What Can We Do? (continued)

Helping Adolescents and Young Adults

• Support positive, stable, and enduring relationships in their life.
• Be truthful and upfront about their life and your role.
• Be available. Let them choose a safe, comfortable setting to talk when possible.
• Actively listen without showing judgment. Validate their feelings and emotions – even when they are very hard to hear.
• Lead by example. Encourage positive behaviors and coping skills. Support their interests. Offer appropriate praise regularly.
• Give information and tools to help them understand their own history, trauma responses, and coping skills.
• Address inappropriate and destructive behaviors with consistency and calm – even if you have to calm yourself down first or get support.