Enrichment · Wellbeing

Pick the adult,
then pick the moment.

When something is wrong, the hardest part is often deciding whom to tell. List the adults in your life, mark who fits this problem, choose how to reach out and write your first sentence. If anyone is not safe right now, skip all of it and call or text 988.

Make a planWhat you get

Who to tell

The worked example is a made-up plan from a student whose group chat turned on them. Plans save on this device only.

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What you get

Enrichment · WellbeingFree

What you finish with
A plan with what it is about and how urgent it is; adults you could go to, by role, with where they are and how good a fit they are; your first choice and a backup; a five-point fit check; how and when you will reach out and your first sentence; afterwards whether it helped and what happens next. 988 and 911 on the page and on every printed copy.
Who it is for
Middle and high school students deciding whom to tell about a problem at school, at home, online or with their own health or mood.
Format
Browser guide with a saved plan per problem. Prints a plan, all plans or a blank form; 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. Say what it is about and how urgent it is. If someone is not safe right now, call or text 988 first.
  2. List at least two adults by role or first name and mark how good a fit each is for this.
  3. Pick a first choice and a backup, then run the fit check.
  4. Choose how and when to reach out and write your first sentence.
  5. Afterwards, note whether it helped. If not, go to your backup.

Make a plan

Getting help that sticks

Deciding when, and whomIs anyone not saferight now?yesCall or text 988or 911 if in dangernoGetting worse?Then this weekPick a good fitlistens, reachableChoose howtalk, note, bring a friendDid it help?If not, the backupDeciding when, and whomIs anyone not safe right now?Yes: call or text 988, or 911Call or text 988or 911 if someone is in dangerGetting worse? Then this weekPick a good fitlistens and is reachableChoose howtalk, note, bring a friendDid it help?If not, go to the backup
Telling one adult who does not help is not the end. Go to your backup, and keep asking until someone helps.

What adults have to pass on

Teachers, school counselors, school nurses and many other adults who work with young people are required by law to report possible abuse or neglect, and to act when someone may be in danger. That rule exists to protect you. It is fair to ask first: “If I tell you this, who else will you need to tell?”

If writing is easier

A note or an email to a counselor counts as asking. So does bringing a friend along, or starting with “I have something hard to say.” The adult’s job is to take it from there.

Sources

  1. Child Welfare Information Gateway. Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect (childwelfare.gov), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. School Connectedness and Youth connectedness (cdc.gov/healthyyouth).
  3. StopBullying.gov. Get Help Now and Cyberbullying, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (samhsa.gov/find-help/988).

The worked example is made up. This guide helps you decide whom to tell; it is not counseling, a diagnosis or a crisis service. Call or text 988 any time, or call 911 in an emergency. Your plans stay on this device until you print or export them. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.