Youth and Teens
You can offer non judgmental support to your peers. As you know a conversation with someone your own age is often the only place where there is nobody judging or telling a young person what to do.
you can also madel caring and compassionate behavior for people your own age and younger. If you see someone in need, you don’t have to be a bystander. You can be an ally, friend and supporter.
What can you do?
Become an official or unofficial mentor to a younger child.
Children look up to older youth and having someone like you in their corner can be a source of great support. Simply by having a basic relationship with a sibling, a friend’s sibling a neighbor or a younger classmate, you serve as someone a child can turn to.
Don’t be a bystander.
Step in when you see someone being targeted or treated badly. If you feel unsafe to intervene yourself make an effort to connect with a trusted adult, parent, older sibling, teacher or coach to tell them what you saw and identify who may need help.
Shape the world with your everyday actions.
Every choice you make in how you interact with those close to you or those who are simply in your shere can help change the culture so that all youth feel supported and connected. National child welfare experts have developed a handbook especially for first responders that outlines how to recognize and deal with cases of child abuse and neglect. The Department of Justice has a similar guide specifically for members of law enforcement.
Reach out when you feel isolated.
Break isolation.
Take advantage of any opportunity to break the isolation of other youth who you think may be lonely. This can be as simple as saying hi in the hallway, talking on the bus, or asking about someone’s weekend.
Be a resource for your peers.
Know what’s available at your school or in your community so that you can offer suggestion to someone who needs support. Offer to go with a friend to talk to a trusted adult about a problem or recommend specific resources.
Volunteer.
As volunteers, youth are highly prized and always in demand because of your unique roles and because of the energy and dedication you bring to the causes you care about.