Why Not?
What does STAT stand for?
Stop Talking About That
Where is the best place to talk about self-harm urges?
With staff, in safety planning, or in individual therapy.
True or False: Talking about how much you used to drink can make someone else want to relapse.
True.
Name one safe topic to talk about in the milieu.
Hobbies, music, coping skills, positive achievements, encouragement.
A peer starts talking about how much they miss drinking. What’s a safe way you could redirect the conversation?
Example: “I get that you’re struggling, maybe bring that up in group or with staff. Want to talk about something positive to distract right now?”
Why is it unsafe to talk about self-harm or suicide attempts with peers?
Because it can trigger others or give them harmful ideas (contagion effect).
Where should you process trauma or past abuse?
In individual therapy or trauma-focused groups.
What might happen if you talk about an AWOL plan to your peers?
It could give them ideas to do the same or increase unsafe behavior.
Instead of talking about self-harm urges with peers, what’s a safe alternative?
Asking staff for support or saving it for therapy.
A peer starts gossiping about staff being unfair. How could you respond respectfully?
Example: “Maybe you could bring that up in community group or with staff directly.”
Why should we avoid gossiping about peers or staff?
It breaks trust, hurts relationships, and makes the community unsafe.
What is the appropriate setting to explore family conflict or religion?
Family therapy or with your individual therapist.
How can gossip affect the community?
It breaks trust, creates conflict, and makes people feel unsafe.
What could you say to a peer instead of gossiping about someone else?
Something encouraging, kind, or positive.
A peer tells you about their plan to AWOL. What should you do?
Example: Tell them you care about their safety and immediately let staff know.
Why don’t we talk about body image, food, or weight with peers?
It can trigger eating disorder behaviors and harmful comparisons.
If you want to share about cravings or substance use, where can you go?
Substance use groups or with your clinical team/staff.
What might a peer feel if they hear detailed trauma stories they weren’t ready for?
Overwhelmed, retraumatized, or unsafe.
How can you share about a tough day without trauma dumping?
Say, “I’m having a hard day, I need support,” without going into unsafe details.
Someone starts describing their body in a negative way. What’s a safe way to shift the conversation?
Example: “I hear you’re struggling, maybe that’s something for therapy. Want to do something fun to take your mind off it?”
Why is trauma dumping not safe in the milieu?
Sharing heavy trauma details without support can overwhelm or retraumatize others.
Where can you safely share about your body image struggles?
In body image groups, nutrition counseling, or individual therapy.
Why is it important to think about the “ripple effect” of your words in the milieu?
Because one comment can affect many people in different ways.
What’s a safe way to connect with peers in the milieu?
Share coping skills, play games, or talk about recovery goals.
A peer trauma dumps and shares very graphic details. What’s a supportive way to handle it?
Example: “That sounds really heavy. I think it would help to talk to staff about that—do you want me to go with you to let them know?”