There is help and encouragement all around you. Learn to draw strength from parents, family, teachers, co-workers, and friends. But in the end, you need not be afraid or ashamed to rely heavily upon yourself. Here's a great promise: start by becoming the reliable person others will trust.

Find an adult you trust and tell them one of the dark thoughts. Even just one for now. It might surprise you to learn that these thoughts are common and the adults you know might have had these thoughts too. Talk to somebody you trust.

Choosing to practice patience is a great way to cope with anger or frustration. When you can't change difficult circumstances, take a breath, slow down, and remember that you might feel very differently tomorrow or in the next few minutes!

Emotions may tell you, "This is the worst and the most unfair, horrible thing imaginable!" That moment is NOT the time to do or say anything reckless. Allow yourself space to calm down and chill out before deciding on the best response.

You deserve a break today. Pick one area of life that's causing you frustration, even if YOU are the reason for that frustration, and decide to chill out for a day or two. Give yourself a mental vacation. Even though you know the source of that frustration will eventually have to be dealt with, take a break by taking it out of your mind and putting it on the shelf for a day or so.

Learn to visualize the difference between draining and sustaining goals. All goals take work. Make sure the goals that you're pursuing are life-giving.

You are capable of handling hard things. First, dig deep within yourself to find your strength. Then, persevere without compromising your integrity. You possess more inner strength than you realize.

Falling flat on your face while attempting something is definitely no fun, but it's not the end of the story either. Look at failure like a big piece of lumber, building you, one experience at a time, into a more resilient and stronger version of yourself.

Don't run from hope. We don't always get everything we want and probably never will. Still, it is good and healthy to be hopeful. Hope may be delayed and look differently than we expected, but giving up and becoming bitter is never the answer.

The benefits of goof-ups may surprise you. DON'T keep trying to find a wrong to bring about a right. DO remember, when you unintentionally make a mess out of something, stay on high alert for ways to improve and strengthen yourself from what you went through.

One good thing about being knocked flat on your back is there is only one way to look - UP. Keep reminding yourself that there will be better days ahead, and be sure to guard against saying or doing something you would definitely regret. Exercising self-control is worth it!