Order your copy of The Straight Talk Manual ebook Now! Order your copy of The Straight Talk Manual CD ROM Now! Order your copy of The Straight Talk Manual Game Now!

10 tips that may be useful in your work with young people.

  1. Let kids know that you're available to talk to. Create opportunities and a safe space for sharing ideas, feelings and experiences.
  2. Encourage young people to keep a journal. This keeps them in touch with what is happening in their lives and their feelings about it.
  3. Ensure the young people in your life know where to go for help if and when they ever need it. Suggest that the names of 5 trusted adults and their phone numbers be written down and kept in a safe and handy place.
  4. Learn basic counselling skills. Being an effective counsellor does not necessarily require years of training or practice. If you suspect a young person is in serious trouble though, contact your local child protective or health services. Become familiar with your community's youth services. Know when to listen and when to seek professional help.
  5. Encourage young people to get involved in their community. Brainstorm ways to help the environment or people in need. Join a group. It's a great way to make new friends while doing something enjoyable, worthwhile and interesting. It's a big self-esteem booster too.
  6. Encourage young people to become co-counsellors. Partners take turns being the listener and then the speaker. The speaker has the opportunity to talk about whatever they want while the listener practices being supportive and understanding.
  7. Collect pamphlets and information from community agencies like Kids Helpline, Anglicare and other youth services and make them available to kids.
  8. Create opportunities for young people to help each other. The more we reach out to others, the easier it gets. In the process, new friendships and 'support networks' are made.
  9. Encourage young people to become aware of the messages they give themselves. Our way of thinking and beliefs about ourselves are within our control. Negative and unhelpful thoughts can and will influence the kinds of experiences we have.
  10. Encourage young people in your life to become responsible for their self-esteem, communication skills, values and for developing the confidence to ask for help if and when it's ever needed. Let them know that everybody needs help sometimes.