Enrichment · Wellbeing

Say the first sentence.
The rest gets easier.

Telling an adult that something is wrong is often the hardest part of getting help. Plan it: pick the adult and a backup, a time with some privacy, the first sentence, what you want them to know and what you are asking them to do. Print it as a pocket note if the words might not come.

Start a planWhat you get

Conversation plans

The worked example is made up: a student planning to tell a coach about feeling low since September, with a counselor as backup, and a plan asking an aunt to keep something secret, which the page explains. Plans save on this device only.

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What you get

Enrichment · WellbeingFree

What you finish with
A plan per conversation with the adult, a backup adult, when and where, how soon it needs to happen and the date; the first sentence, what you want them to know and what you are asking for; four steps to get ready; when it happened and how it went; a pocket note to print; flags for no backup, a secrecy request, an urgent conversation and a plan not held after a week.
Who it is for
Middle school, high school and college students who need to tell an adult something hard, and the counselors and parents who want to make that easier.
Format
Browser planner with a saved record per conversation. Prints a pocket note with your words, the full plan or a blank planner; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Wellbeing space in Caveat Enrichment.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Pick one adult you trust, and a backup.
  2. Choose a time and place with some privacy.
  3. Write your first sentence and the one thing you want them to know.
  4. Choose what you are asking for: to listen, to help find someone, to come with you.
  5. Have the conversation, then note how it went and what is next.

Start a plan

Three moves

A hard conversation, in three moves1OpenAsk for a moment and say it matters.“Can I talk to you about something important?”2Say one true thingWhat is going on and how long it has lasted.“I have been feeling low most days since September.”3Ask for somethingTell them what would help right now.“Can you help me find someone to talk to?”If they do not help, try your backup adult.A hard conversation, in three moves1OpenAsk for a moment and say it matters.“Can I talk to you about somethingimportant?”2Say one true thingWhat is going on and how long it has lasted.“I have been feeling low most dayssince September.”3Ask for somethingTell them what would help right now.“Can you help me find someone totalk to?”Not helpful? Try your backup adult.
Example words. Yours can be shorter, messier or written on your phone and read out; that works too.

Who counts as a trusted adult

Someone who listens without making it about them and would help you get help: a parent or relative, a coach, a teacher, a school counselor or nurse, a faith leader, a friend’s parent. It does not have to be the closest person in your life, just someone you think would take it seriously.

What adults have to share

Most of what you tell a trusted adult can stay between you. The exception is safety: if you or someone else could be hurt, school staff and many other adults have to get help, and some are required by law to report abuse. A good adult will tell you what they need to share and who they will tell.

Sources

  1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Talk. They Hear You. and guidance for young people on asking for help (samhsa.gov).
  2. National Institute of Mental Health. Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage? and help-seeking guidance (nimh.nih.gov).
  3. Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a): states require certain professionals to report suspected abuse.
  4. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call, text or chat 988 (988lifeline.org).

The worked example is made up. This planner is for getting ready to talk; it is not a diagnosis, treatment or a crisis service. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.