Action 3: Give support and information cont.
problems for them. This can make it harder for them to feel empowered, or capable to make changes to improve their own situation. It is important that they don’t develop a dependency on your support. Practical assistance will vary depending on the relationship you have with the young person, the setting you are in, and the stressors that they are experiencing. You may find that supporting the young person means assisting them to access help with their schoolwork, workplace workload, or accompanying them to an activity club to make friends. If you are based in an education setting, you may be in contact with teaching staff about how best to support the mental health of young people in the classroom. Guidance can include: Sharing the day’s timetable, preferably both verbally and visually, at the beginning of the day. If any changes happen throughout the day give as much notice as you can Using a buddy system – choose a young person happy to be a buddy to another who is struggling. Teach the buddy how to show support and empathy; teach ideas of games to play that will encourage these ideas. Support the buddy’s wellbeing too (102)
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