We are not meant to be alone and there is no honor in never receiving support. A strong support system can have a positive impact on your day-to-day mental health status.
Build A Strong Support System
Here are a few steps to get you started:
Build confidence
Building self-confidence is crucial for personal growth and a strong support system. It involves believing in your worth, the value of your thoughts, feelings, and goals, and trusting your abilities.
Connect with a professional
Connecting with a mental health professional is an essential step in building a strong support system. They can provide ongoing support for both everyday challenges and deeper issues while also guiding you on how to expand your support network beyond them.
Determine who you want in your support system
Choosing the right people to include in your support system is critical to your mental health and well-being. Select individuals who demonstrate genuine care, kindness, and respect towards you, and have a vested interest in seeing you thrive.
Find a hobby
Engaging in a hobby can help you build meaningful connections and friendships with others who share your interests, making it an excellent way to cultivate a strong and supportive community.
Accept help
Accepting help from others can be challenging, but it’s a crucial step in building a strong support system. Remember that your loved ones want to see you thrive and are often more than willing to help when you need it, so don’t hesitate to ask for assistance when you need it.
As you build your STRONG support system, consider how you feel and most importantly whether you are experiencing the following:
Validation and empathy: A strong support system provides validation and empathy, which can help people feel heard and understood.
“When I share my struggles, do I feel less alone and more connected?”
Encouragement and motivation: Supportive people can offer encouragement and motivation, which can be particularly important during challenging times.
“Do I receive positive feedback that makes me feel empowered?”
Problem-solving: Support system members can help someone identify and solve problems related to their mental health.
“Does my support offer new perspectives, brainstorm solutions, and provide practical assistance (e.g. help you find a therapist)?”
Coping skills: Support system members can help someone learn and practice coping skills. Coping skills are essential for managing stress and emotional distress.
“When I am struggling, do they help me remember and practice my coping skills?”
Crisis management: In some cases, mental health crises may occur. In these instances, a support system can provide immediate support and help ensure someone gets the appropriate care they need.
“Can I rely on them to immediately respond to me in an emergency?”
A strong support system can help you build resilience, increase your sense of belonging, and develop the skills and resources needed to improve and manage your mental health.
Hi, I hope you’re well! I’m reaching out with an article idea that I thought would work well on your site.
I’d like to write about unique ways to help a loved one with a chronic health condition.
I know folks are always looking for ways to assist ill loved ones, but especially when the condition is chronic, it can be hard to know what to do.
If you’re interested in posting my article, will you please let me know?
Thank you very much,
Suzanne Tanner | https://ablesafety.org/
P.S. I’d understand if you don’t want to receive further emails from me, and just reply to let me know. However, if my proposed content interests you, I’d be happy to send it your way. Let me know of any writing preferences or inclusions that you’d like to see.