Skills Guide
Teaching: Support Systems
Support Systems
Why This Skill Matters
Support systems provide emotional, academic, and social protection that strengthens resilience. Students with strong support systems are better equipped to handle setbacks and persist through challenges. Teaching students how to build and use support systems reduces isolation and increases engagement.
Student Challenges This Skill Helps Address
- Feeling alone or unsupported
- Disengagement
- Difficulty coping with stress
How WhyTry Builds This Skill
WhyTry builds awareness of support systems through Support Systems & Relationship Building, helping students identify people and resources that support success. Facilitators guide reflection on how relationships function as a resilience resource.
Support Systems & Relationship Building
(“Plugging In”)
Facilitators can use Support Systems & Relationship Building to help students identify people and resources that support success. Processing emphasizes that resilience is strengthened through healthy connection and shared support, not independence alone.