Do you have supports? Make use of them.
- Choose the right person.
Look for someone who shows you they understand how difficult things might be for you. This could be someone who listens without judging or who checks in with you after your first conversation. - Can they share your experience?
It can help to find someone who has gone through a similar situation and who feels comfortable sharing how they navigated their feelings and challenges. This could be a peer, older sibling, a mentor, or someone you connect with through a support group. - You can try again.
If you take the first step and find the person isn’t supportive (for example, if they’re judgmental), try again with someone else. It’s not a reflection of you – some people simply don’t know how to respond in the moment, and that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve support. - Look for empathy.
Try to find someone who provides empathy and support, rather than someone who downplays your feelings (for example, with statements like, “it isn’t a big deal” or “get over it”)
