Latest news with #emotionalsupport
BreakingNews.ie
21-05-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Samaritans volunteers answer 50 calls an hour, research shows
Samaritans volunteers answered 50 calls every hour last year, new research has revealed. The Samaritans Ireland Impact Report for 2024 also said that the service is the only form of support for over half of callers. Advertisement It said that volunteers provided 100,000 hours of support to callers during the year, providing a lifeline to people who were struggling to cope. The 2024 Impact Report also highlighted that, in Ireland, volunteers responded to 470,000 calls, answering around 1,200 every day. The most frequently raised concerns related to mental health or illness, isolation and loneliness and family problems. Multiple issues can be raised in one call, the charity added. Advertisement Emotional support calls lasted on average 28 minutes, the report added. 6,800 calls were diverted to Samaritans from five other helplines when they were closed. Sarah O'Toole, executive director for Samaritans Ireland, said at the launch of the report that Samaritans' vision is that fewer people die by suicide. "Our volunteers create a safe space for human connection that can often be life-saving. In the quiet moments of human struggle, a listening ear can be the difference between despair and hope," Ms O'Toole said. Advertisement Samaritans also launched the results of its first caller experience research, Understanding Our Callers in Ireland, which surveyed almost 600 people. The research on caller's experience of using the helpline, carried out by University College Cork, found high satisfaction levels with Samaritans service. It also showed that Samaritans was the only form of support for 56 per cent of those surveyed. Funded by the HSE's National Office of Suicide Prevention, it revealed that 84 per cent felt that Samaritans provided a safe space for them, 79 per cent felt genuinely listened to, and 73 per cent reported feeling supported by the Samaritans service. Advertisement Ms O'Toole called the results heartening and said they reaffirmed the key role of Samaritans in Ireland's mental health landscape. 'We know we are often a lifeline and the only support for people who are lonely or feeling isolated, people who are struggling with the pressures of day-to-day life, and people who are in crisis. Now, this new research confirms that. 'One caller described Samaritans an 'emotional ambulance', while another said: 'I wouldn't be standing here today only for them'," she added. 'This study reaffirms Samaritans' profound impact on our callers, with an overwhelming majority reporting a positive experience with our service.' Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, said that she does not doubt that voluntary organisations like Samaritans have played a "key role" in the "significant reduction in the rate of suicide and self-harm" by acting as a lifeline for many.
Independent Singapore
17-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
I gave 7 years of emotional and financial support to him, only to lose him to his female best friend
SINGAPORE: A woman shared her heartbreak on social media, saying that even after seven years of emotionally and financially supporting her boyfriend, he ultimately became closer to his female best friend instead. Posting on the NUSWhispers Facebook page on Tuesday (May 13), she revealed that she had gone to great lengths to stand by her boyfriend during their time together. She worked multiple jobs, took on debt, and even sacrificed her own well-being just to support him. She also admitted she endured much of the pain in silence, often lying to her friends to hide how badly she was hurting. 'I didn't want to let my friends know and worry about how much I was hurting, so I made up 'perfect' stories for them. I equated love with sacrifice, so I just kept giving even when it hurt,' she wrote. However, while she was giving him her full emotional and financial support, he was growing increasingly attached to another woman he described as his 'best friend like a sister.' According to her, this friend received all his time, attention, and emotional support—things she had longed for but rarely experienced. 'She [the girl best friend] was allowed to get all the best parts of him and took all his free time. He would defend her whenever I spoke about it,' the woman wrote. 'When it was really supposed to be me who was holding his hand, it was he who brought her to meet his family and stood by his side, while I never once met his family.' The woman further shared that she constantly felt neglected, as her boyfriend often told her he was too tired or busy to spend time together. Yet somehow, he always had time and energy for this other girl. When she confronted him about this, he dismissed her concerns as misunderstandings and insisted they were 'just like siblings.' 'I wasn't blind, I was in denial,' the woman wrote. 'After all this time, I have come to terms with the reality: I was never 'the one.' I was just defined by how much I gave and by how profoundly I lost. I was stupidly blinded, and I tried to convince myself to believe in their words that they were 'nothing'.' At the end of her post, the woman said that she shared her story 'not as a call for her boyfriend to return' but as a form of closure. 