Step Six: Finding social support for your new role

The next step is to think about people who can support you in your new role. Some people on your list may include:

• People with whom you can spend time and have fun, such as friends or family members
• People who share your interests and hobbies, such as teammates or other people in a club or activity
• People who care about you-anyone you're close to
• People to whom you can turn when you need help, such as a parent, trusted teacher or mentor, or a close friend
• People with experience in the situation

It may seem sometimes like there is nobody you can turn to in your new role, but things may be different if you examine them closely:

• First, think about who provided this sort of support to you in your old role (for example, your friends, your parents, your co-workers), and then try to identify somebody similar in your new role.
• Brainstorm anybody with whom you could spend some time and just have fun.
• Once you've figured out who these people are, don't be afraid to seek them out. Everybody needs somebody to turn to, because changes happen to everyone.
• If you still don’t feel like you have anyone who can support you, try talking with another trusted adult (like a doctor, counselor, or religious leader) and they might be able to help!