There are many meanings and uses for the word “support.” One of its more meaningful definitions is “to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage.” In our lives, we each experience difficult moments that make us feel like fainting. Moments where we want to give in to our sadness. Maybe even times when we yield ourselves to negative, destructive thoughts. It can be hard to find positivity, and even harder to find the path up from the darkness to the light. In these moments, an emotional support human is so important.
Emotional support humans take the hands of their loved ones and climb with them through their moments of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. This climb is a journey of empathy, compassion, togetherness, and honesty.
Taking a thoughtful approach to being an emotional support human
Emotional support humans across Howard County show up in different ways to help their loved ones. Let’s explore some of the methods emotional support humans use to show support:
- Reach out: Emotional support humans reach out in a way that is comfortable for the friend or family member they’re supporting. Sometimes it’s a text or phone call, or the sharing of a funny meme to let a person know you’re thinking of them. Other times, it may be a video call or setting up a time for a visit somewhere their loved one feels comfortable.
- Actively listen: Emotional support humans listen to their loved ones and don’t assume what kind of support they need most. It may be that their loved one is experiencing financial hardship and needs help with a bill or getting groceries. Maybe their loved one has found a therapist that they love, but is not able to always get to them, and needs a ride. Perhaps they’ve got just too many chores to get through and could use a hand tidying up or folding clothes. Emotional support humans not only show up when they’re needed, but how they’re needed.
- Be informed: Emotional support humans take the time to understand the specific mental health behaviors their loved ones are exhibiting and their symptoms. By becoming more familiar with different mental health challenges, emotional support humans can tailor their approach to support so that it’s specific to their loved one’s needs.
- Uphold a trusting relationship: Emotional support humans uphold the trust that is being placed in them by the loved one they are supporting, and do not share what that person is going through with others.
- Communicate healthy expectations and boundaries: Emotional support humans demonstrate healthy emotional habits and set boundaries. Being an effective helper means emotional support humans also go to therapy, take time for themselves when feeling overwhelmed, and maintain boundaries that allow them to feel present and safe when helping others.
- Include loved ones in your life: Emotional support humans include their loved ones in their own plans, which helps their loved one know that their presence is needed and valued. Consistently letting a person know that they are missed and thought of helps that person feel less alone. Emotional support humans continue to do this whether their loved one attends their plans or not.
Emotional support humans provide a literal and metaphorical shoulder, so that their loved ones don’t yield or give in to the negativity that is causing them to struggle. They recognize that everyone is on their own path and support their friend or family member as they find a way through the darkness.
They continuously show up to walk their loved one through their dark time with active listening, resource sharing, and helping to lighten the load of all the tasks that make up daily life. An emotional support human provides meaningful interaction with their loved ones and isn’t afraid to sit through tears, awkward silences, or rants.
If you are interested in learning more about how to become an emotional support human for someone in your life, there are interactive resources on this site where you can practice approaching the conversation with your loved one, as well as other posts that share best practices for how to keep yourself from burning out while taking on the problems of others. There is also space to share what practices have worked for you when supporting others, so that we all may benefit from one another.
Available Resources:
- “How do I start?” – Learn how to begin supporting someone you care about using these tips.
- “How do I say it?” – Looking for some ideas for what to say? Use these tips to help you start the conversation.
- “What else can I do?” – Consider these tips to keep the conversation going.
- Emotional support human interactive tool – Practice what you would say with this interactive scenario game.