Providing Effective Social Support

Dear Reader,

Emotional support is when you show expressions of concern, empathy, and positive regard.

Tangible support involves direct assistance.

Effective strategies include:

--> Be a good listener and show concern.

--> Ask questions that encourage the person under stress to express feelings and emotions.

--> Express understanding about why the person is upset.

--> Express affection for the person.

--> Be willing to invest time and attention in helping.

--> Help the person with practical tasks.

Unhelpful strategies include:

--> Giving advice that the person under stress has not requested.

--> Saying "I know exactly how you feel."

--> Talking about yourself or your own problems.

--> Minimizing the importance of the person's problem.

--> Joking or acting overly cheerful.

--> Offering your philosophical or religious interpretation.

-- Ella Cinder