The Rapid-Response Card Deck has been updated with 10 concise, urgent scenarios to prompt quick and compassionate peer responses.

Peer Support Role Play Script

Use this script to practice active listening, empathy, and safety checks in pairs. Each pair will take turns playing:

Role 1: Peer in Crisis
– Shares feelings and situation honestly.

Role 2: Supportive Peer
– Uses active listening, open questions, validation, and safety checks.

Instructions

1. Read the Scenario Prompt (provided by facilitator).
2. Role 1 describes how they’re feeling based on the prompt.
3. Role 2 responds step by step:
   1. Open & Warm Greeting
      – “Hey, thanks for trusting me. I’m here to listen.”
   2. Active Listening & Open Questions
      – “Can you tell me more about what’s been going on?”
      – “What was that like for you?”
   3. Validate Feelings
      – “It sounds like you’ve been under a lot of pressure. That must be really hard.”
   4. Safety Check
      – “Are you thinking about hurting yourself, or do you feel unsafe?”
      – If “yes”: “I’m really glad you told me. Let’s get help right now.”
   5. Next Steps & Connection to Support
      – “Would you like me to help you talk to a counselor or another trusted adult?”
      – “How can I support you in the next few minutes?”
4. Switch Roles after 5 minutes and repeat with a new scenario.

Example Dialogue

Role 1 (Peer in Crisis):
“I’ve been feeling like I can’t keep up with school and my parents. I sometimes think it’d be easier if I weren’t here.”

Role 2 (Supportive Peer):

1. “I’m really sorry you’re feeling that way. Thanks for telling me.”
2. “Can you help me understand what part of school feels most overwhelming?”
3. “That sounds like a lot to handle. It makes sense you’d feel stressed.”
4. “Are you thinking about hurting yourself, or do you feel unsafe right now?”
5. “I care about you. Let’s talk to our counselor together—would that feel okay?”

Key Phrases to Remember

• “I hear you, and I’m here for you.”
• “That sounds really tough.”
• “What do you need right now?”
• “You’re not alone in this.”
• “Let’s find someone who can help us.”

Use prompts from the Empathy Circle Guide during your debrief to reflect on what felt effective and where you can improve.

Empathy Circle Guide

Use this quick cool-down activity to build mutual support, model active listening, and leave students feeling connected and heard.

Purpose

• Transition from high-intensity role-plays into a calm, reflective space
• Reinforce empathy by giving each student a chance to speak and be heard
• Generate supportive language students can carry into real peer-support moments

Time Management (3 minutes total)

1. Setup & Guidelines (30 seconds)
   • Arrange chairs in a circle.
   • Explain rules: one person speaks at a time, no interruptions, keep shares brief (≤15 seconds), confidentiality and respect.
2. Round 1: Feeling Word (1 minute)
   • Prompt: “Share one word that describes how you feel right now.”
   • Go around quickly; facilitator sets pace.
3. Round 2: Supportive Phrase (1½ minutes)
   • Prompt: “Share one supportive phrase you’d offer a peer in crisis.”
   • Go around the circle again; encourage concise, heartfelt phrases.
4. Closure (15 seconds)
   • Thank everyone for sharing. Remind them these phrases can guide real peer conversations.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Facilitator: Keeps time, models tone, shares first if needed, and ensures guidelines are followed.
• Participants: Listen actively, share honestly, and respect others’ turns.

Prompts to Use

• “One word for how I feel right now is…”
• “A phrase I want peers to hear when they’re struggling is…”

Example Supportive Phrases

• “I’m here with you—you’re not alone.”
• “It’s okay to feel this way; I care about you.”
• “You’ve got value and people who want to help.”
• “I believe in you and will support you.”

Tip: Keep a timer or soft chime to gently signal when it’s time to move to the next person.

Empathy Circle Cool-Down

Use this quick exit activity to reinforce empathy and leave students feeling heard.

1. Refer to the Empathy Circle Guide.
2. Arrange chairs in a circle and remind everyone to speak one at a time.
3. Round 1 (1 min): Each student shares one word describing how they feel right now.
4. Round 2 (1½ min): Each student shares one supportive phrase they’d offer a peer in crisis.
5. Closure (30 sec): Thank everyone for their honesty and remind them these phrases can guide real peer-support conversations.

Tip: Keep shares brief (≤15 seconds) and use a gentle chime or timer to stay on track.