Strong relationships are one of the greatest sources of strength in life. Research shows that social connection doesn’t just help us feel better emotionally — it also supports our physical health and daily habits. Clients who can stay connected are able to build resilience by better managing stress and anxiety and being more likely to make healthy choices. The Stay Connected handout helps clients explore what it means to form healthy relationships and why those connections matter. It offers 5 meaningful strategies they can use, such as prioritizing quality over quantity and finding their “community.” Using the handout gives kids and teens a chance to reflect on their current relationships and take steps toward building stronger social bonds. It’s an easy resource to bring into therapy, school, or home life to help young people open up about their social world as a resilience building skill. To further support a child or teen, adults can model healthy connections and check in regularly about their social experiences. They can also encourage them to practice one tip at a time, whether it’s sending a kind message to a friend or showing appreciation to someone who’s been there for them. *This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed. Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of trauma worksheets. References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About social connectedness. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html Acoba, E. F. (2024). Social support and mental health: The mediating role of perceived stress. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1330720. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1330720 American Psychiatric Association. (2020, September). Social connections key to maintaining mental well-being. https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/social-connections-key-to-maintaining-mental-well
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