This is a dance. You must hold to your parental duty to do everything in your power to save your child’s life. You must hold to your professional duty as a mandated reporter. But equally, you must, as a fellow human being, fully respect this child’s sovereignty. Both stances can be true at the same time. Holding both views simultaneously may be the thing that saves this child’s life.

In my conversations with teenagers, the one thing they consistently report that makes them want to be at school, allows them to connect with and respect a teacher, and promotes a safe school environment, is feeling validated.

A national state of emergency in children’s mental health has been declared in the US. Learn how your program might be failing to support teens, and what to do about it.

While the concept of validation is quite simple—the act of making someone feel they are of value—it is a surprisingly complex process, which could be the reason why so many of us have a hard time getting it right.