Refusal Skills

Refusal Skills 
The ways a person can say "no" to something they don’t want to do—especially when it’s unsafe, unhealthy, or goes against their values. 

Peer Pressure 
When someone your age tries to influence you to do something—even if you don’t want to. This can be direct (asking you to do it) or indirect (making you feel left out if you don’t). 

Assertive Communication 
Standing up for yourself in a firm, respectful, and confident way without being rude or aggressive. 

Body Language 
The way you move, stand, or use your face to show how you feel. Confident body language helps you back up your words when saying “no.” 

Boundaries 
Personal limits that protect your well-being. Knowing and expressing your boundaries helps others understand what you are or aren't okay with. 

Decision-Making 
The process of thinking through choices and picking the best option for your safety and values. 

Exit Strategy 
A plan for how to leave an uncomfortable or dangerous situation safely, like texting a code word to a parent or stepping away to call for help. 

• Refusal Skills Worksheet

This worksheet consists of scenarios where you may encounter situations requiring refusal skills. Take your time to read each scenario carefully, consider possible responses, and choose the most appropriate refusal strategy.

• Quiz & Worksheet

  Choose an answer and hit 'next'. You will receive your score and answers at the end.

ACTIVITIES

• 6 Refusal Skills for Teens: How to Say NO Without Saying No

  Start with these six ways to say NO

   

LINKS

• What Are Refusal Skills?

  Refusal skills help us say “No”

ORGANIZATIONS

• Top Refusal Skills for Teens: How to Say No Under Pressure

  Teens can use refusal skills to get out of uncomfortable or high-pressure situations. Learn the top ten refusal skills for teens, when to use them, and how to practice them.

READING & RESEARCH

• The Art of Refusal

  Far from being an end, an emphatic “no” is often a vital first step toward change.

• REFUSAL SKILLS Classroom Activities

  This resource was developed to be used by educators for grades 4 to 8 to teach refusal skills to use when students face peer pressure.

• Psychosocial Interventions for School Refusal Behavior in Children and Adolescents

  This article reviews empirical evidence for the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for school refusal behavior.

• Refusal Skills: poehealth.org

  So, what do you do when someone pressures you to try alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs?

Refusal Skills 
The ways a person can say "no" to something they don’t want to do—especially when it’s unsafe, unhealthy, or goes against their values. 

Peer Pressure 
When someone your age tries to influence you to do something—even if you don’t want to. This can be direct (asking you to do it) or indirect (making you feel left out if you don’t). 

Assertive Communication 
Standing up for yourself in a firm, respectful, and confident way without being rude or aggressive. 

Body Language 
The way you move, stand, or use your face to show how you feel. Confident body language helps you back up your words when saying “no.” 

Boundaries 
Personal limits that protect your well-being. Knowing and expressing your boundaries helps others understand what you are or aren't okay with. 

Decision-Making 
The process of thinking through choices and picking the best option for your safety and values. 

Exit Strategy 
A plan for how to leave an uncomfortable or dangerous situation safely, like texting a code word to a parent or stepping away to call for help. 

• Refusal Skills Worksheet

• This worksheet consists of scenarios where you may encounter situations requiring refusal skills. Take your time to read each scenario carefully, consider possible responses, and choose the most appropriate refusal strategy.

• Quiz & Worksheet

  Choose an answer and hit 'next'. You will receive your score and answers at the end.

ACTIVITIES

• 6 Refusal Skills for Teens: How to Say NO Without Saying No

  Start with these six ways to say NO

LINKS

• What Are Refusal Skills?

  Refusal skills help us say “No”

ORGANIZATIONS

• Top Refusal Skills for Teens: How to Say No Under Pressure

  Teens can use refusal skills to get out of uncomfortable or high-pressure situations. Learn the top ten refusal skills for teens, when to use them, and how to practice them.

READING & RESEARCH

• Refusal Skills: poehealth.org

  So, what do you do when someone pressures you to try alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs?