Advice

The Importance of Seeking Support

November 28, 2024

This month’s blog has been written by Christina, one of our Wellbeing Advisors, and looks at her thoughts about the importance of reaching out for support when a loved one has a serious illness.

Reaching Out

Some people believe that reaching out for help is a sign of weakness, however it is actually a sign of great strength and courage. When a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness, is terminally ill, has recovered or sadly died, you can experience a rollercoaster of emotions. At Hope Support Services, we are proud to offer a confidential space, either online or in person, to allow you to talk through your thoughts and feelings.

Seeking help allows you to either process news that you have found difficult, ask questions about treatment plans or share emotions that you are struggling with at the moment. Talking to someone can help to release powerful feelings which you may be holding inside and together with one of our Wellbeing Advisors, you can start to learn useful coping strategies and skills to help make life feel more manageable.

The New Normal

Watching a loved one with a serious illness can be really hard and we know that responsibilities can sometimes increase at home, such as doing extra chores, or it can just be very difficult seeing a loved one feeling unwell and not behaving as they usually would. You may also suddenly be surrounded by hospital appointments, medical jargon, feel confused and not know what to say or where to turn.

It is crucial when going through a challenging time that you give yourself permission to practice self-care. Part of self-care is recognising your feelings and giving yourself time and space to take care of any difficult thoughts or habits and learn healthy strategies, such as talking to someone. In order for us to thrive as individuals, we need a strong support network and Hope is proud to continue supporting children and young people through tough times.

Why Get Support?

Seeking support can improve your wellbeing and increase your confidence and ability to cope, reducing isolation and associated issues, such as anxiety and depression. Talking to someone helps you to build resilience so you can face challenges easier and can also improve your relationships with friends, family and school, if applicable.

It takes a strong person to take the first step and ask for help. It’s very normal if you’re apprehensive about talking but through the expert guidance of our Wellbeing Advisors, you won’t regret seeking support. You can find out more about our support here.