'I'm done, and I finally walked away.' 'Do not trust a guy with an opposite-gender best friend…' After reading the woman's post, many commenters commended her strength and applauded her choice to finally leave the relationship. One said, 'It takes tremendous courage to walk away from someone you deeply loved and invested in, especially after so many years. Don't let anyone make you feel small for choosing yourself. You did the right thing, and you deserve someone who values you the way you love others.' Another wrote, 'Proud of you for walking away. Keep your head held high.' Others also jumped in to remind women not to stay in relationships where they're being taken advantage of. Many pointed out that love should be mutual, and if one person is doing all the giving while the other barely puts in any effort, it's not worth staying. One explained, 'If a man loves you, he will never ask you to split the bills 50:50 or ask you for money or borrow money from you. He will take good care of you financially, even if he does not have enough money for himself. He will put much effort into you and action. 'Never ever help a man financially. Because he just manipulates you, never date a broke, lazy man; he just uses you for ladders, and he will choose another woman he likes.' Another added, 'Do not trust a guy with an opposite-gender best friend. Period.' In other news, a young Singaporean who recently secured offers to study medicine at both National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University has taken to social media to express her growing frustration with her parents, who not only refused to fund her university education but still expect her to 'support them financially in the future.' In a post on the r/SGExams subreddit, the student shared that she had chosen to pursue her studies locally to save on accommodation costs, thinking it would lighten the load for her parents. However, despite her parents being financially capable, they informed her last year that they would not be paying for her university fees. Read more: 'They won't pay my uni fees, but want financial support later' — Singaporean says of her parents Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
CNET
11-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
7 Friendship Hacks to Make New Connections as an Adult
Moving to new places in adulthood can be isolating, especially if you are having these new experiences by yourself. You don't have your chosen people around you to help you navigate the changes, which can feel lonely. Add in work and life obligations, and finding the time to dedicate to making friends can feel impossible -- but it doesn't have to be. You don't need a huge group of friends to feel fulfilled, but most people need at least a few. Companionship has tangible health benefits you'll want to take advantage of. Making friends doesn't have to be a struggle, especially if you try these fool-proof tricks to put yourself out there and meet new people. Why is friendship important? We're social creatures. We require human connection to be happy. It's more than that; friendship isn't just important because being alone is worse. Friends promote better overall health. They give you someone to talk to andoffer emotional support that helps you cope with things you're experiencing. Whether financial strain or mental health struggles, having friends to talk to about can validate your feelings and may even empower you to make changes. Friendship offers tangible short- and long-term benefits for your mental and physical health that you can't get by yourself. Benefits of friendship include but are not limited to: Improving your physical health: Research suggests that having friends may lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and compromised immune function. Research suggests that having friends may lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and compromised immune function. Reducing loneliness and feelings of social isolation : Close friendships will keep you from feeling isolated and reduce the impact of loneliness. : Close friendships will keep you from feeling isolated and reduce the impact of loneliness. Boosting your self-esteem : Just like not having many friends can drain your confidence, making new friends boosts your self-worth. Why? Because you have new people to support and celebrate your wins. : Just like not having many friends can drain your confidence, making new friends boosts your self-worth. Why? Because you have new people to support and celebrate your wins. Helping you cope with stress: Studies have shown that people with more social capital or close friends tend to be better at handling stress. You may also experience fewer spikes in stress in the first place. It can be hard to make friends as an adult You know how your mom stops making doctor appointments when you grow up? She also stops making sure you keep up with your relationships. As an adult, you have to make an effort. With things like social media to passively keep up with people, sometimes it's hard to secure good, dependable friends. Liking and commenting on "friends'" pictures gives you the illusion of closeness without actually feeling it, which can leave you frustrated. Friends are worth making, but it's not always a walk in the park. Everyone knows the fear that goes along