Friendship Day: Building Strong Support Systems
On August 4th, 2019 many people throughout the USA celebrated Friendship Day. Friendship Day is dedicated to emphasizing the importance of having strong support systems that you can consistently rely on. Making close connections with people is very important. Recent research has shown that people are becoming increasingly lonesome with each year, which can be detrimental to one’s mental and physical health.
Having close friends and family helps individuals build strong support systems, so that they feel like they are supported through the good and the bad events in their lives. There are many benefits to having strong support systems, which is especially applicable for people suffering from mental health disorders like substance use disorders or depression. While these are often the mental illnesses that make people feel the most alone, people suffering are best helped through the support of close friends who stay by their side.
Benefits of Strong Support Systems
There are many reasons why strong support systems are so important. For one, they can help people facilitate healthier behaviors and encourage others to take care of themselves. Being
encouraged and understood can help those suffering from mental health disorders where completing even the most basic tasks is a struggle. Having people that support you and encourage you to take care of yourself can help people take a step in the right direction. This is why support groups, like AA, are helpful to individuals. They give people a strong support system of people who will understand each other and encourage each other in their goals and through their struggles.
Social support and friendship can also help with reducing stress through empathy and venting. Being able to get a second opinion and advice from someone who understands and won’t be judgmental helps people cope with their everyday life stressors. This can also be helpful to increase people’s motivation, which can impact every part of our lives. This is especially important in substance use disorders, because it can encourage people to stick to their goal of quitting a substance and adhere to their treatment plans. This kind of support is often integral in the eventual success of treatment.
Can I Get A little Help Please?
Despite strong support systems, sometimes people need outside help that is more structured and focused in order to find a better way to deal with their stresses. Some people might need medication and therapy before they can properly tackle their problems. Friends and family are very important in encouraging people to continue with their treatments.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health disorder, a substance use disorder, please feel free to contact the professional team at Lifeline Connections for help! Getting yourself help, whether it is through self-help or by reaching out to professionals is an important part of recognizing that you are struggling and is a good step forward to get the help that you need. You can visit Lifelineconnections.org or call 360.397.8246 for more information.
