she attempted to overcome the extreme flashbacks and anxiety that crippled her long after she was able to leave the wheelchair. Those of us who have experienced PTSD know that the poison she was trying to remove from her body was a metaphor – Korra had to fight tooth and nail to save herself from the disorder she was thrust into after her attempted murder. Over time, I have come to recognize that I can feel a blend of emotions when I encounter PTSD on television. When Korra is honest about her emotions with her friends, I can feel a sense of triumph. When Sasha finally lets out her tears and confesses the depth of her depression, I can feel angry that she has to confess it at all. When Mary is scared of her husband, I can feel scared too. There are moments where what I’m watching triggers a flashback. But then, when the moment passes and I am feeling strong again, I can talk to people about it. I can ask for support from the people I love because they understand what I am going through. It’s not some mysterious disease – it’s something we are all aware of, and can learn more about simply by turning on our TVs.

Although it’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason for its increased public presence, PTSD has spread as a major plot point throughout film and television. flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.” Although it’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason for its increased public presence, PTSD has spread as a major plot point throughout film and television. It’s no longer just portrayed within the realm of adult dramas about war or emergency room medicine – it’s now present for the 13- to 19-year-old demographic too. Exposure to youth has started dialogue and encouraged teenagers to share their thoughts openly, but it is a hot button issue that can potentially cause emotional turmoil in young people. The CW’s Reign, a period drama based loosely on the life of Mary Queen of Scots, also features PTSD in its current season. After Mary is sexually assaulted during an attack on her castle, her emotional wounds are deep and varied in their impact. Mary blames her husband for the attack, and there is serious damage to their previously strong and loving relationship. She loses her familiar spirit and fight, desperately

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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.

The Magician and the Star BY DEENA GOODRUNNING

There once was a star who danced in the sky like an ice diamond. Her every move was dazzling and graceful, and her light shone the brightest of all, second only to the sun. She was the North Star, and her favourite thing to do was dance the night away and guide those who were lost. One day, a powerful magician looked into the sky and saw her. Instantly, he fell in love with her beauty and light and that very night he cast a powerful spell that yanked her from the sky and pulled her down to earth. That night, several people saw a falling star and made a wish. On Earth, the star was scared and confused. She had no idea how she’d fallen from her spot in the sky but she knew one thing: she had to return to the sky, and soon. But how? The magician told her that he’d used a spell to bring her to earth, and that very soon they’d be married and together forever. “No, you have to return me to the sky. Without me, how will people find their way?” asked the Star. But the magician shook his head. “No, I’m never returning you. I love you and want you to stay with me forever. We’ll be wed in a week.” Without the star to guide them, the people on Earth found themselves lost each day and night. The Star didn’t shine as bright anymore, and she asked the magician to let her go.

He said,“I can’t let you go. I love you too much to let you go.” “If you love me, why do you keep me away from my happiness and home?” she asked. The magician said, “How can I be happy when you’re in the sky and I can’t be with you?” The star made him a deal:”Every night, I’ll dance beautifully for you and I’ll be happy.” The magician closed his eyes and when he opened them he said, “Okay, I’ll send you back.” And with a heavy heart he cast the spell that allowed her to return to the sky. The night the star appeared back in the sky there was much joy in the world. The first thing people noticed about the star was how much brighter her light was, how she twinkled and danced. Years passed, and the magician grew older. He never failed to watch the star dance every night. When the day came that he was too old to continue living, he knew that he would not live long enough for night to arrive. He would die without seeing his star dance one last time.So the magician went outside his house and turned himself into a lake of water. When night came, the stars would reflect off him, and it would be as if his star was down on earth with him.

Clay Sculpture JAMES MACDONALD

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Winning submissions are awarded $50 and are featured here.

Midterms BY LAUREN H BERRY

My mind is elsewhere, They’re called midterms but they feel so final and the nights studying seem so endless, Dates approach taunting and the universe is laughing, Repeating verse after verse of Science, English, Social, and Math trying to go fast. The questions are on paper but the answers are set in stone, I feel faint and alone, 8:00 a.m. coffee 12:00 p.m. Red Bull, It’s all part of the cycle how fast the gears on your brain can go. How much can really be retained and how can anybody remain sane, I can’t think about what will be lost or gained, My mind is elsewhere

I. Am. Broken HEEYEONG PARK

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Untitled ELIZABETH ALLOWAY

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The Waiting Room BY CHRISTINE GREEN

Untitled JORDYN OLTH

The walls are busy. Plastered with posters, Images bouncing with colour. The questions ricochet within me. I sit in wonder. Silent but screaming. How do I know what to say? The clock on the wall crawls but time sprints. Just another breath, and they could call my name. Can I stand without my knees buckling? What will my reply be when they ask what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m here for? Through the stuttering, the shattered shards of words, will there be a coherent answer? Have I even an answer? I can only sit in this frail plastic chair for so much longer, trapped in this waiting room.

Clay Sculpture JAMES MACDONALD

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Portfolio

Portfolio Untitled SOPHIA LENGLE

Depression SYDNEY DESJARLAIS

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o BIG CATCH PANDY MA

Composite JARED PROPP

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Portfolio Reflections of Sgt. Hollis AN EXCERPT FROM A SHORT STORY BY SOPHIA LENGLE

Saturday, October 8, 1932

Untitled SOPHIA LENGLE

I’m homesick. I’m homesick. It’s a simple sentence, but one that describes what has been weighing down on me for nearly as long as I have been away. It was bearable before, but in these past few days it’s been getting worse. Maybe that’s because it’s October, or maybe it’s just the war that’s slowly pulling me apart. I always loved October as a kid. I suppose I still love October, though it doesn’t feel the same as it used to. Instead of running home from school in soft leather shoes and making a game of crunching the leaves as I walked, I now march in a foreign land in stiff black boots that rub against my ankles and press into my heels ‘til I blister. But I don’t

complain. I’ve been trying to “be a man” as my father used to say. “A level head and a strong jaw, that’s what a man ought to have.” I take it one day at a time and pray that living is still an option tomorrow, and so far it has been. I suppose I’ve been lucky. I am not actually out in the fight and many have died already; men older and stronger than I – “real men” as my father would say. Yet, I am still standing. I’m not sure but I think I am still here because I have a purpose; at least that’s what I am counting on. I need to do something, because watching innocent men go into battle and seeing them come back in pieces, or not at all, is sickening. People here just don’t look anymore because it’s too hard. But I suppose that is war. I’ve never been one for violence. I think it’s because it’s so easy to do now. That’s the problem with weapons. They make everything so impersonal and easy,

Untitled ELIZABETH ALLOWAY

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like it’s all a game, which it is not. It is human life. Not a game. I devote all my time now to finding a way to stop it, a non-violent solution and I think I am getting close. That is my purpose. Monday, October 10, 1932 I have made a discovery. What I have been striving for this whole time, the non-violent solution I have dreamt about, has actually become a possibility. It’s brilliant: my invention is small enough to fit in a cigarette carton. I can hardly believe it! Though that’s also why I am so surprised at how I feel. I have wanted this so long – ever since my brother got sent out to the front lines. But now that I can do it, I am scared and even conflicted. I need this invention to work, but I also need it to be at the right time. It will have such a huge impact and I’m just waiting for a sign…

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Last Word Humour

Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OUT

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