Hi all,

How should one approach the issue of confidentiality with a YF?

Please understand me here: I am NOT referring to confidentiality for the purposes of hiding any sort of activity (between AF and YF) that should not be taking place! Asking a YF to keep quiet about something taking place in the friendship should throw up a whole host of warning flags.

Rather, I am looking at it from the perspective of offering confidentiality to a YF. Though I have not really had any significant YF friendship, if one were to come along, my first thought would be to tell him, look, if you ever want to tell me anything, know that I will keep it completely confidential.

However, if I were to do that, what would happen if he were to tell me something that, maybe, I wouldn't want to keep confidential? For example, say he were to tell me:

- that he is experimenting with drugs;
- that he is involved in some illegal activity;
- that he is being abused;
- that is he considering suicide;
- etc.

How would I handle situations like this? Would I stick to my assurance of confidentiality, or would I tell someone?

Does anyone have any thoughts on this issue?

Blessings,
Rainboy