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Hot tip: People are not binary ok/not ok.
We're complex and can experience both, neither or anything outside those states.
If you sense someone is struggling, your openness to hearing where they're at helps them feel seen and reassured.
Some alternative questions
We're complex and can experience both, neither or anything outside those states.
If you sense someone is struggling, your openness to hearing where they're at helps them feel seen and reassured.
Some alternative questions
Share your observations using non-stigmatizing language:
"I notice a difference in you today. What's been going on?"
"There's a difference in your tone of voice/body language today that makes me wonder about how you're doing."
"I notice a difference in you today. What's been going on?"
"There's a difference in your tone of voice/body language today that makes me wonder about how you're doing."
Opening up a conversation:
"I'm curious about what you just said. Is it ok for me to ask you more about it?"
"I'm having a hard time with everything going on right now. How are you finding this time?"
"What things have you tried to manage those moments that feel really hard?'
"I'm curious about what you just said. Is it ok for me to ask you more about it?"
"I'm having a hard time with everything going on right now. How are you finding this time?"
"What things have you tried to manage those moments that feel really hard?'
Checking in:
"We haven't chatted in a while. What's happening on your end?" - notice what's NOT being described then ask follow up about that area, seeking consent to go there.
"You've been on my mind. What's been going on?"
"Can we have a chat about how you're doing?"
"We haven't chatted in a while. What's happening on your end?" - notice what's NOT being described then ask follow up about that area, seeking consent to go there.
"You've been on my mind. What's been going on?"
"Can we have a chat about how you're doing?"
Avoid making yourself seem like the stronger one reaching out. You're someone who pays attention and cares. You're an equal/peer/friend. Be alongside them. Listen. Appreciate their way of managing their struggle.
For every person you support, receive support from someone else.
For every person you support, receive support from someone else.
