Jack explains the dangers of inhaling helium

Dear Jack,

I have been reading your blogs that kids write to you with their problems and you try to help them. I don’t have any problems, but I heard about the death of a teenager that had to do with drinking and inhaling helium.  I know that inhaling helium makes your voice sound funny, real high and squeaky, but I didn’t know that if you’ve been drinking and do this it can kill you!  Do you have any information about this topic?

David

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 Dear David,

That was a really good question and I didn’t know the answer so I asked my mom, Toni, to check it out for me.  She found an article in the Mail Tribune, by Jeff Barnard, that explained what might happen if you inhale helium.

It “is similar to when a scuba diver surfaces too quickly.  A gas bubble gets into the blood stream, perhaps through some kind of tear in the blood vessel, and can block blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke.”  He went on to say that death from inhaling helium is rare, but it’s important to think about what you are putting into your body and the dangers of certain substances. 

I know that peer pressure can be pretty tough, but it’s important to think about the possible consequences of following the crowd.  If you have any other questions you can always call my mom at the Center. 

Bye for now.

Jack

Teen "gets pain out" by cutting arms and legs

Dear Jack,

I’m having some problems in my life and doing some things that make me feel better at the moment, but then awful later.  I haven’t told anyone, but sometimes I just need to get the pain out so I hurt myself by cutting my arms, sometimes my legs.  I feel like it’s the only thing I have control over in my life.  I know I’m not the only person who does this, but I don’t know why I do it or how to stop.  Please help.

Sue

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Dear Sue,

Thank you for being brave enough to tell me about your very personal problem.  Self-Injurious Behaviors (SIB’S) are a desire to injure.  It is a signal to pay attention to what you are feeling.  It is driven by something deep-seated; a feeling, thought or memory that perhaps is so submerged you may not even be aware of it. It is an urge, not an impulse that comes from a thought; has a purpose and is a choice. 

It’s important to talk to someone who can help you understand these things; learn alternative behaviors and know that every feeling does not have to be responded to with a negative physical action.  

Please call your teen help line, the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) or some other mental health resource in order to see someone who can help you help yourself.   

You could always call my mom, Toni, at the CAC and she would talk to you too. Her phone # is: (541) 734-5437 X 107.

Jack