Practical tips on looking after others
- Offer your听support.听Let your friend or family member know that you are here for them when they are ready to talk.
- Know when to talk. Pick a nice quiet spot to talk, meet with them one on one rather than in a group, avoid talking during stressful times i.e. meal times, and choose a time when you both have plenty of time to chat.
- Be prepared听with what you want to talk to them about.
- Be respectful听of their boundaries and privacy, they may not be ready to talk to you about what is going on for them.
- When your friend is ready to talk听ask open questions like 鈥渨hat can I do to support you with that?鈥 practice reflective listening using phrases like 鈥渋t sounds as if鈥 鈥渨hat I understand is that鈥 and don鈥檛 worry if you don鈥檛 understand your friend will appreciate you just being there.
- Keep up with all the fun stuff that you normally do together.
- Keep in touch.听Do small things for your friend to show them that you care and that you are thinking of them.
- Encourage them to seek support.听Offer to help your friend access some professional support and to go with them to the first appointment.
- Look after yourself.听Supporting a friend or family member through a tough time can be challenging therefore it is important that you look after yourself, continue to keep up with your daily routine and get support for yourself.
