How Teens / Older Students Can Help Each Other

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 Students can play a powerful role in helping one another feel safe. Here are some supportive ways they can encourage each other:

1. Show kindness and inclusion.
Simple gestures—like sitting with someone at lunch, inviting them into group activities, or checking in—help peers feel less isolated.

2. Use supportive words.
Phrases such as “I’m glad you’re here,” “You’re not alone,” or “We’ll get through this together” can ease fears.

3. Listen without judgment.
Giving friends space to talk about their worries without trying to “fix” them shows care and builds trust.

4. Reassure through presence.
Sometimes just being together—walking to class, studying, or hanging out—makes people feel safer.

5. Create a sense of routine.
Encouraging one another to keep up with schoolwork, clubs, or sports can restore normalcy.

6. Model calm behavior.
Staying composed helps others feel calmer too. Students can remind each other to take deep breaths, rest, or do grounding activities.

7. Build positive practices.
Things like group check-ins, gratitude circles, or praying together for the victims and for the survivors. Even lighthearted rituals like sharing a joke each morning can strengthen normalcy and feelings of safety.

8. Encourage reaching out for help.
Peers can remind each other that it’s okay to talk with teachers, counselors, or trusted adults when fears feel overwhelming.