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Ensure I understand the options that are available to me

  • Ask me what options I think there are
  • Talk with me about what options you think I have.  This may include deciding to do nothing
  • Explore what each option entails
  • Explore what I have already tried, what has and hasn’t worked, and whether I want to revisit these again
  • Remember to be open to discussing all options, even if you may not be able to support me with these – I need to explore them all to understand what will and won’t work for me and why

To help young people understand and think through the different options, we often sit and draw out a mind map on the whiteboard or on paper. It just helps them (and me) to hold everything in mind and weigh things up. There can be so much for them to take in. We can then add on pros and cons, to see which option might feel best.

Psychiatrist

I always make sure we list all of the options at first, even the ones I may not be able to support the young person with. It's important that we can think together about why I can't support that option so it doesn't just seem like I'm saying no. We talk about why they think that's an option, what they hoped it would give them and then use this to think of something else that we could do together.

Mental health nurse

It's important to be explicit with young people that choosing not to do something is also an option and to think through what the implications of doing nothing would be. This shows they have real choice and influence and gives them space to really think about what they do or don't want to do.

Psychologist

A lot of young people aren’t used to being involved in decision-making, so it is important that you support us with this. If we haven’t had any practice, being given choice can be scary and overwhelming. Make sure you talk about the pros/cons and what each option involves. It is helpful for us to hear everyone’s views- ours, yours, and our parents.

Young person

Making a decision can feel very final. The finality can make the situations harder for us. Make sure we know that we can revisit our choices and change our minds.

Young person

I might see something as an option that the professional doesn’t think is an option. If we disagree, it would be helpful to know why the doctor doesn’t think something is an option.

Young person

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