TALK TO SOMEONE

Building resilience - navigating through difficult times.

Have you ever been there for someone who needed help? There is likely someone who would want to be there for you.

Reaching out and asking for help builds resilience by fostering understanding, connections and exploring possible solutions.

In our nearly 50 years of service, we have learned reaching out to someone you trust is the first step to helping yourself. Reaching out is a sign of strength not weakness.

Who can you talk to?

• Reach out to someone you are comfortable opening up to - maybe a family, friend or professional.
• Reach out to someone who has guided you before.
• Reach out to someone you admire.

What if the person you reach out to isn't available or doesn't seem the right connection? If first person you try to connect to isn’t available give them a chance or possibly find someone else to help. Resilience means not giving up until the right person is identified and possible solutions are explored.

Opening sentences – How to ask for help.

Here are some opening sentences you can use when you want to talk to a trusted family member, friend or professional.

• "I’m really struggling right now, and I need someone to talk to."
• "I've been feeling really down lately, and I could use some support."
• "Can we talk? I’ve been having a tough time and don't know how to handle it."
• "I feel so overwhelmed. Can I share what’s been going on?"
• "I'm not sure where to turn, but I really need someone to listen."

A few reasons why it can be crucial to talk to someone you trust:

• Immediate Relief: Sharing your feelings can bring a sense of immediate relief and reduce the burden of holding everything inside.
• New Perspectives: Trusted friends can offer new insights and viewpoints that you may not have considered, which can be uplifting. We can all learn from other people’s experiences.
• Emotional Support: Having someone listen empathetically can provide essential emotionall support and make you feel less alone.
• Validation: Talking to someone can validate your feelings and experiences, making you feel understood and acknowledged.
• Safety Net: Friends and family can act as a safety net, offering reassurance and practical help when you need it most.
• Prevents Isolation: Communication helps prevent feelings of isolation and connects you with a support network.
• Encouragement: Loved ones can provide encouragement and motivate you to seek further help or take positive steps.
• Identifies Solutions: A trusted confidant can help you identify solutions or coping mechanisms that you might not think of on your own. We can always learn from other people’s experiences.
• Lowers Stress: Simply talking things through can lower stress levels and improve your overall mental health.
• Builds Resilience: Sharing your struggles can strengthen your resilience by fostering connections and understanding in your relationships.

Not ready to talk to a trusted family member, friend or professional? Call a volunteer at The Samaritans of Rhode Island. We are here to listen.

401.272.4044 or 1.800.365.4044