How to Guides
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR MOOD
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/choose-mood.html?WT.ac=t-ra
https://au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-shake-a-crap-mood
HOW TO HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE (TEENS)
https://au.reachout.com/articles/6-ways-to-be-body-positive
https://www.wikihow.com/Have-a-Positive-Attitude-(for-Teens)
https://www.wikihow.com/Stay-Positive-in-School
https://www.divyaparekh.com/2014/02/teens-positive-thinking-easy/
HOW TO COPE WITH THE
STRESS OF TRAUMATIC EVENTS
https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-the-stress-of-natural-disasters/
https://au.reachout.com/articles/dealing-with-bad-world-news
https://au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-cope-with-anxiety-about-climate-change
Bushfires:
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=288&id=2724
Terrorism:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/anxiety-files/201802/how-think-about-terrorism
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/worries-about-the-world/
HOW TO TALK TO ADULTS
1. Choose an adult you trust
e.g. parent, aunts/uncles, teachers, school counsellors, doctors etc.
Remember: if they are concerned for you, or someone else's welfare, they may need to reach out to a professional to guide them, and you.
2. Think about what you want from them - and tell them
e.g.
"Please I need to get this off my chest but I ask that you just listen and don't give me advice"
"Can you please give me some advice .."
"Can you please support me with .."
"Can you please help me solve [a problem]"
"Please help me get to [professional help or another help source e.g. teacher]"
Remember: if they are concerned for you, or someone else's welfare, they may need to reach out to a professional to guide them, and you.
3. Think about how you feel about telling this person and use that feeling in your words
e.g.
"I'm afraid you may be mad at me .."
"I feel ashamed about this .."
"This is really embarrassing but .. "
4. Practice - think about what you want to say, you can write it down, and say it out loud
5. Choose a time when they are not too busy or too distracted
e.g. talking in the car can be a good time
Note: It could be a good idea to set up a time with them beforehand, especially if they are a teacher or school counsellor.
6. Don't like face-to-face .. You can use YourCrew to text, share your safety plan, share a page in your journal, use the 'don't have the words' function (found in the emergency button) and even call a member of your Crew
Other:
https://au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-have-difficult-conversations
HOW TO TALK TO PEOPLE YOU ARE HELPING
1. Listen. It is incredible how having someone actively listen to you and accept how you feel about something helps someone solve their own problems or recognise, sometimes with your help, the need to speak to parents, a doctor or other professional service.
2. Validate their feelings. You don't have to agree but try and put yourself in their shoes and understand how they feel. Let them speak without interruption. Reflect back what they have said to you without giving your judgement. e.g.:
"That sounds like a terrible thing you have been through..."
"I understand why that would make you feel this way."
3. Communicate your support - let them know you are here to support and help them.
"I can help you get the help you need, let's go and talk to ..."
"Do you want me to help you talk to your parents?"
"I'm here for you to talk to whenever you need."
If this a really difficult topic for you, say:
"This is bigger than both of us. I would like to ask an adult for help" or
"This is bigger than both of us, I think we need to make an appointment with [GP, psychologist, school counsellor or other professional]"
You can also call KHL, or 000 if an emergency, and ask their advice
4. Give praise.
"That was really brave of you to tell me about ..."
"I'm so honoured you have chosen me to talk about .."
5. Show trust. Show them you trust how they feel and involve them in coming up with their own solutions. e.g
"I can understand why you feel bad about that. How could you handle that conversation differently next time?"
6. Control your emotions. If what they tell you is difficult to hear, take a deep breath and let them finish. Try not to judge or show disapproval or shock. If you need help refer to 7 below.
7. Professional Help. If you feel uncomfortable with the topic or it is something you feel needs professional help. Tell them
"This is bigger than both of us, I think we need to make an appointment with [GP, psychologist, school counsellor or other professional]"
Help them get to the help they need.
8. Look after yourself. Sometimes it can be hard to support someone. It can also trigger some feelings in you that you find hard to cope with. Make sure you have a good support network around you - set up your own Crew - and talk to them if you need support.
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AT SCHOOL
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-New-Friends-at-School
** might be too commercial https://www.teenvogue.com/gallery/how-to-make-friends-in-high-school-shy?verso=true
HOW TO STAY FIT AND HEALTHY AT SCHOOL
https://www.wikihow.com/Stay-Fit-in-Middle-School