Every-Life-Matters have identified a 5 step process to help you to help those who may be emotionally struggling. (https://www.every-life-matters.org.uk/helping-others/)

Be Aware – look for signs that your friend or colleague might not be coping and check in with them on a regular basis

Ask – while they might want to appear brave and don’t want to ‘bother’ other people – trust your instincts and ask them outright “How are you doing?” and don’t be fobbed off. Let them know you are concerned and that you care about them.

Listen – don’t just ask the question and then not listen to them – give them space to talk, really listen to what they are saying.

Build Support – help them to identify what kind of support they need. Work with them to identify their own support network of family and friends and help them develop a plan for what they can do next. Sometimes it’s feeling as if you’re not in control that can be overwhelming, helping your friend or colleague to develop a plan means they can feel in control again.

Check-in – keep in regular contact with them – let them know that you are there for them. It can make a big difference to a person if they know that someone has noticed they haven’t been themselves and cares enough to want to help.

Kindness is a remedy for anxiety; the moment we pay less attention to our problems and focus on doing good for others we enter a win- win situation. Being kind to someone might just open a door to a new friendship or develop a social connection. The effect a kind act might have may change your friend or colleague’s life for the better.  Yes – these are challenging times but the coronavirus has provided us with unexpected opportunities to demonstrate kindness and to take care of each other.  In some occasions some people may prefer to seek more professional support or call a helpline:-

Cruse Bereavement Support      0808 808 1677

Breathing Space                               0800 83 85 87

Samaritans                                         116 123