Introduction
This is a question that I get asked all the time, so I decided to put together a helpful guide for you. This article will go over what you should do if you need to talk about someone who has passed away, how to be supportive and reassuring. If your friend or relative is struggling with this type of loss then we also have some tips on how best to help them deal with their grief and sadness. So read on for a breakdown of what needs to happen when dealing with this type of situation!
If you’re worried about a friend or relative, there are simple steps you can take to help.
If you’re worried about a friend or relative, there are simple steps you can take to help.
- Listen to what they have to say. Ask them how you can help and encourage them to talk about their feelings. Don’t judge them or tell them what to do; just listen and be supportive of whatever they need from you at that moment in time.
Talk to the person
To be a good listener, you should:
- Be non-judgmental. If your friend or relative is going through something difficult, it’s okay to be sympathetic but not judgmental.
- Support them in their decisions and goals as long as they are reasonable and not harmful to themselves or others around them.
- Ask open questions rather than giving advice (for example: “Have you thought about this?”). It’s important that the person feels comfortable enough with you so that they feel safe opening up about whatever issues may be bothering them—and if this isn’t possible for whatever reason (for instance, when talking about an intimate topic), then try asking neutral questions such as “How was your day?” or “What did [insert name] say after class today?”
Listen and be supportive
The most important thing you can do is listen. If a friend or relative tells you they’re worried about something, don’t judge them for being anxious or stressed out—instead, try to understand why they might be feeling this way. You might need to ask questions like:
- “What’s going on?”
- “How did this happen?”
- “What can I do to help?”
Encourage them to express how they feel
- Encourage them to express how they feel.
- Listen and acknowledge their feelings.
- Ask what you can do to help, but don’t push too hard in this conversation (for example, don’t tell them that it’s their fault).
- Be supportive of their feelings, whether or not you agree with the cause of those emotions; for example: “I know this isn’t easy for you, but I want to be there if there are things we can talk about.”
- Be patient if they are not ready yet—it may take time before a friend shares their thoughts and feelings with others around them (and even longer before they feel comfortable doing so).
Offer your time
If you are worried about your friend or relative, offer your time and help.
- Offer to go for a walk with them. It is often comforting to have someone else take control of the conversation so they can think through their thoughts and emotions.
- Offer to go along with them on a trip somewhere they want to go (or somewhere new). This will give them an opportunity to talk about things that are important in their life, while giving you an opportunity as well as yourself.
- Offer coffee or tea; this shows that you care about what they have been through and appreciate their company at this difficult time in their lives
Talk to their close friends if you think it might help
If you’re worried about a friend or relative, ask them to talk to their close friends. They might be able to help the person get through this tough time.
If this isn’t possible, then there are other things you can do:
- Encourage them to seek help from a professional, like a doctor or therapist (if they don’t have one). This step is important because it could save someone’s life if they don’t seek treatment right away.
- Keep an eye on your friend/relative while they’re going through this difficult time and make sure that they’re doing okay emotionally and physically by checking in regularly with each other as needed.
Suggest they talk to a professional or join a support group
If you’re worried about someone, the best thing to do is talk to a professional. This can be a therapist or doctor, but it could also be one of your friends who has had similar experiences. A professional will be able to help guide you through this difficult time and give advice on how best to deal with it.
You may also want to join a support group where people who are facing similar issues can discuss them openly without feeling judged or anxious about what others think of them.
Avoid making them feel guilty or ashamed
The first thing you should do if you’re worried about a friend or relative is to avoid making them feel guilty or ashamed. You can help them by not blaming them for their feelings, telling them that they’re being negative, or telling them to snap out of it. It’s important that this person knows how much you care about their well-being and happiness. This will help ensure that the person understands why it’s important not to blame themselves for their situation and instead focus on looking at the bright side of things in life.
Remember you can’t solve all their problems for them
As a friend or relative, you can’t fix everything for your friend or relative. They need to do the work themselves and it’s not your job to try and fix their problems for them. You may be able to help them by giving advice, but don’t try and fix things for them because it won’t work out in the long run.
You might not be able to fix everything but you can offer support.
- Listen and encourage your friend or relative to talk about what they’re worried about. If they don’t feel comfortable talking to you, try being there as a listening ear and someone who cares about them.
- Offer your time and resources (such as a phone call) when they need it most.
- Join a support group for people who have experienced similar experiences as yours, or seek out professional help from someone trained in dealing with stressors like this one (e., therapist).
Conclusion
If you’re worried about someone, it’s important to talk to them. Open up the lines of communication and listen to what they have to say. It can be difficult when your loved ones are having problems but by being there for them, it will make things a whole lot easier in the long run.