with trying to make friends as an adult -- a fear of being misunderstood or rejected. It's understandable, but giving in to those feelings may be what's sabotaging you in the first place. Research has found that those who assume they will be rejected come off as cold and withdrawn, which pushes people away.7 techniques to help you make friends as an adult 1. Make sure you know what you want Defining what you want is where everyone has to start. Before you do anything else, think about what you want out of the relationships you're trying to make. How much time and effort are you willing to put into finding a friendship and maintaining it after? What type of friend are you looking for? Remember, friendship is a two-way street. Once you know what you expect and need from a friend, ensure you reciprocate that with others. 2. Put yourself out there There's no sugarcoating this: Making friends will require a lot of effort on your part. You can't just click your heels and expect friends to appear. Putting yourself out there means pushing outside of your comfort zone. A great place to start is your community. Attend events at your local brewery or networking events. It helps you put down roots and connect with the people around you. If you're someone (like me) who loves their comfort zone and struggles to get out of it, don't forget to set boundaries for yourself. You don't want to push yourself so hard that you retreat out of necessity. Building relationships takes time and can be draining while waiting for positive reinforcement from others. Try marking your calendar with the days you'll make your social outings. On those days, you can go to new places, introduce yourself and put yourself out there. On the other days, you can commit to recharging and taking time to care for yourself. 3. Try online groups I mentioned how social media can sometimes backfire regarding friendship -- it gives you the image of it but not the real thing. That's not to say that you cannot create meaningful friendships online without ever meeting your friends in real life. Many people prefer online connections because it doesn't have the pressure of going out and meeting in person. It's a great choice for people who have anxiety or are introverted. Using online shared interest groups like gaming servers or support groups gives you the biggest opportunity to meet different types of people. Doing it from the comfort of your own home isn't half bad, either. 4. Throw a party This one isn't for everyone, but if you're a social butterfly looking for others like you, consider throwing a party. It doesn't have to be a fancy soiree; watching a sporting event or hosting a trivia night counts too. Whatever it is, the idea is to host a social event on your terms -- you choose when it is, dictate the hours and pick your guest list. If you cringed at the thought of inviting a bunch of strangers over in the name of friendship, don't worry. You can use your social gathering as a sort of networking event. Invite the friends you already have and tell them to bring one new person with them when they come. That way, you have the comfort of the people you know and meet new people who have already been vetted. It's like getting set up but for friendship.5. Get on the apps (but in a friendship way) Picking friends is hard. Sometimes, you need an algorithm to help you find them. Similar to dating apps, there are apps specifically designed to meet and become friends with people. All you have to do is make a profile by adding a few pictures and a bio, and then you're ready to start swiping. On many apps, you can filter by age, gender and interests. Popular options are Bumble BFF, WINK, Nextdoor and Meetup. 6. Start volunteering or join a club Let's talk about the concept of situational friends. Essentially, it refers to the friends you make simply because you're in the same place, like work or the gym. Frequently, situational friends stay just that -- the person you chat with when you see each other, and then you go your separate ways once you leave. There is plenty of value in this type of friendship. If you're seeking something longer-lasting, you can take advantage of situational friendships by volunteering or joining a club. Introduce yourself, and establish a continued line of communication with them. Ask them if they will be at the next event, or give them a follow on social media. 7. Stay with it Making friends as an adult is a process. You should expect peaks and valleys of feedback. Take time to keep your self-worth from getting tied up with your friendship search. Indulge in self-care by treating yourself to things you enjoy -- like bubble baths or little treats. Don't forget to take care of yourself. Take a walk if you're feeling overwhelmed, or try meditation to get in touch with your feelings.
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I hired a 'death doula' to help my terminally ill mother in her final days - it was the best decision I made and here's why you should consider it
Doulas have become an increasingly normal part of childbirth. These hired assistants help expectant mothers, providing emotional and practical support in the lead-up to, during and after childbirth – including speaking up for the woman. And now doulas are growing in popularity to support people through life's other huge transition: dying.
