The ABC’s of helping a friend in crisis….
Life is unpredictable and sometimes the people we care about find themselves facing unexpected crises. Whether it’s a sudden illness, a personal loss, or a challenging life change, knowing how to support a friend in need can be both crucial and daunting. Let’s explore the ABCs of being a supportive friend during difficult times. By asking how you can best help, being present, considering practical ways to support from afar, not taking things personally, and educating yourself about their situation, you can offer meaningful assistance and comfort. Let’s be there for those we love when they need it the most in the best way that we can. Just by being a listening ear, you can help!
Ask. Ask them how they want you to help.
Be there. Make yourself available, whether it’s for a phonecard or a shoulder to cry on, supporting those you care about requires you many times to stretch across the lines of communication. That might me you have to pick up the phone to call them and check on them. Don’t sit back and wait for months to go by
Consider. How can you help from a distance. Sometimes the best thing you can do is make or send them a meal, or to pick up their kids or even do a load of laundry. Being a good friend means supporting them in any way you can.
Don’t internalize. It’s most likely not even about you. People handle situations completely different but don’t create a problem that wasn’t there before by assuming your friend is upset with you.
Educate. Do your research. Look for resources to help them or to help you understand how to help them. When I found out about a health condition that was stressing me, one of my best friends went on line and search for ways to help. It was the best thing she could’ve done. It spared me from looking at all the horrible outcomes because Google always shows you the worst case scenarios first.
