When teaching sensitive content or delicate topics in the classroom, students may share personal or confidential information. There are three things that can help this situation:
1. Set Classroom Boundaries
Our Student Introduction lessons provide detailed guidance on creating boundaries for respectful sharing, and our Help Article: Classroom Expectations provides further information on creating safe and respectful classrooms.
2. Use Protective Interrupting
When a student begins to overshare, gently redirect the conversation to protect the student and the rest of the class.
Here are a few more detailed points to assist with this process:
Stop and interrupt the student in a casual tone. Use warm language and facial expressions to gently draw attention away from the student in a casual and calm manner.
Redirect the class back to what they were working on: Ask the class a question about their work to shift the focus in the room.
Re-frame and normalize the comment: This will reduce shame for the student who overshared, and also help the rest of the class connect through empathy and understanding. For example, if a student states that they hate themselves, you can say, “We all have thoughts like that sometimes”.
Follow up with the student privately to ensure they have support: Off-hand comments can often be a sign of struggle. Check in with the student and let them know you are here for them if they would like to share more about what is going on for them. Follow the referral steps below if they disclose any harm, abuse, or trauma.
Pull any distracted students to talk one-on-one: If needed, you can talk with any students privately who need additional redirection, without disclosing any of the student’s confidential or personal information, and refer any students in need of further support.
3. Refer Any Student In Need Of Further Support
Ensure that you are aware of your school’s referral pathways so that students can be supported by a mental health practitioner.
Students may disclose abuse, trauma, or unsafe situations in private or in the classroom (before we can intervene with Protective Interrupting).
Please note - This is a generalized protocol. If your school or district has different or additional steps, please refer to those and follow those first!
Public Disclosures
Here are the steps to take if the disclosure happens in public (e.g., in front of other students):
Use Protective Interrupting (see above)
Pull the student aside. Immediately or after class (depending on the level of severity), speak with the student and follow the steps below for a private conversation.
Reassure students: Reassure the rest of the class that you are taking steps to keep the students and everyone safe and that it is okay if they are upset by what they heard.
Pull any impacted students to talk one-on-one: If needed, you can speak to any students privately who need additional reassurance, without disclosing any of the student’s confidential information.
Implement a restorative chat: If the whole class heard the disclosure, we recommend that you lead the class through a restorative chat. See our help article Using a Restorative Chat After a Traumatic Event at School for further information.
Private Disclosures
Here are the steps to take if the disclosure happens in private (or you are pulling a student aside for a private conversation after a public disclosure):
Bring the student to a quiet area, one-on-one. If the student is sharing something confidential, especially if you are not sure of the extent of what they will be sharing, give the student privacy. If the student begins sharing with other students around, ask them to pause and speak privately with you.
Stay calm: Listen carefully and use warm, concerned facial expressions and body language to encourage the student to feel safe.
Believe the child and use empathy: Reassure them that they are doing the right thing by telling you and that you believe them.
Just listen: Let the student talk openly for as long as they need, and be an active listener. Let the student drive the conversation.
Tell them it’s not their fault: Help them feel safe and supported at school by reminding them that what they have experienced is NOT their fault. Ensure that they know you are a safe person and that they are always safe at school.
Explain the next steps: Let the student know that your job is to keep them safe, and therefore, you need to bring other people into the conversation to make that happen. This might upset them, and if so, keep reassuring them that you will do this together. Allow them to make choices in the process (e.g., do you want to tell them with me, or do you want me to do it for you?)
Report it right away to a professional: Follow your school’s legal reporting protocols and procedures for student safety. Also, inform your administrator and counselor as soon as possible.
Keep it private: Only share information with the people who need to know for the student's safety (e.g., the administration or counselor).
For more information on responding to challenges in the classroom, please see our help article: Responding to Challenges in the Classroom.
If you or your student needs urgent help, please see our help article: Emergency Assistance.