Trust develops by using empathy to engage, reach out, and give support.
- Why: Social support is considered one of the best protections from the effects of stress and suicide. Trust is foundational to all relationships, whether personal, professional or organizational.
- How: Develop your social support system by identifying the challenge or challenges you may be facing. Consider people who would be helpful dealing with a challenge and the role each would play.
- ☐ Consider your challenge and identify your strengths and weaknesses to better identify your needs and the support you bring.
- ☐ Consider people who best meet your needs while assuring you are comfortable reaching out to them and they are comfortable reaching out to you. Recognize you are using empathy to "see through the eyes of another" to help determine their comfort level.
- ☐ Identify those individuals in your support system, the skills or qualities they provide, and how to contact them.
- ☐ Identify also the contributions you make to help keep your support system going.
- Example: I have an uneasy feeling that one of my friends may be thinking about suicide. I need a plan on how to approach my friend.
- ☐ My challenge is to help a friend who may be thinking about suicide.
- ☐ I realize that I am now part of this person's social support system and I have a role to play.
- ☐ I recognize suicide is one of the leading causes of death for teens and young adults.
- ☐ I am prepared to reach out to the person and listen.
- ☐ I question the person about the possibility of suicide.
- ☐ I persuade the person to get help.
- ☐ I refer the person to specialized help to include suicide hotline, getting the person to assistance or calling 911 if critical.
