A framework anyone can learn
The L.I.G.H.T. Method
Five steps. Five letters. A simple, human-first way to notice someone earlier, listen without judgment, and help them reconnect with support, before crisis.
L, Look for changesI, Initiate contactG, Give space to talkH, Help connectT, Take risk seriously
- L
Look for changes
Notice the early signals, long before crisis.
- Isolation or withdrawal from friends and family
- Hopeless comments, dark reposts, self-destructive humor
- Sleep disruption or sudden activity changes
- Doomscrolling and late-night spirals
- Sudden behavioral or emotional shifts
- I
Initiate contact
Reach out simply and directly. You don't need perfect words.
- “Hey, I’ve noticed you seem off lately.”
- “Just checking in, how are you really?”
- “You don’t have to go through things alone.”
- “No pressure, I just wanted you to know I’m here.”
- G
Give space to talk
Listen. Let silence breathe. Don't rush to fix.
- Do not judge
- Do not minimize
- Do not try to instantly fix everything
- Do reflect what you hear back gently
- Do thank them for trusting you
- H
Help connect
Guide them toward people and resources who can support them.
- Friends, family, or a trusted adult
- A school counselor, mentor, or coach
- A therapist or local mental health service
- A crisis hotline appropriate to their country
- A Lighthouse Circle or Campus Lighthouse if one exists nearby
- T
Take risk seriously
If someone appears to be in immediate danger, act.
- Do not ignore it
- Do not leave them alone
- Contact emergency services or a crisis line in your country
- Reach a trusted adult, professional, or family member
- Stay with them, physically or on the line, until help arrives
Do and Don't
A quick compass.
Do
- Reach out, even if it feels awkward
- Use simple words, “How are you really?”
- Listen far more than you speak
- Take changes in behavior seriously
- Encourage professional support when needed
Don't
- Diagnose, label, or moralize
- Minimize (“others have it worse”)
- Force solutions or ultimatums
- Share private details without consent
- Try to replace a professional
The L.I.G.H.T. Method is a first-response framework. It is not a replacement for professional care. If someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services or a crisis line in your country.
Carry the light with you.
Become a Lightkeeper, or start a Lighthouse in your community. Once you can see the signals, you can never unsee them, and that's the point.