ROADS (Reaching out about Depression and Suicide)

Practice Active Listening

Hearing someone talk is different from actively listening to what that person is saying. Active listening requires concentration and understanding. Improving your listening skills is easy to do with practice and these helpful tips.

Acknowledge the Speaker

This can be as simple as a head nod or an “Uh huh.” By acknowledging the speaker, you are letting them know that you are listening to what they have to say and reminding yourself to pay attention to what is being said to you.

Respond Verbally

Asking questions or making statements may help clarify what the speaker is saying. It reminds the speaker that you are listening attentively and that you are here to help them and are truly concerned. Be sure to let the speaker finish talking before asking any questions.

Summarize What You Hear

Reflecting on what the listener is saying is also a positive verbal active listening technique. By repeating, paraphrasing or even summarizing what the speaker has said shows that you are putting in effort to better understand them. Use phrases like; “what I’m hearing is…”or, “sounds like you’re saying….” These tactics can also allow the speaker to hear what they are saying, which may help them find positive reinforcement.

Look the Part

Keeping eye contact, maintaining good posture, and staying focused are key components of active listening and interpersonal communication. Being distracted and unfocused gives the speaker the impression that you aren’t paying attention.

When you actively listen to someone, you are letting them know that you care about what they are saying and can indicate that you are concerned for their health and safety.   Click for more

Protective Factors:

• Coping and problem-solving skills

• Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide

• Connections to friends, family, and community support

• Supportive relationships with care providers

• Availability of physical and mental health care

• Limited access to lethal means among people at risk

Make schools safer by improving access to mental health services. 🏫

Students often come to school with complex physical and mental health concerns or social service needs. Access to mental health services helps to create a positive school climate, prevents worsening of mental health conditions, and leads to better outcomes for students.

Mental health challenges are common among students. According to the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, up to 1 in 5 children living in the United States experience a mental disorder every year. Symptoms often start in early childhood, although some may develop during the teenage years.

By supporting students who are experiencing mental health challenges, schools can help foster a sense of safety and promote better academic and behavioral outcomes. Providing access to mental health services can reduce mental, emotional, and behavioral difficulties with students at risk.

Brett & Kate McKay • September 20, 2021 • Last updated: March 14, 2022

“Podcast #741: The Exercise Prescription for Depression and Anxiety”   🚶🏻🚴‍♀️ 🏋️

Listen to the interview

Equine Therapy 🐴

Equine therapy receives recognition as a healing therapeutic process. In addition, horses have a unique sensitivity to people’s feelings. Therefore, the human-horse connection allows residents to address emotions and issues. They do this through a powerful, direct experience of nonverbal communication. Consequently, Equine-Assisted Therapy can be especially effective with teens who are resistant to talk-therapy. Teens learn about themselves and others by working with horses, therapists, and peers. It can be used for psycho-social and mental-health needs that include anxiety, psychotic, and mood disorders; behavioral difficulties; mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and major life changes that include environmental changes, divorce, grief, and loss. Click to read some research