ACCESSING SUPPORT NETWORKS
Kids helpline:
Call 1800 55 1800 or scan
Bite back:
Scan
The Butterfly foundation:
Call 1800 33 4673 or scan
Youth central:
Scan
BARRIERS IN ACCESSING SUPPORT NETWORKS
There are many barriers that teenagers could face regarding accessing the suggested support networks. (A) One barrier to stop and adolescent from accessing a support network would be that a teen could be scared that someone might find out and spread rumours. (B) Another barrier stopping teens from accessing support could be that the person may not have access to a phone, the internet, or a computer. They may be facing issues with body image and with few options open to finding helpful support and information they could be limited to their sources. This barrier is more difficult for children to overcome but it is possible. (C) A third barrier to access support could be that their close family or friends are lacking support towards the issue and may even be discouraging them take constructive action.
(A) This barrier could be overcome when the teen finds faith and believes in themselves and realises that people mainly say inappropriate comment because they feel insecure about themselves. You need to believe that you're stronger than anything that society can say about you. (B) This could be overcome if you were to talk to someone you trust and they could help to give you a lift to somewhere where there is internet or a phone to use. Another option in this regard could be to find your local counselor. (C) The third barrier could be overcome by thinking about it positively and that your close family and friends who don’t support you and discourage you may not actually be bad people who intentionally want to destroy your actions. Sometimes, they just don’t understand why you do what you do, so they use their concerns and that may sometime come across as a bad thing.