Question of the Month

"Can cheating be forgiven?"

                   What do you think? Give us your answer!

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Its All About Relationships

Cyberbullying is a by-product of social advancement in this very technologically driven time that we live in. MaineTeenTalk's Healthy Relationship Education Program offers advice and information on dealing with this problem behavior within your own community. Take a second and check out a video put together by some of our students to help inform other teens of this growing problem, as well as a commercial published by the National Ad Council in conjunction with Department of Justice designed to raise awareness of this issue.

MTT's Cyberbullying Awareness Video

U.S. Dept. of Justice & the National Ad Council's Cyberbullying Awareness Video

Cyberbullying is not the only problem behavior related to the increased use of and accessability to technology. Social networking sites and picture phones have exponentially added to the amount of personal imagery available for public viewing. This growth, while helping to connect people to a more global community, has also led to issues such as employers or college recruiters being able to view socially questionable content on personal pages to things like "sexting". In some cases such as "sexting", the sending of nude or semi-nude imagery of one's self via e-mail or text message, the consequences have been criminal, and permanent. Remember that once you send an image to someone else you have no control over what they do with that image, and that once an image is posted on-line it can never be completely taken back. Take a moment to view the video below developed by the National Ad Council concerning being careful about what you post.

U.S. Dept. of Justice & the National Ad Council's Internet Awareness Video

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Relationship Maintenance

The relationships we have with others are impacted by the behaviors we choose to engage in. As reasoning, intelligent people we make every attempt to surround ourselves with positive behaviors, while trying to avoid negative or problem behaviors. Sometimes, though, these choices can be beyond our control.

Depression affects over 15 million people every year. It causes moodiness, lack of energy, physical pain and illness. If left unchecked it can lead to thoughts of suicide. Being depressed is not a choice that someone makes. It is the result of certain biological processes, and it is treatable.

If you feel you may be suffering from symptoms of depression, seek help. Consult with a friend, a trusted adult or teacher, and make sure that you seek medical advice from your doctor. For more information on depression, including how to ask for help, please visit www.depressionisreal.org

Depression is Real PSA

Work in Progress!

As you visit MaineTeenTalk you will find that certain pages in the site are currently down for construction. These changes are necessary to make your experience here the best it can be!

Attention Teachers!

MaineTeenTalk is excited to be able to offer the first of it's 2010 workshops. The event will be held at the Maine Principal's Association facility in Augusta on February 3rd from 9am to 2pm. Come join us and take advantage of an opportunity to bring MaineTeenTalk's innovative Healthy Relationship Education program to your classroom! The workshop is free and we will provide you with free course materials as well as lunch. Sub support is also available! For more information, and to be able to register you can e-mail Tedda Yeo at tyeo@best4teens.org or call her Monday through Friday at 207-699-2464. You can also visit our educator's website at www.best4teens.org . We look forward to meeting you!

Maine Teen Talk

In partnership with Dr. Sears Zone Bars, Wolfe's Neck Farm, Road ID, BART Race Services, Shaws, and Poland Spring want to sincerely thank all the volunteers and participants who made the 1st Annual Wolfe's Neck Trek 5k such a huge success! On Saturday November 14th MaineTeenTalk and it's 5k partners successfully hosted thier first 5k event at the scenic Wolfe's Neck Farm located in Freeport. The event featured 115 runners of all ages on a beautiful 3.34 mile course that included flat road terrain as well as a wooded technical portion. MaineTeenTalk staff members and their families, volunteers from Cheverus High School, and FallBrook Woods Assisted Living Center coordinated the race day activities, and BART Racing Services provided the timing. The run was a lot of fun and a great way to help continue providing Healthy Relationship Education to Maine teens! Check out our media gallery for more pictures from the event and for a posting of the race results.

Money Problems?

Did you know that according to national polling the number one reason for divorce in the United States is money related issues? The reason is that most of us never receive any formal education on how to manage our personal finances. Click on the link below sponsored by Evergreen Credit Union and add to your financial knowledge! Increase Your Financial Awareness!

Go "Green" For Teens!

Through a partnership with "CLYNK" and Hannaford Supermarkets, you can now donate your recyclable cans and bottles to MaineTeenTalk at any "CLYNK" conveniently located in most Hannaford Supermarkets. So stop in and help MTT continue to provide Healthy Relationship education to the great state of Maine!

Help Us, Help You!

MaineTeenTalk's Teen Advisory Board is a great way to help influence the program we provide to teens. By serving on the Teen Advisory Board you can help continue to keep our program current and in touch with the issues that really affect you! To be a member of the Teen Advisory Board you must be:

* A high school aged teen

* Able to attend a monthly meeting in Portland

If you are interested please contact Jules Jensen by e-mailing her at jbjerning@best4teens.org or call her at 207-699-2464.

Coming Soon!

Keep checking the MaineTeenTalk website for registration details for this year's annual plane pull event in June. Competition was fierce last year and with a new bracketing system for the pull-teams this year's event promises to be an exciting one!