Life can get pretty lonely when you have a problem and feel like you don’t have anyone to talk to, especially if that problem is a big one.

Luckily, finding help can be as easy as going to your school counselor, who can recommend a support groups.

Schools host support groups for teens dealing with all sorts of issues. Eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, grief, pregnancy, teens who cut, low self-esteem... pretty much anything you might be going through.

“We assess our students each year and then try to provide support groups according to their needs,” says Nancy Nelson, guidance counselor at Benton High School.

Students can ask to join a certain support group, or counselors might suggest a group if they feel a student needs someone to talk to.

For teens in trouble, knowing they’re not alone can make a big difference.

“When a student has life difficulty, that can often impact every area of their life,” Ms. Nelson says, “so having an opportunity to work with someone on that issue, and to be with other students that share similar concerns, can really help them to get them through that hard time.”

“They’re surprised that there are other kids that have the same kinds of issues and problems they have,” says Terrie Johnson, guidance counselor at Lafayette High School.

Teens can share ideas and ways on how they handle problems that other students might not have thought of, she adds.

“Sometimes when you have a problem, you think you’re the only person in the world who’s experiencing that,” she says.

“So it’s good to hear that other people have the same problem and what they do to maintain.”

And having an outlet to talk about their big problems can help teens focus on other things in their lives, like school.

“... they can’t focus on math, English and science when they have these big issues in their hearts,” Ms. Johnson says. “So once you get that off your chest, it’s easier to do the things that need to be done.”

Lifestyles reporter Lacey Storer can be e-mailed at lstorer@npgco.com