Health support workers work alongside medical professionals to assist in patient care. They may work in hospitals, schools or even homes and possess many responsibilities that demand a variety of abilities.
Support services for those suffering from mental illness or other chronic health issues are of utmost importance in our community, from helping them secure government assistance through outreach programs to counseling sessions and therapy sessions.
Emotional support
Emotional support is an integral component of healthcare. It can provide comforting validation that makes a big difference to wellbeing; and give individuals control over their situation and reduce stress levels.
Support services may consist of listening, empathy and reassurance as well as helping someone locate therapy services or mental health support services. They may come from trusted confidantes or from wider social networks.
Studies show that people with strong support networks tend to experience less psychological distress and are more likely to seek assistance when needed, leading to improved health outcomes. Emotional support comes in various forms; providing a sense of belonging and connection while decreasing loneliness and isolation, providing practical assistance such as financial or logistical help, or offering information and guidance such as referring someone for therapy services or advice on self-care strategies are just some ways it can be delivered.
Social support
Social support comes in many forms, but its most crucial benefit lies in creating a sense of belonging. Being part of an inclusive network can help individuals feel less lonely and reduce the risk of mental health problems.
Supportive relationships can also offer vital advice and guidance. A friend who has faced similar trials might offer guidance on how to manage stress or depression, or provide practical help such as an emotional shoulder to cry on or access to financial assistance.
More recently, research has focused on understanding how social support impacts health outcomes. Some studies have linked support with fruit and vegetable intake, exercise participation and smoking cessation; as well as psychological adaptation during stressful periods like cancer diagnosis or arthritis disease diagnosis.
Practical help
Individuals needing help to navigate health-related adversity may require emotional, social and practical assistance – combined, they create an effective support network which enables them to successfully face life’s obstacles.
Example: Someone who has recently lost their job may need practical support in finding another position or helping with childcare arrangements, so that they can focus on both their wellbeing and fulfilling responsibilities simultaneously. Likewise, people grieving may appreciate being encouraged to take a break from caring for others and doing housework tasks every day.
Other forms of practical assistance may include transport and appointments scheduling services, helping people maintain relationships within their community by organizing activities or providing long-term, dedicated advice via telephone from a nurse adviser; all known as user-controlled personal assistance which is free and includes home help services.
Information and guidance
Health care support workers often must juggle multiple tasks at once. They must prioritize their work efficiently, quickly and solve problems when needed – which requires strong prioritizing skills as well as strong written and verbal communication abilities to document observations and patient updates, while communicating effectively with other members of their staff.
Support groups of people with similar experiences can serve as an intermediary between medical treatment and emotional needs, whether sponsored by a clinic, hospital, community organization or independent.
If your company provides a mental health assistance program, ensure that employees know about it by advertising it regularly – for instance in monthly newsletters. Remind employees that it is confidential and free, with possible hotlines or direct access resources being made available as additional ways of offering these services – click here for more information about them.
