Questions: Getting Help When Needed

Question 1

A friend tells you they've been having thoughts of hurting themselves, but they make you promise not to tell anyone. What should you do?

• A. Keep the promise because friends should always keep secrets
• B. Tell a trusted adult immediately, even though your friend asked you not to -- their safety is more important than keeping the secret
• C. Wait a few days to see if they feel better on their own
• D. Try to solve the problem yourself without involving adults

Answer: (B)

When someone expresses thoughts of self-harm, this is a situation that is too serious and too urgent for you to handle alone. Telling a trusted adult -- a parent, teacher, or school counselor -- is not betraying your friend; it's getting them help that could save their life. Your friend may be upset initially, but connecting them with professional support is the most caring response possible. This is a clear case where the 'secret' could cause serious harm if kept.

Question 2

You should primarily ask for help when your problem is serious enough to be a real emergency.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

Asking for help early -- before a problem becomes a crisis -- is actually more effective and healthier. Just as you'd see a doctor for a persistent cough before it becomes pneumonia, reaching out for emotional support when you're stressed, confused, or struggling is better than waiting until you're in crisis. Help-seeking is appropriate at any level of difficulty, and catching problems early makes them easier to address.

Question 3

Name three trusted adults a young person could turn to for help, and describe a situation where each would be especially appropriate.

Model answer: 1) Parent/guardian -- for personal, family, or emotional issues they notice at home. 2) School counselor -- for academic stress, social problems, bullying, or mental health concerns at school. 3) Coach or mentor -- for issues that come up in activities, or when a student needs a trusted adult who isn't a parent or teacher. Other options include teachers, religious leaders, family friends, or hotline counselors.

Different trusted adults are appropriate for different situations, and having multiple options ensures there's always someone to turn to. A student who isn't comfortable talking to a parent about a certain issue might be willing to talk to a school counselor. A student being bullied by classmates might prefer to tell a coach who isn't directly involved in the classroom dynamic. The key is having a network, not just a single point of contact.