Universal Education on Healthy Relationships - Suggested Script

Script delivered with two copies of the Hanging Out or Hooking Up pocket safety card

Script delivered confidentially

“Many of the young people I care for have been in situations where they don’t feel safe in their relationships. If this is ever part of your experience, I want to make sure you have support.”

“Before I share anything else, I want to say that your story is your own, and I don’t want you to feel like you have to share anything with me to get support. Also, if a young person tells me that someone has physically or sexually hurt them or they are thinking about hurting themselves or others, then I need to get others involved to help that young person be safer.”

“I’m giving two of these cards to all my patients – in case you are ever struggling in a relationship or feel like you are being taken advantage of. This information might be helpful for you at some point.”

“It’s also important for young people to know how to help each other. There might be someone you could share this information with.”

“This card has some super helpful crisis lines for young people. You could put them into your phone, so you’ve got them on hand in case you ever need them for yourself or to share with a friend.”

Clinicians may consider offering point-of-care harm reduction resources as part of the patient encounter

“I’m also making sure that my patients know about reproductive and sexual health resources that are available here, in case they ever need these resources for themselves, and so they can let friends know about them. These resources include condoms, pregnancy testing, and emergency contraception (which is sometimes called Plan B), and STD testing and treatment. Teens can also talk to a social worker about relationship problems or if they feel they’re in a relationship where they’re being taken advantage of.”

"Are you interested in hearing more about any of these today?"

"Do you have any questions about these things for me?"

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.