Becoming a Better Mentor: Strategies to Be There for Young People

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor: Strategies to Be There for Young People is a free resource written by experts in the field to benefit any adult looking to support young people. Full of real-world advice and evidence-based strategies, it provides mentors with tangible strategies to “be there” for young people in their various life journeys and teaches them about the core skills, key principles, and critical practices of mentoring, such as:

• mindsets and attitudes that lay the foundation for a strong mentoring relationship;
• basic information about youth development and typical mentoring relationship cycles; and
• critical skills and competencies to grow and refine to meet the needs of youth.

Access the material here.

5-Step Mental Health First Aid Action Plan (ALGEE):

A – Approach, assess for risk of suicide or harm. Try to find a suitable time or place to start the conversation with the person, keeping their privacy and confidentiality in mind. If the person does not want to confide in you, encourage them to talk to someone they trust. When helping a person going through a mental health crisis, it is important to look for signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, non-suicidal self-injury, or other harm. Some warning signs of suicide include:

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself
• Seeking access to means to hurt or kill oneself
• Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide
• Feeling hopeless
• Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Withdrawing from family, friends, or society
• Appearing agitated or angry
• Having a dramatic change in mood

Always seek emergency medical help if the person’s life is in immediate danger. If you have reason to believe someone may be actively suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

L – Listen nonjudgmentally. Many people experiencing a challenge or distress want to be heard first, so let the person share without interrupting them. Try to have empathy for their situation. You can get the conversation started by saying something like, “I noticed that …” Try to be accepting, even if you don’t agree with what they are saying.

G – Give reassurance and information. It is important to recognize that mental illnesses and addictions are real, treatable illnesses from which people can and do recover. When talking to someone you believe may be experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, approach the conversation with respect and dignity and don’t blame the individual for his or her symptoms. After someone has shared their experiences and emotions with you, be ready to provide hope and useful facts.

E – Encourage appropriate professional help. The earlier someone gets help, the better their chances of recovery. So, it’s important to offer to help this person learn more about the options available to them. Visit the Mental Health Resource tab for professional resources.

E – Encourage self-help and other support strategies. This includes helping them identify their support network, programs within the community, and creating a personalized emotional and physical self-care plan. Individuals with mental illness can contribute to their own recovery and wellness through:

• Exercise
• Relaxation and meditation
• Participating in peer support groups
• Self-help books based on cognitive behavioral therapy
• Engaging with family, friends, faith, and other social networks

To learn more: link

For escalations, please reach out to April Beall or Laura Rose for assistance.