- Making a difference by supporting others
- How impactful can our support be?
- How do we recognise who needs support?
- Are we ready to support others?
- How can we provide support?
- How can we follow up after our conversation?
- How can we better support seniors?
- Supporting ourselves while caring for others
- Quiz: Discover your supporting style
- Useful resources and services
Making a difference by
supporting others
Throughout our lives, some of us may experience hardships and tough periods. When those we care for hit such rough patches, we may notice them acting unusual and showing signs that they are unwell. As someone in their lives, we can play an important role in reaching out and providing the support and comfort they need. For example, we could catch up with them over a meal or coffee, provide them with helpful information and resources, or simply just be there to offer them a listening ear.
While such acts may seem simple, it can make a difference. Knowing that there is someone to talk to and listen without passing judgement, can help them cope better with their struggles. Read on to find out how we can better support those we care for.
How do we recognise who
needs support?
As it may not always be obvious when someone we care for is having a hard time, we can look out for them by
paying attention to:Are we ready to support others?
To better support someone in need, we can ask ourselves:
- Consider if we are in the right headspace to offer our assistance
- Check that we have sufficient time to meet their needs
- Understand that it may be difficult for people to open up and talk about their struggles
- Be mindful to have patience when hearing them out
- Remember the purpose of our support (i.e. to provide a listening ear, be a comforting presence, or simply to let them know we are there for them whenever they feel like sharing)
If we do not think we are ready, we can ask someone who can offer better support to do so instead.
How can we provide support?
When supporting others, starting a conversation can be the hardest part. To make it easier, we can keep in mind to:
Pick an appropriate time for the conversation
Let them know why we would like to have a conversation with them
Choose a quiet environment with enough privacy so that we can help them feel comfortable
To show our support for them, we can also act with CARE. Click on the CARE buttons below to learn what they stand for:
How can we
follow up after
our conversation?
How can we better support seniors?
As seniors enter their golden years, we may start to see changes in their health and lifestyles. When supporting them,
To do so, we can:
Supporting ourselves while
caring for others
Supporting those around us while juggling our own life’s demands can take a toll on our physical and mental well-being and make it harder for us to support those we care for. Hence, it is important for us to practise and prioritise self-care. It is also important to remember that there is no need to feel guilty about attending to our needs.
Refer to these tips on managing stress and emotions to keep ourselves healthy.
Discover your
supporting style
Curious about how you support others? Try this fun quiz to find out what your style is and learn some tips to
boost your supportive skills!Start quizUseful resources and services
Thinking of checking in with someone we care for? Try these tools, chat stickers, and other useful resources to
help prepare and manage the conversation with ease.How can we
better
support
someone?
Virtual Journey to
Better
Support Others
Try it now
Tips to CARE for Others
Learn moreNot sure where else they can seek support? Direct them to explore these mental health resources so they can
find one suitable for their needs.Explore now