Establishing a Connection: Empathy versus Sympathy

Establishing a connection with the individual is crucial to a meaningful relationship. Murray states that “this requires genuine interest … and an ability to set aside [your] own values and beliefs while allowing adolescents the opportunity to express themselves and tell their story from their point of view” (161). There are other important aspects of establishing relationships with youth:

• Willingness: a willingness to create that connection is important because it can take time to do so
• No judgment: a “non-judgmental approach will gain the respect and cooperation of the adolescent” (161)

Sympathy versus Empathy: this is a concept that has changed the way I interact and engage with not only the at-risk and high-risk youth that I work with, but also the relationships in my everyday life. Murray states that sympathy “is not as empowering as exhibiting empathy and the ability to ‘walk a mile in the adolescents’ shoes’ in order to understand the situation and the meaning of the challenging behavior” (161).

The notion of sympathy versus empathy reminded me of a video clip that I watched a few months ago that expertly yet simply describes the difference and the reasons why empathy is more effective.

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

1. Development Questions
2. Demographics of Youth Suicide: Gender, Age,Geography, Socioeconomic Status
3. Risk Factors for Suicidal Behavior
4. Warning Signs and Common Myths
5. Exposure to Peer Suicide – Grief
6. Suicide Risk Assessment: Change, Hope,Connection
7. Establishing aConnection: Empathy versus SympathyYOU ARE HERE!
8. Suicide and SocialNetworking Sites
9. Frameworks: ACommunity Based Approach to Preventing Youth Suicide
10. Suicide Intervention and Prevention in Alberta
11. Works Cited