Supportive Adults

Topic: Understanding Today’s Youth

GOAL: Learn about new challenges that youth are facing today.

The world has changed! Technology, social media, and new pressures can make life more stressful and confusing for young people. Problems that may seem small to an adult can feel very serious to a youth.

Examples of Challenges Youth Face Today:

• Social media and constant online comparison
• Cyberbullying and online harassment
• Pressure to succeed academically, socially, and financially
• Increased awareness and discussion of mental health struggles
• Fear and uncertainty about the future, including housing, employment, and climate concerns
• Exposure to world events and traumatic news 24/7
• Navigating identity, belonging, and peer acceptance
• Loneliness and social isolation despite constant digital connection
• Growing up in a fast-paced world with fewer opportunities for downtime and rest

You don’t need to have all the answers to support a young person! One of the most important parts of building a strong relationship with youth is how you talk and listen to them.
This means staying curious, listening carefully, and asking open-ended questions that help youth share their thoughts and feelings.

Cheat Sheet: Tips for Talking With Youth

Topic: Healthy Development

1. Youth are discovering who they are. Young people are figuring out their values, interests, strengths, and future goals.
   What can you do? Check in with the young person in your life, encourage them to explore their strengths and interests, and support them in setting goals.
2. Relationships matter. Young people learn communication, conflict resolution, and boundaries by watching adults. Also, feeling emotionally safe makes youth more likely to ask for help.
   What can you do? Model respect and healthy boundaries; be consistent and dependable.
3. Youth are learning to understand and manage their emotions. They need opportunities to develop healthy coping skills and practice emotional regulation.
   What can you do? Help youth name emotions; adults can also model healthy coping and stay calm during difficult conversations.
4. Growth comes through practice. Youth build confidence by making decisions, solving problems, and learning from mistakes.
   What can you do? Encourage problem-solving, support goal setting, and celebrate effort and progress.
5. Connection is the greatest protective factor. Young people face many challenges, including stress, relationships, mental health concerns, substance use, and major life transitions. A trusted adult can make a lasting difference.
   What can you do? Check in regularly, recognize signs that a youth may be struggling, and connect them with additional support when needed.

• One action you will take this week
• One action you will take this month
• One strength you bring to your relationship with the young person in your life

Topic: Having Difficult Conversations

GOAL: Reflect on which topics you feel comfortable and uncomfortable talking about with youth.

Take a moment to think about how comfortable you feel talking about these topics with your youth:

• Romantic relationships, such as dating and marriage
• Gender roles, relations, or identities
• Sexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and other sexual identities
• Sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy, contraception, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases
• Masturbation and pornography
• Political and social issues

Source: Unicef - Discussing sensitive topics.

It’s normal to feel uncomfortable talking about topics you do not know much about or that connect to your own experiences or beliefs. But when helping youth, it is important to be able to talk about sensitive topics in a calm and supportive way. This cheat sheet can help you if you ever find yourself in one of these situations. Be sure to check out the resource library to learn more about some of these topics.

What If They Don't Want to Talk?

Sometimes a young person may not be ready to talk about what is bothering them. This does not necessarily mean they do not trust you or that they do not need support.

Youth may need time to process their thoughts, may feel unsure how to express themselves, or may not be ready to discuss a sensitive topic.

If a young person does not want to talk:

• Respect their choice and avoid pressuring them.
• Let them know you are available whenever they are ready.
• Continue showing interest and support in everyday interactions.
• Check in again at another time.
• Remember that trust is built through many small conversations, not just one big discussion.

You might say: “That's okay. You don't have to talk about it right now. Just know that I'm here if you ever want to."

Sometimes the most important thing a supportive adult can do is keep the door open for future conversations.

Cheat Sheet: Tips for Discussing Sensitive Topics

Topic: Mental Health

GOAL: Learn the warning signs that a young person may show if they are experiencing a mental health challenge, along with a cheat sheet with tips on how to respond.

Just like young people can experience physical illnesses or injuries, they can also experience emotional and mental health challenges, such as stress, sadness, loneliness, grief, trauma, etc.

Most young people will experience ups and downs. However, when emotional or behavioral changes are intense, last for several weeks, or begin affecting daily life, it may be a sign that additional support is needed.

Warning Signs

Signs That Require Immediate Attention

Take concerns seriously if a young person:

• Talks about wanting to die or hurt themselves
• Expresses feelings of hopelessness or having no reason to live
• Engages in self-harm
• Makes threats toward others
• Reports abuse, exploitation, or serious safety concerns

If you believe a young person may be in immediate danger, seek emergency assistance or crisis support right away.

Protective Factors That Support Mental Health

Protective factors are the people, experiences, skills, and resources that help support a young person's mental health and well-being. These factors can reduce the impact of stress, adversity, and challenges while helping youth build resilience.

Examples of protective factors include:

• Strong relationships with supportive adults
• Positive friendships
• Healthy coping skills
• Connection to culture and community
• Involvement in meaningful activities
• A sense of purpose and belonging.

While protective factors cannot eliminate life's difficulties, they can help youth navigate challenges more successfully and promote positive mental health over time.

Cheat Sheet: What Adults Can Do to Support Youth Mental Health

Topic: Safety

Most conversations with youth can remain private and focused on listening and support. However, there are times when a young person's safety may be at risk, and additional help is needed.

If a young person:

• Talks about wanting to die or hurt themselves
• Engages in self-harm
• Expresses feelings of hopelessness or having no reason to live
• Reports abuse, neglect, exploitation, or grooming
• Makes threats of serious harm toward others
• Appears to be in immediate danger

It is important to take these concerns seriously and seek additional support.

When safety is at risk, your role is not to handle the situation alone or keep it a secret. Your role is to help connect the young person with appropriate support and resources that can help keep them safe. This may include contacting a parent or caregiver, school personnel, a healthcare provider, a mental health professional, emergency services, or other trusted supports.

You can say:

“Thank you for telling me. I'm really glad you shared this with me. Your safety is important, and I want to help make sure you get the support you need.”

If a young person is in immediate danger, call 911 or contact emergency services. If they are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Remember: Taking action when safety is at risk is a sign of care and support, not a betrayal of trust.

Tip for Supportive Adults: If you are unsure whether a situation requires additional support, it is usually better to consult with a qualified professional than to manage the concern on your own.