Healing happens between us — it always has
StrengthIn.Us is grounded in the growing field of social neuroscience, psychological interventions, and understanding how evolution has shaped human interactions. StrengthIn.Us taps into our natural empathy as a way of healing one another.
We all have the strength to support one another. And we all need help from time to time.
Our method is designed to support common mental health needs
Common
Everyday, in-the-moment support from and for community
Acute
Active treatment for short-term needs provided by a health care professional
Crisis
Immediate professional support
“StrengthIn.Us is built on the recognition we can all better support one another in the face of psychological distress by strengthening foundational helping skills shared across cultures.”
—Brandon Kohrt, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Anthropology,
George Washington University
The StrengthIn.Us Method
Strength in Ourselves
Recognize the strength in you to create a helping moment
1. Empowered to start
We’re often hesitant to engage when others seem upset, worried, or even just having a rough day. Recognize that you have what it takes to be there and do something. Because you are enough.
Video description: Person 1 and Person 2 are sitting next to each other. Person 2’s body language looks distressed/anxious. Statements of doubt hover around Person 1.
2. Be present and notice
Before we can offer help, we have to recognize when help is needed. Take time to notice what’s going on with those around you and how it makes you feel. By identifying situations and your feelings, you create space to meet someone where they are.
Video description: Sound waves emit from Person 1 to cue that she is assessing the surroundings
3. Could, should, ready
“Could I help? Should I help? And am I ready to help?” It’s essential to understand your own readiness before acting. Consider if it’s safe to help (“safe” can be different for everyone), you’re emotionally ready to offer help, and you can provide the time to be fully present.
Video description: “Can I help,” “Should I help?,” “Am I ready to help” appear around Person 1 as she considers.
4. Connect
You’ve made the observations and you’re ready to offer help. You might start by making a gentle, non-judgmental statement about what you are noticing. It may feel like a risk, but it opens a conversation. You may be correct, or someone may not want to talk now. That’s okay. You’ve opened the door. That can change a day. A choice. A life.
Video description: Person 1 is looking at Person 2 as she says: “It seems like there’s a lot on your mind today. Do you want to talk?”
Strength in Others
Move the conversation toward one that’s strengths-based
5. Listen actively
To understand how someone is feeling and what they may need, we first have to really listen. Create space for others to share, and avoid jumping to offering solutions or making assumptions. It’s best if you find yourself listening 85% or more of the time.
Video description: Person 1 nods attentively, actively listening to Person 2.
6. Strengths-based support
Everyone has strengths they’ve used to overcome challenges. The goal in a helping moment is to listen deeply, and then recognize and support the strengths someone has, and help them put their strengths into action. You can help people uncover strengths by asking: “When you’ve felt this way before, what did you do to get through?” “Is there someone you go to for advice or support?” “What do you do to recharge yourself?”
Video description: The two people discuss Person 2’s strengths.
There are 4 common categories of go-to strengths:
Sharing with others
Engaging trusted people to help work through and process problems — could be a parent, sibling, partner, classmate, colleague or friend.
Planning and detailing
Using problem-solving approaches like listing, prioritizing and planning to help clarify and map out challenging situations.
Moving the body and mind
Using physical activities like being in nature, exercise, dance, and yoga, or opening the mind and heart through meditation as a way to support well-being and help process problems.
Affirming what matters
Reconnecting to who you are, your values, and how you define yourself to put things in perspective, identify what matters, and take positive actions.
7. Take one next step
People often need support putting their strengths into action. By helping them identify a clear first step — like who they’ll call and when they’ll do it — they can move forward more confidently. Change may be small or incremental, but one step forward provides momentum and hope. Remember, you are not here to ‘fix’ anyone.
Video description: The two people identify the most appropriate strength for the situation (sharing with others).
Strength In Our Communities
Know how to find and share resources that meet the need
8. Identify resources
When someone is trying to alleviate their distress, they often don’t know where to turn. You can point them toward helpful direct and indirect resources in their community:
Video description: Person 2 chats with a friend on his phone to ask if they can meet.
Direct resources
Programs, organizations, and systems designed to support specific needs — mental health services, support hotlines, economic or social services, school resources, immigration, faith-based organizations, and others.
Indirect resources
Individuals and groups that know how systems work and can be good problem solvers — people in your professional life, family members, faith leaders, community organizers, and others.
Strength In Self-Care
Recognize and care for your own emotional needs
Check in with you
Caring for yourself is critical to your well-being and to your ability to help care for others. Take time to notice what’s going on with your mind, body and heart, and how it makes you feel. Do you share how you’re really feeling? Are you engaging honestly? Self-care, soul-care is not selfish, it’s essential!
Video description: Person 1 is eating breakfast and imagining herself talking to somone.
Recognize when you could use help
It can be difficult to acknowledge, but we all need help from time to time. Just as you would consider your own readiness to help someone else, ask: “Could I get help?” “Should I get help?” And, “Am I ready for help?”
And, consider where you find your go-to strengths. Is it sharing with others? Moving your mind and body? Planning and detailing? Affirming what matters to you?
Video description: Person 1 brushing teeth, looking in mirror. Text overhead pops in: “Could I get help?” “Should I get help?” “Am I ready for help?”