When a youth has confided in you...

Sometimes after a youth has confided something to you that they've not told anyone, they become fearful or may pull back from you. We cannot read their minds. Possible explanations are:

• they are afraid that you'll tell someone
  
• they are afraid that you'll think badly of them or look at them differently than before
  
• they are ashamed of “being weak” and sharing what they didn't want to share
  
• they feel so much better they don't need you anymore
  
• there is nothing wrong, they've just gotten busy with other things.
  
• Regardless of the cause, the solution is to have one normal, public interaction with them. This cannot be forced, nor can it be unwanted or unexpected by the youth. It needs to be in a normal situation or setting. They may be nervous, but if you can react to them without showing any sign that there is anything wrong or different, they will probably relax and let things get back to normal.