Community and emotional support strategies
When you recognise that you are in a difficult life situation, it is a good idea to start building your own support network so that you do not have to cope with everything alone. When you are tired, stressed, and possibly in a kept-down position, it may have been difficult to maintain social relationships. However, it is possible to rebuild relationships that have been forgotten for a long time. People usually wish others all good, and many are ready to help even old friends.
It is worth starting to figure out and build a support network with those close to you. Could your own parents, grandparents, siblings or children be of help. Who are other relatives? Who are or have been friends, colleagues, neighbours, hobbyists? Getting in touch may seem difficult, but it can be rewarding. The person you end up contacting may be delighted to hear about your situation. It is worth telling as many people as possible about your situation and sometimes it happens that you hear stories from your peers or someone may have ways to help that you could not have imagined.
Even if you can't immediately say exactly what kind of help you need, it's good that many people are aware of the difficult life situation. Together you can plan how to act in an acute emergency - how you hope a friend or other person will act in practice. This can include calling the emergency number, coming to the scene, providing accommodation, transportation or giving some practical advice. You can also agree on a safety plan; if you don't arrive at the agreed place at the agreed time or using a jointly agreed code word in an emergency. The friend will then know how to act.
The workplace, supervisor, colleagues and HR can provide great support when they know what the employee is facing. They understand better what is at stake and can prepare for what may come. In some cases, the employer can help with housing matters and offer psychological support.
When you build your own support network, you can also experience empowerment and a rise in your sense of self-worth when you realise that you are not alone.
Society also has resources to help. If the situation involves children, you can ask for help from early childhood education, school, health and social services. Child welfare has professionals who work to solve challenging situations for families with the children in mind. It is worth talking to them openly about your concerns and the threat you experience. You can also draw up a safety plan with them. They also have ways to get a family out of a very difficult situation, for example to a shelter. You can also get help from them when planning your next steps.
It is a good idea to save the necessary numbers on your phone, which can be used to get help around the clock. There is no need to be afraid to call the emergency number in an emergency.
In a difficult situation, a person acts at their limits. That is why it is important to eat and drink something throughout the day, even if you have to force it. Resources are needed. If you have difficulty sleeping, you should consult a doctor. Sufficient sleep is the basis for getting through a difficult situation.
