hey DashingDaisy,

Thanks for being so honest with us, I know it’s confusing to expect a fast reply and then not hear back. Please know that we work varying hours and are not always able to get back to you within a day.

Our understanding of the technical issues surrounding our SMS service is that messages failing to be sent/received is an inherent characteristic of the technology. In other words, we believe this to be part of the nature of Text messaging, and separate from the website.

We appreciate how mind-blowingly frustrating it is to send a message and not hear back. Grrrr technology! Please keep in mind, that if you have not received a “In Queue. Please wait.” message, then your message did not get thru to us. In this case, please send your message again.

I’m glad you feel comfortable telling us when things aren’t working out on your end. We sincerely want the service to be the best it can, and getting feedback about problems helps us know whats working for ya…or not

Hoping to connect with you soon,
the Support Team

Hi JoAnn,

Thanks for your message, it sounds like you’re looking for some specific answers. Like we told Shorty, it’s best to go to the source, and that would be the Ministry of Children and Family Development or MCFD at 250-952-4707. The specific school district (or even the school) might be able to answer some of your questions. As far as I understand it here, everyone 16 yrs or younger needs to have a legal guardian, but some 17 and 18 yr olds can advocate for themselves depending on the circumstances. But like I said, you’d want to check it out further.

I hope this helps a bit! We’re here for you JoAnn… if you wanna talk about anything, or need some more support.

the Support Team

Hey SophRayne,

Welcome to youthspace — I’m really glad you came here to talk. I can hear how excruciatingly painful things are for you right now… and it sounds like this torment has been weighing on you for a long time. :’( I imagine it must be exhausting to feel like no matter how hard you fight, it still feels like its one step forward, two steps back.

Oh SophRayne, I’m so sorry to hear you were sexually assaulted — no one ever, EVER deserves to be hurt like that. I imagine the bullying and harassment would force so many memories and fears to the surface every day…

It sounds like self harm is one way you’ve tried to deal with the huge weight you’re carrying — yet I’m sensing it’s not helping the way you want it to (and that maybe it adds to the confusion at times too?) You mentioned that you attempted suicide in the past… I’m so glad you’re okay. How’re you feeling about it now?

I can hear how desperately you’re wanting help and support… is there a particular kind of help that you’re seeking (we can direct you to resources if you want)? Regardless if you want a specific resource or not, we’re totally ‘hear’ for you to get out some of this pain you’re carrying around. We have the forum, and chat too, every night 6-11 pm on the west coast. Have you been able to get support from anyone else in your life?

Stay connected, and stay strong
The Support Team.

Hey Zebra,

So glad to hear things are getting better with the bullying, although I would guess you’re wondering whether they really are better; it sounds like you’ve traded feeling safe at school for feeling unsafe walking around town. I imagine it’s getting harder and harder to come back after visiting back home. :S

I can hear how important it is for you to eat healthy, and the junk food is adding yet another reason for you to not want to stick around at home. I imagine you’re wondering what would be more stressful….staying where you are now, or dealing with the pressures of independent living. I’m wondering whether you’ve been able to talk to anyone who could outline your options if you chose to move out on your own? I know we’ve listed MCFD as a resource, but if you would like us to suggest further resources for you just let us know

I hear ya that speaking is so much more daunting than typing when it comes to talking about what’s most vulnerable in our hearts (not to mention the stress of parents maybe overhearing!!). Our live chat is actually ALL typing too, there’s no talking at all…it’s more like facebook chatting or text messaging back and forth with us (in fact, you can text us from your phone from 6pm-11pm too, just text 778-783-0177 and we’ll text back!). If you’d like to try it out on your computer, just click the “Support Team is Online. Click here to enter” link at the top right corner of our website (it will say “offline” and not be a link when we aren’t here, outside 6pm-11pm). We’d love to hear from you that way too, but if it’s not your cup of tea no worries, we’re HEAR on the forum too!!

the Support Team

Hey Dashing Daisy,

Sounds like a lot has been happening for you! How are you coping with the ups and downs… what’s helping you keep everything together?

Im worried about you being bashed by M’s ex (and others?) – jealousy is a scary emotion. From what you wrote before, you sound worried about the opinions that other people have of your relationship (whatever it is). I can really understand how much it frustrates and scares you to think about what others think and say (and do) about it when they don’t really know what’s going on. Theres so much judgment in our world

Before, it sounded like you were somewhat angry at the role that sex played in your life; it sounded like you felt urges that you wish you didn’t have and were frustrated that you were obliged to seek sexual partners to satisfy you. Now though, I’m hearing that you’re enjoying your time with M, including the sexual intimacy? I would imagine that it’s a relief to find a person who can satisfy your urges, and be fun to hang out with? You also mentioned your experience at the addiction services group… even though you have so much frustration, you keep fighting for help… your determination is incredible – you go! Its inspiring

Stay strong DashingDaisy. I know these are times of change for you… know you’re not alone.

the Support Team

Hi Marie221,

I know its not much, but I care about you… we all do at Youthspace And we’re worried about you, Marie221. It sounds like everything has become SO overwhelming that you need drastic ways of coping. I hope youre taking care of yourself and being as safe you can – we want you to be okay.

Im sorry your mom didnt take you seriously, or even listen to how much youre hurting… I can’t even imagine how much it stung when she laughed at you after you told her you wanted to die :'( It doesnt sound like she’s able to be the mom you need her to be. Have youve been able to tell anyone else how bad things are?

Oh Marie221, Im really hearing that it feels like no one cares or understands what youre going through… it doesnt sound like you feel safe at school or at home… like you have no where soft to land But Im also hearing that you havent given up entirely… although you feel beyond done, youre still trying to find reasons and ways to hang on.

Im really glad youre reaching out to talk about how youre doing – I hope you feel a little less alone We here for you Marie221… stay strong.

the Support Team

Hey Zebra,

I can hear how completely overwhelmed you are.. it sounds like this stress has been building up and up for a long time now, and you have no way to get any of it out. I’m glad you came to youthspace — we’re definitely here to talk about what’s on your mind.

I’m sensing that before your move, you’d been managing to balance everything going on (friends, parents, school, work, adhd..), and even if things weren’t going that smoothly, they were manageable? Things really went downhill with the move though hey? I can hear how isolated you feel with no friends to turn to and get support where you are — especially when the people who are around you are gossiping such hurtful things behind your back. :’(

To answer your question about getting your own place, you can legally move out in BC when you’re 16, but you could lose your right to financial help, and your parents might not be willing to support you financially either. I’m not an expert in legal things or anything though, so if you’re looking for more detailed info, I encourage you to call the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD)… their number is 250.952.4707.

I’m curious how you’ve been dealing with all this stress? It sounds like smoking used to be a way to cope, but you’ve worked hard to give that up… anything been helping you to quit? You mentioned that sometimes things get so bad, you think you’d be better off dead… i’m wondering if suicide has begun to seem like an option for you?

We’re totally ‘hear’ for you to get out your bottled up feelings Zebra.

Take care,
The Support Team.