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Hacks for Bathroom and Other Blockades

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What is a bathroom blockade? That’s when somebody refuses to leave the restroom. Bathroom blockades happen for many different reasons, mostly because people become agitated and confused and/or they are in desperate need of privacy.

Harm reduction OGs caution that though you can prepare for the possibility of bathroom blockades, you cannot prevent them entirely. They are inevitable. The only way you can deal with them is to patiently wait them out while reminding people consistently of the inconvenience they are causing others. Experienced harm reductionists caution against personalizing these events or getting too emotionally invested.

Featured Hacks

These featured hacks highlight creative, practical solutions from harm reduction leaders on the ground. From DIY tools to clever workarounds, each one reflects the ingenuity, care, and real-world experience that keeps this movement alive. 

Policy Creation Hacks

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Creating effective policies in harm reduction work means grounding them in your mission, being thoughtful about their impact, and ensuring they’re both practical and inclusive. The tips below offer a starting point for organisations looking to build policies that reflect their values, meet external requirements, and genuinely support the people they serve and work with.
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Hacks for Empathetic Active Listening

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Once you have grounded yourself during an escalated situation, next engage in active listening with the person who is agitated. This can seem counterintuitive or difficult when you are dealing with somebody who is, for example, screaming at you, and it may feel like you’re rewarding them for being completely irrational. But it is key to getting them more centered and grounded so they’re less agitated and less likely to become a danger to themselves or others.
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