Educational Content

Learn to Listen, My Mission Matters, and 5-Steps to Suicide Prevention

Learn the art of listening in this video series with former NFL player and current NFL Transition Coach, Freddie Scott.

Introduction: Learn to Listen

Have you ever had trouble understanding somebody when they speak, rather than just hearing the? Whether you’ve had issues with communication or just want to improve your ability to listen, this course is a valuable tool to help you and improve your communication with those around you.

1. Reflective Listening

There is a difference between what you hear, versus what you understand. If you want to be more effective when communicating, learning to use reflective “I” statements can help you connect with people on a deeper level.

In this video, Freddie will give you simple tools to help people feel understood while talking to you.

2. Feelings, Values, and Facts

What should you listen for when talking to someone? In this video, Freddie will reveal what key things to listen for when somebody is speaking. This will allow people to feel understood and supported by you.

3. Communication Mistakes

Freddie reveals one of the biggest mistakes people make while communicating. Often, many people make this mistake when someone opens up to them. The most important thing you can do is to be present and listen without judgment.

4. A 2-Minute Warning

Freddie shares a simple way to check in with people you care about. This check-in gives people the time and space to open up to you if they need to. This is a simple tool that you can use daily. Freddie also discusses the signs you should listen for that will let you know if you need to lean in.

Identify your mission and establish your vision in this Pivotal Moments Media video course with former NFL player and current NFL Transition Coach, Freddie Scott.

Introduction: My Mission Matters

Pivotal Moments Media Ambassador and NFL Transition Coach, Freddie Scott, welcomes you to join him on the My Mission Matters Journey! Realign your values and mission, and re-prioritize what’s important to you.

1. Your Responsibility

Take control of the vision you have for your life. Freddie explains the importance of setting your visions through stories, and teaches how visualizing can engage your purpose.

2. A Story: Finding Your True North

How do you navigate your journey when life takes an unexpected turn? Your journey may not always be linear, but finding your “True North & Mission” is still possible. Listen in as Veteran, Coach and Mentor, Mark Greene, recalls finding his purpose after a series of failures.

3. Owning Your Vision

Repeat after Freddie: “I am worthy of the dream that’s in me”. This lesson dives into the importance of owning your visions, what you want from life, and a plan for working towards goals.

4. A Dream

Do you have a dream that allows you to keep going? Even if it meant having to power through adversity? What does it look like? Freddie talks about the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” Speech, and how his powerful words set the example for envisioning your ideal future.

5. Change Your Direction

Freddie inspires us to “look through the windshield more than the rearview mirror”. Be present of where you are currently, and ask yourself where you want to go in life.

6. Under Pressure

How do you know if your vision is compelling enough? Pursuing your dream can pose some challenges and stress. Freddie teaches us how to not crack under the pressure we may experience when working on our goals.

7. Creating a Mission Statement

Make your personal mission statement with the provided document below! Follow Freddie’s 3 steps to complete the sheet.

Creating a Mission Statement Document

8. Commitment

Congratulations on filling out your mission statement! Take a minute to reflect on the difference between being committed to your mission and being involved in your mission. Good luck on your journey!

This course gives insight into a 5-step method for Suicide Prevention and will provide you with knowledge on how to handle a situation where someone you know may be having suicidal thoughts. This course also includes vital lessons on communication and listening, a vital piece of the 5-Steps.

Introduction: Overview of the 5 Steps

These 5 Steps can help you save lives! In this video, Freddie will give an overview of the 5-steps, dispel some common myths, and show you can help someone at risk. You have a chance to provide a lifeline to someone who could be at risk.

The 5 Steps of Asking, Being There, Keeping Them Safe, Helping Them Connect, and Following Up. This course will give you the tools to be confident and effective to help save someone’s life.

A Root Cause: Connectedness

Kristi Kings, Executive Director of Rachel’s Challenge, and Pivotal Moments Media’s Freddie Scott identify and discuss the root cause of suicide, a lack of connectedness.

A Pivotal Moments Mission Partner, Rachel’s Challenge addresses the root causes of school violence, bullying, prejudice, and self-harm through social-emotional learning programs that build connection, hope, and resilience. We improve school culture so that students are able to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.

Resources

Available to the public for a variety of purposes.

 

  • Reporting on Suicide – Developed by leading experts in suicide prevention, in collaboration with media organizations and many others, this website provides best practices and recommendations for reporting on suicide, as well as specific guidance to the news media on accurate and responsible coverage of suicide. Learn more here: https://reportingonsuicide.org/

 

 

Step 1. Ask

Asking the question, “Are you thinking about suicide?” can be a lifeline to someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. Like a lifeguard at the beach, that question could be a lifeline to someone drowning in their thoughts. You are letting them know they are seen and cared for, when they may think no one does. Be direct, non-biased, and non-judgmental to allow them to feel comfortable answering the question. They need to know they can be honest with their answer and still know you won’t judge them.

Here are some Warning Signs to look for if you are concerned about someone around you: https://www.bethe1to.com/warning-signs/

Step 2. Be There

Being there with someone who is struggling with suicide can be done in a variety of ways. It could mean being there physically with them, a phone call, or any other way to support someone who may be at risk. Look at their body language to see if they are tense or closed off. Listen to their tone for how they may be feeling. Listen to their story and what they feel is causing them to feel overwhelmed, in pain, or just tired.

Step 3. Keep Them Safe

The next thing to do is to keep the person safe. You can do this in two simple steps. First, ask them if they have a plan. This will let you know how severe the situation is. If they don’t have a plan but are just thinking about suicide, you can listen, and proceed to step four. If they have a plan, then you should then make keeping them safe a priority. You can do this by Making a Safety Plan: https://www.bethe1to.com/safety-plan/.

Step 4. Help Them Connect

Helping someone connect to ongoing supports like the 988 Lifeline can help them create a safety net of support around them. Just like in a medical emergency, when someone needs CPR, the person providing CPR is different than the trained medical doctors that can diagnose, treat, and support the person.

Remember, your job is not to be a doctor! Your conversation is like providing CPR until they are connected to the trained experts that can support them. Here are some helpful tools when reporting on suicide: https://www.bethe1to.com/reporting-on-suicide/

Step 5. Follow Up

After you have helped someone through the process of identifying their thoughts and getting the support they need, it’s important to do the last step…follow up. Feel free to call, leave a message, text, or even send a postcard. Let them know you are thinking of them, and that they are not alone.

Research has shown that follow-up will increase their feelings of connectedness and can decrease the risk of suicide. Here is a link to show why follow-up matters: https://followupmatters.988lifeline.org/follow-up-starts-here/

A Meaningful Story: The Importance of Listening

Retired U.S. Navy Seal Mark Greene speaks on his experiences following his transition out of the military. Mark tells stories of how somebody saved his life and how his daughter helped him in a time of need. You will hear how a simple question helped him understand that he needed help, changing his life forever.