If we are to look at our own lives, can we describe what Social Support looks like to us?
Social support is the belonging and care we receive from other people. It involves having a network of family and friends that you can turn to in times of need. These people may include partners, friends, family members, co-workers, neighbors or even professionals like doctors, counsellors, or social workers. Social support is often identified as a major component of solid relationships and strong psychological health.
Social support helps us to cope with setbacks, solve problems, improve self-esteem and it provides motivation. Social Support encourages healthy behaviors and choices and can even manage health problems and stress. Yet despite the benefits, people who experience overall health problems including mental health problems may find themselves pulling away from their support networks. They may feel ashamed or uncomfortable talking about their experiences, fear that others would not understand or judge them, they may wonder how others could even help, or think that they are burdening others. Also, the initial diagnosis of a health issue may leave individuals in shock and denial and often creates a divide with their existing network. Health issues are never easy to deal with and therefore they may need some time for acceptance and adjustment.
Supportive social networks can come in different forms and play different roles in our lives.
· Emotional Support
Emotional support allows for expression of feelings when one feels lonely and stressed. This may involve a hug or a shoulder to cry on.
· Instrumental Support
Instrumental support is related to physical needs. This may involve bringing someone a hot meal when they are sick or giving them a ride to the doctor.
· Informational Support
People who provide guidance, information, advice, mentoring, and suggestions. Informational support is so necessary in our lives specifically when we plan to make big decisions in our life.
How do you build a strong support system?
Find someone such as a parent, family member, friend, teacher, faith leader, health care provider or other trusted individual, who:
Give good/healthy advice when you want and ask for it; assists you in taking action that
will help
Likes, respects, and trusts you and who you like, respect, and trust, in return
Allows you the space to change, grow, make decisions, and even make mistakes
Listens to you and shares with you, both the good and bad times
Respects your need for confidentiality so you can tell him or her anything
Let’s you freely express your feelings and emotions without judging, teasing, or
criticizing
Works with you to figure out what to do the next time a difficult situation comes up
Has your best interest in mind
Taking the time to build a social support network is a wise investment not only for your mental
well-being but also in your physical health and longevity. Start making more friends or
improving the relationships you already have today. Individuals living with a mental health condition and their families are in need of strong Social Support as they can face a myriad of issues including the nature of the condition, receiving a diagnosis, the effects on one’s social life, stigma, discrimination and employment. Social support on all levels can greatly impact health outcomes, therefore we all have a crucial part to play in creating avenues to help patients and their families cope with the life changing issues that they face daily.
Written by:
Ms. Shunnell Nedd
BSc. Psychology