Questions From Kids

Headquarters can answer your questions about getting along with other people, handling problems at school or home, and lots of other stuff. See what other kids want to know or email us your own questions! If you are 13 or under, be sure you have your parents' permission to email us.

Answered Questions

Question: i just got moved to a new school and i'm having a hard time and i'm doing things i never did at my old school i need someone to help me out

Answer: Going to a new school can be really hard - leaving someplace familiar and trying to figure out new routines and how to make new friends. It would be good for you to talk to adults who are supportive, especially since you realize that you are doing things that sound like they could lead to trouble. Kids shouldn't have to deal with hard things on their own.

Would you feel comfortable talking with an adult who you live with? Or someone at your school, like the counselor or social worker? An adult relative? The parent of a friend?

If you are in elementary school in Douglas County, you can call our Phone A Friend line at 865-2600 from Lawrence or Eudora, or 1-888-211-5333 from Baldwin. If you are in junior or senior high, you could call our crisis line - 841-2345 from Lawrence or Eudora, or 888-899-2345 from Baldwin. If you are in another community, you could use the Hopeline 1-800-SUICIDE or Helpline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to get a crisis line in your region.

We really hope you will talk to someone, and get some help with the changes of being at your new school.

Question: I'm really depressed, because whoever I get close to, moves away, and so far, two of my best friends: one, who transferred to a different school, and the other moved to Texas. Now I don't have anyone to kick it with anymore, and half the time, I'm always by myself. Like whenever I'm going to class, all of my student peers are talking and laughing and having a good time, and I'm just standing there, head tucked inbetween my legs, wondering why all these things happen to me. I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm never happy. I don't have any plans. I lost like 20 pounds, cause I'm always sitting in my room, kicking the walls. I'm always staring at the ceiling, feeling lonely, sad, and frustrated, and my parents think I need psychiatric help. Things have really changed, because whenever I was a boy, my parents would trust me and I would get so much attention. Now it's like whenever I talk to them, and ask them for advice, it's like they don't care, and they don't listen. No one understands. It just makes me want to kill myself, the more I think about it. I hate my life. What can I do? Please help me out. Yours Sincerely.

Answer: It sounds like things are difficult for you. I hear you saying that you feel really lonely because your friends have moved away and it is VERY frustrating because it feels like no one is listening to you right now. It is really difficult when you see other people laughing and having a good time and you are feeling so isolated.

I am really concerned about you because of the weight loss, feeling depressed and your thoughts of wanting to kill yourself. We take that very seriously. I know you said that no one understands or listens to you, but are there any adults in your life you could talk with? It doesn't even have to be a parent it could be a teacher, counselor, school social worker or an adult that is the friend of the family or other relative. It is really important you are talking with someone about how you are feeling.

I would really like it if you could call us here and talk more about what is going on. All of our phone numbers are confidential. We do not have caller ID and you do not have to give us your name unless you want us to. The only time we will notify other adults is if something is dangerous to you or someone else.

You can reach us 24 hours a day seven days a week. If you live in Lawrence or Eudora you can call us free at 841-2345. If you live outside of those cities please call the Hopeline toll free at 1-800-784-2433. Again, I really want to encourage you to call us as soon as possible, and to talk with a safe adult in your life. If you can't call, please send another message with your email address and we can figure out another way to help. We really want you to be safe.

Question: Where can I go to get more information on suicide for a research paper I have to do?

Answer: Thanks for asking! Our website gives some good information, and some links to additional resources. But to give you a better answer, it would be helpful to know more about you and what you want to learn about.

For example...

Maybe you've had some personal experience with suicide, and it would be good for you to talk with us. Maybe you're a high school student and particularly interested in teen suicide, and we could tell you about some resources that would be especially helpful. Maybe you need to interview "an expert" for your paper, and you would like to talk with Headquarters Director.