The 3-Step Approach to Helping Someone You’re Concerned About
It is so important to realize what a conversation can mean to someone. When someone experiences a change in life a conversation can help someone feel less alone. Many people believe that being there is enough. But sometimes you have to talk to someone if you are concerned about them. What are some of the best ways to navigate this approach?
Ask
We can be hesitant to speak to someone that we are worried about. It's important to raise the topic in a way that is comfortable. There is no right or wrong way, just make sure that you are genuine. You need to explain why you are concerned, and you may have noticed certain things that have left you worried about them. For example, their mood, or how they have been acting. And it's important at this stage to note that they may not want to speak about it. But the important thing at this stage is that they know you are looking out for them. Knowing that you care can feel like they have the support system in place. Knowing that you care can give them the confidence to have the conversation when they are ready.
Listen
It's important to encourage them to speak about what is going on, and this can consist of how they feel, what they are doing differently, but also what they are thinking. You need to take the opportunity to understand their perspective because everybody is unique. And when we are listening to someone, it's so tempting to offer solutions straightaway. While you may very well understand that the roots of their problem are an addiction, it's not effective for you to immediately give them pamphlets, and point them towards American Addiction Centers reviews, because this is not the time or the place. The most helpful thing you are able to do at this point is to listen. When you are listening to them, you have to make them feel at ease. If they are experiencing thoughts that they may think sound strange, eccentric, or out of the norm, you've got to make them feel at ease. They may very well offer nothing, but don't take these silences as uncomfortable, these are the opportunities for you both to contemplate and gather your thoughts.
Support
Offering support is about making sure they realize they are not alone. If they want to keep the information private, you have to do this, unless they are at risk of hurting themselves or somebody else. Reassuring them that they are not alone, helping them overcome any issues, but also ensuring you understand the situation gives you a better foundation to offer the right type of help. Alternatively however, it may be advisable to guide them in the direction of a professional service to help them understand their feelings. You can suggest that they go and visit a doctor or utilise something like the Halo Mental Health program as the first port of call, but if they don't want to see a professional, you have to give them time. Just make sure that they can always rely on you for support, and that you're ready to listen should they need your help and support.
It's never easy if you are concerned about someone, but these three simple approaches can give you a thorough grounding in helping someone to reach out.
