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Wanting to help others who are struggling with behavioral health issues is admirable—and deeply needed.
We all know people suffering from mental health or substance abuse problems, which are often influenced by emotional issues, social disconnection, and spiritual emptiness. Many are not getting assistance, yet there are steps they can take to prevent their situations from getting worse. And—if we’re willing—we may be able to help.
We can learn to be there for others, and a good way to get started is to share useful resources with people who are hurting.
The Prevention Movement can help. It is a STEPS-sponsored initiative to help people avoid or lessen problems that are often caused by behavioral health conditions such as substance abuse and mental health issues. It’s focused on helping people earlier—before small struggles turn into major crises.
The Prevention Movement is also about equipping people to help each other in practical ways. It offers proven and useful resources that can be easily shared with people who may be struggling. Now, for all the people around you who may be hurting, there is someone who can help them: “You!”
We Need to Change How We Think and Act
Transformation starts by changing how we think, which leads to adjusting how we act.
Things do need to change, because there are widespread substance abuse and mental health problems. We need to change how we think about behavioral health—more empathy and compassion—and be willing to help others who are struggling.
The P-A-C-E-S methodology (Preparation, Awareness, Connection, Education, and Steps) can help us improve our own lives and help others who are struggling. This positive transformation starts by understanding some key truths about behavioral health and then using those new insights as inspiration to live life better and be there for others as well:
- “We’re all addicted to something.” – PREPARATION: Commit to be proactive about our lifestyle choices and be available to help people who may be struggling.
- “Most people who struggle never get help.” – AWARENESS: Develop self-awareness and self-control and be more aware of anyone around us who may be hurting.
- “Behavioral health issues can be prevented.” – CONNECTION: Strengthen relationships with God and others and share empathy and compassion with those in pain.
- “Wellness-based skills help us live life better.” – EDUCATION: Learn how to make better choices and build healthy habits and share helpful resources with other people.
- “We can improve our lives one step at a time.” – STEPS: Have a plan to move forward one step at a time and become more intentional about reaching out to help others.
It’s a personal choice to be willing to change how we think and a responsibility to then change how we act, because we all have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.
Helping Others is Easy by Sharing Resources
Helping others doesn’t necessarily require training or dramatic action. It can be simply sharing a helpful article, forwarding a link, or pointing people to resources that may help them. Small actions can sometimes make a big difference.
The Prevention Movement features online educational resources anyone can access, use, and benefit from that we can also share with others, because STEPS has gathered many of the best tips and techniques for helping others who are struggling.
Here’s how different groups can take the next right steps:
Organizations: See the article “How Organizations Can Help Their People.”
- Next Right Steps: Learn how you can help your people on the STEPS Organizations page.
Individuals: See the articles “What to Do if Someone at Work is Struggling,” “Meeting and Helping People Where They Are” (2 parts), and “Helping Others Move Toward Safety.”
- Next Right Steps: Find useful Online Toolkits on Behavioral Health and Life Improvement on the STEPS Individuals page.
Spouses: See the articles “What to Do if Your Spouse is Struggling” (2 parts).
- Next Right Steps: Share that article and resources on the STEPS Individuals page with your spouse and talk about them.
Parents: See the article “How to Help Your Kids When They Struggle.”
- Next Right Steps: Use the helpful Online Toolkits found on the STEPS Parents page.
Anyone can use these resources to help others who are struggling. It starts by changing how we think about behavioral health and becoming willing to change how we act toward those who may be hurting.
Because there are people around you who are struggling, and they are probably not talking to anyone about it or getting any support. And the person who can help them might be you.
All it requires is a willingness to take the next right steps.
