http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147 Hi, my name is Julyssa. Your show has inspired my best friend and I to help children before they go the wrong path. My friend and i wanted to help the children that have been on the show and to become mentors and to lead them and inspire them to the right path. We were thinking if it was okay with the station or producers of the show if we was able to contact some of the children or any children that are having a hard time deciding what path to take. We have words of wisdom and we would really love to help the children of todays generation. My friend and myself are teenagers and would love to help and lead other teens on the right path. Thank you for taking your time to read this. any comments are welcomes and i may be contacted at thsjulyssa1129@hotmail.com. Sun, 13 May 2012 04:07:44 GMT 2012-05-13T04:07:44Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7815769 It’s great to hear that there are people that really love to help these at-risk teens. Its good to see them safe, happy and smiling. Mentoring is one of the most accessible options for at-risk teens. Mentoring help at-risk teens to avoid the troubles, discover their talents, identify their rightful profession and live a purposeful life. This is an effective tool for improving the performance of any youth. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:23:47 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7815769 DebyMoore 2012-02-04T04:23:47Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7785036 Sounds like you have a great starting ground for mentoring! Sorry if I assumed too much. I have known teens that had good intentions but did not have your understanding of what is appropriate to do on your own. Wishing you success in helping others! Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:50:13 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7785036 R421 2012-01-22T02:50:13Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7785023 Posted By: R421 Peer counselors are a great first step but I do agree that some kids need to be steered towards a pro. Sometimes a particular counselor or therapist is not a good "fit"...that doesn't mean you give up on licensed counselors, it just means that you see different doctors until there is one that you feel comfortable with. "Being annoyed" can be part of the process--it isn't easy but it is proven to work.One thing to be careful of as a peer counselor is to not "play therapist"...there is a point at which you have to involve trusted adults because the problem is bigger than what you can handle. But I hope you research more about how to be an effective mentor! You can make a difference but you need not take everything on by yourself. thank you for believing that i can make a difference. I stay in contact with my 8th grade teacher who has went to school and became a psychiatrist and she helps me mentor teens that i try to help. I do know that if the teen does happend to mention a situation that involves hurting themselves or others that it is to be brought up to an adult and or police. I have helped several friends and relatives with situations. I am not trying to play therapist im trying to be a friend and a mentor to helping teens. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:34:45 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7785023 TrueInspired 2012-01-22T02:34:45Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7785007 Peer counselors are a great first step but I do agree that some kids need to be steered towards a pro. Sometimes a particular counselor or therapist is not a good "fit"...that doesn't mean you give up on licensed counselors, it just means that you see different doctors until there is one that you feel comfortable with. "Being annoyed" can be part of the process--it isn't easy but it is proven to work.One thing to be careful of as a peer counselor is to not "play therapist"...there is a point at which you have to involve trusted adults because the problem is bigger than what you can handle. But I hope you research more about how to be an effective mentor! You can make a difference but you need not take everything on by yourself. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:29:20 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7785007 R421 2012-01-22T02:29:20Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784989 Posted By: TrueInspired Posted By: RedBlood Posted By: TrueInspired Posted By: RedBlood Posted By: TrueInspired i know where you are coming from. but for some troubled teens the scared straight programs would make justice for them because if they don't listen to their parents why would they listen to other teenagers. The idea isn't to get them to listen to other teenagers, but rather good psychiatrists who can understand them. More often than not, people will listen to those who understand them, and empathize with them. The Scared Straight programs do more harm than good, I'm afraid. http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Research/Scared_Straight_Booklet_Version.pdfTake a good look at this. It will tell you all you need to know. true. but i am not psychiatrists just a teenager. but i as a teenager have seen teen relatives go through the whole process of getting locked up. It has a big effect on me. what inspired me to wanting to mentor children is the show and how i helped my brother to stop the drug usages and to stay in school. Now i gotta say the talks i have with him everyday and the words of wisdom that i give him, has gave him confidence in himself. He lost alot of confidence when his friends and some of the family gave up on him. I did not give up on my brother and i have all the confidence in him now. With all the confidence i have in him , he has regained all his confidence and is now on the right path and only has 5 months left till graduation. He thanks me everyday for never giving up on him and for always being there for him. When he needs to talk to someone or when he feels like he wants to go back to his old things he comes and talks to me because he knows i can lead him in the right path. He tells me how much he hates himself because