An important thing to note is that it is not your job to evaluate or treat someone in need. Rather you should listen and assist the individual in getting to the right treatment professional.

How to Respond When Approached

• Listen – stop what you are doing, look at the person and LISTEN. Listening is the most important part of communication and its hard to listen when you are talking. Wait until the other person finishes talking before asking your questions.
• Maintain Open Body Language – Do not cross your arms and appear stand offish. If they are having a hard time opening up, try to have the conversation sitting side by side. Face to face can sometime cause additional stress.
• Do Not Judge – accept the information you are being given. You can ask questions but do so without judgement. Avoid premature conclusions based on your life experiences.
• Encourage – It can be hard to talk about certain individuals to talk about what they are going through. Indicate that you are glad that they came to you and thank them for talking to you
• Give Information – Let them know what resources are available to them, both in the DIA or through the University’s Counseling Center.
• Know Your Limits – You can not change the person because you have very limited control. You should help recognize and refer.
• Take Care of Yourself – It can be difficult to have these conversations and they can weigh heavily on you. Make sure if it is causing you undue stress or worry, that you take the time to take care of yourself

How to Respond When Someone is in Need and Has Not Approached You

• Approach them Privately – This will decrease the likelihood of embarrassment and will help avoid any other activity that could be consider distractions.
• Sensitivity is Key – Start by saying that you are concerned about their welfare and would like to offer help.
• Ask How They Are Doing – Ask how they are feeling. How is school? How are practice and games going? This should hopefully help allow the individual to open up with you.
• From there, the conversation should follow the same guidelines as above.

Common Mistakes

• Responding as if the problem is trivial or is a sign of weakness. Even if you cannot understand the seriousness or difficulty of someone’s problem, you must accept that it is serious to them. Mental health problems are illnesses – not choices.
• Filling Silences – Not all silences are bad. Often it is just giving the other person time to think and process.
• Do not use sarcasm, patronizing states or laugh at someone.
• You are not a Mental Health Professional! Refer to the appropriate people. Check our resources page for more information.