Stress and Load Check-In

How to use it

1. Mark the demands using the most energy right now, including school, work, care, social, or personal demands.
2. Notice current energy, sleep, body signals, motivation, and available support without grading yourself.
3. Choose one demand to reduce, one support to request, or one small recovery need to protect.
4. Tell a trusted adult or professional if warning signs, safety concerns, or basic needs need more support.

Reflection prompts

• Which demands come from circumstances rather than personal choices?
• What is one barrier that others could help change?
• What signs would mean it is time to seek more support?

Facilitator guidance

Use as a conversation aid, not a diagnostic, burnout, depression, or risk assessment. Follow appropriate safeguarding and clinical evaluation processes when warning signs, functional decline, or safety concerns emerge.

Adaptations & accessibility

• Use icons, colors, or an energy budget instead of written ratings.
• Complete verbally with a trusted adult or communication support.
• Separate controllable demands from systemic or environmental barriers.

Review considerations

Enhanced licensed-clinician and safeguarding review required; this check-in does not replace assessment or the practice's local safety procedures.