In this episode, Jeremy and Sid dive into a big, practical question for youth workers: What do I do when a student shares something heavy about their family?

Whether you're at camp, in a small group, or hanging out one-on-one, chances are high that a student will eventually open up about something difficult at home. Sid unpacks what your role is (and what it isn’t) when that happens. They talk about mandatory reporting, emotional boundaries, practical tools, and how to love students without taking on more than you’re called to carry.

This conversation is packed with wisdom, stories, and clarity for youth workers who want to care well without burning out or stepping outside their lane.

Looking for a practical next step? Try out one of these things…

• Never promise confidentiality; rather, explain that you will only tell people who can help
• Create a simple incident reporting system (here is a sample of some of the questions you might include)
• Know who to call: have a go-to list of professionals for legal or safety issues
• Be clear about your emotional limits—don’t carry what you’re not meant to
• Spend time with both high-needs and emotionally healthy students
• Consider getting additional training if you’re consistently walking into deep situations
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Have a question or want to dig deeper? You can email jeremy@youthworker.community.

You can also check out the podcast that Sid mentioned where he was a guest with his son Payton here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5g3Mz9Y62HvR8GzBc8WEjb?si=11c90542bf6a4637