his little sister is leading him , when it should be the other way around. His family should never have given up on him. That's just wrong. But I think you should try to find psychiatrists for them. True, don't try to play psychiatrist yourself without good training! :) But, also, try to find them adults with good training that will take it upon themselves to help them. I'm glad the program worked for your brother, but it doesn't work for many others. My brother did not go through the program he came to me for help and i helped him. My brother does not like people screaming in his face he knew that i would yell in his face but i did yell at him because he his my brother. But at the same time psychiatrists can be hella annoying , and thats why most kids dont want to talk to them. I dont try to be a psychiatrist because i know they can be annoying , i just like being there for people and giving them advice. *would you like to be the family psychiatrist since you like bringing them up so much?* (not to be rude) Look, the reason I bring them up so much is because one saved my life. I have nasty anxiety problems, and I used to have insecurity issues due to the way my mother treated me. This man knew exactly what I needed (proper medication, and deep discussion). And he enabled me to finally think for myself. I think the main reason so many people find them annoying is because people don't like to confront their own demons. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:26:56 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784989 RedBlood 2012-01-22T02:26:56Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784939 Posted By: RedBlood Posted By: TrueInspired Posted By: RedBlood Posted By: TrueInspired i know where you are coming from. but for some troubled teens the scared straight programs would make justice for them because if they don't listen to their parents why would they listen to other teenagers. The idea isn't to get them to listen to other teenagers, but rather good psychiatrists who can understand them. More often than not, people will listen to those who understand them, and empathize with them. The Scared Straight programs do more harm than good, I'm afraid. http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Research/Scared_Straight_Booklet_Version.pdfTake a good look at this. It will tell you all you need to know. true. but i am not psychiatrists just a teenager. but i as a teenager have seen teen relatives go through the whole process of getting locked up. It has a big effect on me. what inspired me to wanting to mentor children is the show and how i helped my brother to stop the drug usages and to stay in school. Now i gotta say the talks i have with him everyday and the words of wisdom that i give him, has gave him confidence in himself. He lost alot of confidence when his friends and some of the family gave up on him. I did not give up on my brother and i have all the confidence in him now. With all the confidence i have in him , he has regained all his confidence and is now on the right path and only has 5 months left till graduation. He thanks me everyday for never giving up on him and for always being there for him. When he needs to talk to someone or when he feels like he wants to go back to his old things he comes and talks to me because he knows i can lead him in the right path. He tells me how much he hates himself because his little sister is leading him , when it should be the other way around. His family should never have given up on him. That's just wrong. But I think you should try to find psychiatrists for them. True, don't try to play psychiatrist yourself without good training! :) But, also, try to find them adults with good training that will take it upon themselves to help them. I'm glad the program worked for your brother, but it doesn't work for many others. My brother did not go through the program he came to me for help and i helped him. My brother does not like people screaming in his face he knew that i would yell in his face but i did yell at him because he his my brother. But at the same time psychiatrists can be hella annoying , and thats why most kids dont want to talk to them. I dont try to be a psychiatrist because i know they can be annoying , i just like being there for people and giving them advice. *would you like to be the family psychiatrist since you like bringing them up so much?* (not to be rude) Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:12:25 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784939 TrueInspired 2012-01-22T02:12:25Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784924 Posted By: TrueInspired Posted By: RedBlood Posted By: TrueInspired i know where you are coming from. but for some troubled teens the scared straight programs would make justice for them because if they don't listen to their parents why would they listen to other teenagers. The idea isn't to get them to listen to other teenagers, but rather good psychiatrists who can understand them. More often than not, people will listen to those who understand them, and empathize with them. The Scared Straight programs do more harm than good, I'm afraid. http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Research/Scared_Straight_Booklet_Version.pdfTake a good look at this. It will tell you all you need to know. true. but i am not psychiatrists just a teenager. but i as a teenager have seen teen relatives go through the whole process of getting locked up. It has a big effect on me. what inspired me to wanting to mentor children is the show and how i helped my brother to stop the drug usages and to stay in school. Now i gotta say the talks i have with him everyday and the words of wisdom that i give him, has gave him confidence in himself. He lost alot of confidence when his friends and some of the family gave up on him. I did not give up on my brother and i have all the confidence in him now. With all the confidence i have in him , he has regained all his confidence and is now on the right path and only has 5 months left till graduation. He thanks me everyday for never giving up on him and for always being there for him. When he needs to talk to someone or when he feels like he wants to go back to his old things he comes and talks to me because he knows i can lead him in the right path. He tells me how much he hates himself because his little sister is leading him , when it should be the other way around. His family should never have given up on him. That's just wrong. But I think you should try to find psychiatrists for them. True, don't try to play psychiatrist yourself without good training! :) But, also, try to find them adults with good training that will take it upon themselves to help them. I'm glad the program worked for your brother, but it doesn't work for many others. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:06:10 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784924 RedBlood 2012-01-22T02:06:10Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784893 Posted By: RedBlood Posted By: TrueInspired i know where you are coming from. but for some troubled teens the scared straight programs would make justice for them because if they don't listen to their parents why would they listen to other teenagers. The idea isn't to get them to listen to other teenagers, but rather good psychiatrists who can understand them. More often than not, people will listen to those who understand them, and empathize with them. The Scared Straight programs do more harm than good, I'm afraid. http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Research/Scared_Straight_Booklet_Version.pdfTake a good look at this. It will tell you all you need to know. true. but i am not psychiatrists just a teenager. but i as a teenager have seen teen relatives go through the whole process of getting locked up. It has a big effect on me. what inspired me to wanting to mentor children is the show and how i helped my brother to stop the drug usages and to stay in school. Now i gotta say the talks i have with him everyday and the words of wisdom that i give him, has gave him confidence in himself. He lost alot of confidence when his friends and some of the family gave up on him. I did not give up on my brother and i have all the confidence in him now. With all the confidence i have in him , he has regained all his confidence and is now on the right path and only has 5 months left till graduation. He thanks me everyday for never giving up on him and for always being there for him. When he needs to talk to someone or when he feels like he wants to go back to his old things he comes and talks to me because he knows i can lead him in the right path. He tells me how much he hates himself because his little sister is leading him , when it should be the other way around. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:56:42 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784893 TrueInspired 2012-01-22T01:56:42Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784871 Posted By: TrueInspired i know where you are coming from. but for some troubled teens the scared straight programs would make justice for them because if they don't listen to their parents why would they listen to other teenagers. The idea isn't to get them to listen to other teenagers, but rather good psychiatrists who can understand them. More often than not, people will listen to those who understand them, and empathize with them. The Scared Straight programs do more harm than good, I'm afraid. http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Research/Scared_Straight_Booklet_Version.pdfTake a good look at this. It will tell you all you need to know. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:48:01 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784871 RedBlood 2012-01-22T01:48:01Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784829 i know where you are coming from. but for some troubled teens the scared straight programs would make justice for them because if they don't listen to their parents why would they listen to other teenagers. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:38:14 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784829 TrueInspired 2012-01-22T01:38:14Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784809 Posted By: TrueInspired thank you for your wishes . I really hope that the producers of the show will read this and think the same. I and my friend would love to help the children who have gone through these programs and have been seen on the show. We just dont want to be their mentors we want to be there friends, a person that they can contact when they need help. I happily support you, but I also encourage you to try to help kids who appear troubled before they get forced into scared straight programs. That way they can avoid additional emotional harm. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:32:01 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784809 RedBlood 2012-01-22T01:32:01Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784776 thank you for your wishes . I really hope that the producers of the show will read this and think the same. I and my friend would love to help the children who have gone through these programs and have been seen on the show. We just dont want to be their mentors we want to be there friends, a person that they can contact when they need help. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:18:09 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784776 TrueInspired 2012-01-22T01:18:09Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784769 I like your approach much better than scared straight programs. I wish you the best of luck in your works. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:10:55 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784769 RedBlood 2012-01-22T01:10:55Z http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784751 ...is much better than screaming in kid's faces. I hope that you are successful in your mentoring. I think most kids in trouble need help earlier on. Most kids respond to kindness and someone who listens and doesn't preach. Best wishes on your positive approach. Sun, 22 Jan 2012 01:05:28 GMT http://community.aetv.com/service/displayDiscussionThreads.kickAction?w=354336&as=119137&d=775147#discussionThread_7784751 R421 2012-01-22T01:05:28Z