How It Works

Help-seeking draws upon various skills:

• Awareness of self (body/brain/feeling: see related COPECARD), others and one’s setting (look around)

• Need and risk assessment (ask questions)

• Problem solving (brainstorm)

• Communication (call, write, talk, pray)

• Collaboration (reach out)

• Persistence (never give up)

These skills support help-seeking action by equipping us to know:

• WHEN there is a need or problem (self, other and situational/environmental awareness)

• WHAT type of help is needed (person: friend, place: hospital, thing: water)

• WHO to ask (friend, firefighter)

• WHERE to find the help

• HOW to apply the help given

How to Use

Use your help-seeking skills to get your needs met or to solve problems. For example:  persist in asking: ask, ask again, keep asking until you get the help you need, keep telling your story until someone listens, never give up.  If you feel stuck, use your coping skills of breathing and grounding to settle your brain, then begin again: identify your needs, the problem, the type of help, who to ask, where to find the help and how to use it.  Keep going.

When to Use

• Any time there is a need or a problem, for yourself or others

• Keep card in view to reinforce help-seeking behavior

What It Can Do

Help-seeking promotes:

• self/other advocacy:  that getting needs met/solving problems is valid, acceptable

• self-efficacy: belief that one has the ability to seek help, one can take action

• self-agency:  that seeking help will make a difference

• self-regulation: knowing one can get help promotes emotional stability, decreases distress

• help-offering skills, building relationships

Asking for help can save your life and someone else’s life: go ask for help