Read below to find suggestions for having COVID-19 conversations around topics such as:

  • What If You Think Someone Is Not Being Safe, Is Infected
  • What If You Are Not Comfortable With Someone Coming Into Your Home
  • How do you discuss boundaries/social distancing during COVID-19

It is important to be prepared with what to do if someone else is saying things, doing things or acting in a way that makes us feel uncomfortable as it relates to the COVID-19. Understanding how and when to set boundaries when feeling unsafe in a public place is one way we can know what to do if we are uncomfortable or feel unsafe. Importantly, understanding how to navigate uncertain social situations, practicing what, when and where to express ourselves in difficult situations and to practice these skills in advance can all be very helpful in maintaining our mental health needs.

This skill will focus on what we should “say” or “do” if we find ourselves in a situation in a public place or in a conversation with another person about COVID-19 that makes us feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Setting Boundaries in Public Places and Spaces

It can be helpful to use the 4-W’s Skills: Setting Boundaries in Public Places and Spaces sheet to help identify boundaries within these situations as well as to help us decide what steps we can take. 4-W’s Skills: Setting Boundaries in Public Places and Spaces

WHO

  • Someone I have never met before
  • Someone I am familiar with such as a friend, a family member, a co-worker
 What are they doing?

  • A person is not following the rules posted or what is requested in a public place (e.g., grocery store, park).
  • A person is saying something about COVID-19 that is not true. They don’t know the research on COVID-19 or have been misinformed.
  • A person is asking to come to my apartment or want me to spend time with them.

I can talk to person right now

  • It’s someone I know and they are asking me to do something or acting in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable.
  • It’s a person I don’t know but I am in a public space that I can not leave or walk away from easily.
 I don’t need to say anything at this time

  • The person is having a conversation in front of me, I can choose to not listen or remove myself from the situation.
  • Someone has made a post on the internet I disagree with. I don’t have to post a response right away or maybe not at all.
  • The person is about to leave or go somewhere else.

Possibly a safe place and I can share my thoughts now

  • I am in a public space with other people around or with a friend/associate who could help me if I needed help.
  • I see a person of authority nearby who can help me if I need help (e.g., security officer, store manager).
  • If I am on the phone with the person.
 Possibly an unsafe place so I may not want to share my thoughts now

  • I am alone and have no one to ask for help.
  • I am alone and the person who is making me feel unsafe is with a lot of other people.
  • I do not know this person and I am not in a familiar place.

How to start the conversation

  • Excuse me, could you please _____.
  • Do you have a minute to talk?
  • I want to let you know I am feeling____.
 What do I share

  • I feel unsafe because you aren’t wearing your mask right now; could you please back away from me.
  • I feel (scared, unsafe, like I may get sick from you) when you are acting in this way ________; Could you please _____________.

Review

COVID-19 Interactions Social Distancing
COVID-19 Interactions Masks

Practice

  • Use your 4-W’s Skills: Setting Boundaries in Public Places and Spaces to help you know what to do. Use the PRACTICING the 4-W’s Boundaries Skill: 5 Scenarios
  • Read each situation and follow the questions within each “W” in the 4-W’s Boundaries Skill sheet. Write your answer below each W’s question on the Boundaries skill sheet.
  • After deciding what and how you are going to handle each situation below, it may be helpful to role play with a “trusted person” to become more comfortable if you experience anything similar to these situations.

4 W’s: Practicing Boundaries
To review, download or print – click HERE.

Reflection

Questions can help you evaluate your practice:
​
Did I use the 4-W’s to help me decide how to handle a stressful situation?

  • If so, did this help me to resolve the situation that made me feel unsafe?
  • If not, which W did not “fit” or “help” me with this situation.
  • If the situation did not resolve successfully, it would be a good idea to talk with a trusted friend or counselor to problem-solve other ways to handle the difficult situation.

Remember: It is important to think about situations that may come up in advance and practice rehearsing different ways to handle the situation.