Emotional Safety
What is one sign that you may be becoming emotionally overwhelmed?
Possible answers: Feeling very irritated, shutting down, isolating, crying, racing thoughts, feeling numb, or having difficulty concentrating.
What is a boundary?
A boundary communicates what you are comfortable with, what you are not comfortable with, and what you will do to protect your well-being.
What is one thing you can do if an environment suddenly feels unsafe?
Move to a safer location, create distance, leave if possible, contact someone you trust, notify staff/security, or call emergency services when appropriate.
Name one type of personal information you should think carefully about before sharing online.
Examples include your address, phone number, passwords, financial information, private photographs, exact location, or other identifying information.
You are overwhelmed, so you take 20 minutes alone in a familiar, safe space to calm down. Safe or risky?
Safe. Taking intentional space can be a healthy coping strategy when the environment is safe and you have a plan to reconnect or seek support if needed.
True or False: You can be physically safe while still feeling emotionally unsafe.
True. A person may be physically safe but feel unsafe because of fear, pressure, judgment, disrespect, threats, or having their boundaries ignored.
True or False: Saying "no" automatically means you are being disrespectful.
False: Saying no can be a healthy and respectful way of communicating a boundary.
What does "trust your gut" mean when talking about safety?
It means paying attention to feelings of discomfort or warning signs and taking them seriously enough to pause, create distance, gather information, or seek help.
True or False: If someone is your friend, you automatically owe them access to your phone or passwords.
False. You can have privacy and boundaries even within friendships and relationships
Someone you know asks you to keep a secret that makes you uncomfortable. Safe or risky?
risky. It depends on what the secret involves, why you feel uncomfortable, whether there is pressure or a threat, and whether you should involve a trusted person.
You notice that you're becoming increasingly angry during a conversation. What is one thing you could do before the situation escalates?
Take a break, create some physical space, slow your breathing, identify what you're feeling, communicate that you need a moment, or ask someone for support.
Someone keeps asking you a personal question after you've already said you don't want to answer. What could you say?
"I'm not comfortable discussing that," "I'd rather not answer," or "I need you to respect my boundary."
You are somewhere unfamiliar and your ride unexpectedly leaves. Name two things you could do to increase your safety.
Stay in a populated or secure location, contact someone you trust, arrange a verified ride, notify staff/security if available, or avoid accepting transportation from someone you don't trust.
Someone online pressures you to send them a private photo. What are two things you could do?
Don't send it, end the conversation, block or report the person, save evidence if appropriate, and tell someone you trust.
You're extremely angry and want to send someone a long text immediately. Safe or risky?
risky. Taking a pause before responding can prevent an impulsive decision and give you time to communicate more effectively.
Someone tells you, "You're overreacting," when you explain that something made you uncomfortable. What could you do to protect your emotional safety?
Acknowledge your own feelings, set a boundary, step away from the conversation, talk to someone you trust, or communicate what you need.
A friend becomes angry every time you say no to something they want. What are two questions you could ask yourself about this situation?
Examples: "Do I feel pressured to say yes?" "Do I feel safe saying no?" "Are my boundaries being respected?" "Am I afraid of how this person will react?"
You notice someone else may be in physical danger. What should you consider before trying to help?
Consider your own safety first, whether trained help is available, whether staff/security or emergency services should be contacted, and whether directly intervening could make the situation more dangerous.
You receive a message that makes you uncomfortable, but you feel pressured to respond immediately. What could you do before responding?
Pause, avoid responding impulsively, save the message if appropriate, talk to someone you trust, block/report the person if necessary, and decide whether a response is needed.
You notice that a friend has been withdrawing from everyone and says, "Nobody would care if I disappeared." What should you do?
Take the statement seriously, stay connected when possible, check on their immediate safety, involve an appropriate trusted person or staff member, and use crisis or emergency resources when there is imminent danger.
You're having a really difficult day. You're angry, overwhelmed, and want to make a major decision immediately. Name three things you could do before making that decision.
Possible answers include pause and regulate your emotions, talk to someone you trust, consider the consequences, take some space, use a coping skill, or wait until you're calmer before deciding.
You disagree with someone and can feel the conversation becoming heated. Give two ways you could communicate without escalating the situation.
Take a pause, lower your voice, use "I" statements, acknowledge the other person's perspective, ask for space, or say, "I want to continue this conversation when we're both calmer."
You're walking somewhere and notice that the situation around you has changed and you no longer feel comfortable. You don't know whether there is actually a danger. What could you do?
Move toward a populated or safer area, stay aware of your surroundings, contact someone you trust, leave the area, and seek help if the situation becomes threatening.
Name three warning signs that an online or social interaction may be becoming unsafe or unhealthy.
Possible answers include threats, manipulation, pressure, repeated unwanted contact, requests for money or private information, attempts to isolate you, controlling behavior, or making you afraid to stop communicating.
You have an important decision to make, but you're extremely emotional and not thinking clearly. Is making the decision immediately always the safest option?
No. When possible, pause and regulate first, consider the consequences, talk with someone trustworthy, and determine whether the decision actually needs to be made right now.