Hey, You Okay?

Start the conversation by asking “Hey, you okay?”

• Find a private and comfortable place to talk.
• Make sure you have enough time to genuinely listen to the response.
• Point out specific reasons why you are concerned.

Be present during the conversation and listen without judgement.

• Don’t rush the conversation.
• Recognize that times are tough for the speaker and let them know you’re concerned.
• Use open ended questions to keep the conversation moving.
• Show you are listening by paraphrasing what they said and asking if you understood correctly.

Lend a hand by encouraging action.

• Ask follow-up questions:
  • Example: “I want to support you. How can I help? How can you take care of yourself right now?"
• Encourage them to talk with a professional. On campus, these resources include:
  • Counseling & Psychological Services
  • Medical Clinic
• Don’t feel like you need to fix the problem or have all the answers. Your job is to encourage and support them while they find solutions.

• Show you truly care by checking back in a few days after your conversation. This can be a:
  • Call
  • Text
  • Visit
• Continue to check in regularly. Sometimes all someone needs is a friendly ear as they process their situation.

It's okay to not be okay all the time.

• Every person will experience challenges and feel down at some point in their life.
  • Its okay to feel these things and it's important to be honest about them.
  • When asked "Hey You Okay?", Be real. 
  • You don’t have to wait for someone to ask you. You can reach out and get the help you need.
• Being real is a step toward getting better.

Resources that you can help point someone to for assistance if they are struggling include:

Counseling & Psychological Services
Stewart Hall 103
320-308-3171

Medical Clinic
Eastman Hall
320-308-3191
myhealthservices.stcloudstate.edu

National Suicide Crisis Lifeline
988
Call or Text
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

The Hey, You Okay? Presentation is a 15-minute presentation by a trained presenter. The presentation covers the Hey, You Okay? steps, resources available in the community and a practice conversation.

Schedule a presenter for your organization by contacting Healthy Huskies at 320-308-4179 or healthyhuskies@stcloudstate.edu.

Become a Hey, You Okay? Presenter and help spread the message to groups and organizations across campus.

Request information about the next Train the Trainer session  by contacting Healthy Huskies at 320-308-4179 or healthyhuskies@stcloudstate.edu.