{"id":7602,"date":"2022-09-26T13:50:51","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T05:50:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/?p=7602"},"modified":"2022-09-27T10:41:04","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T02:41:04","slug":"how-to-be-an-effective-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/how-to-be-an-effective-support\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be an Effective Support"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img class='avia_image' src='https:\/\/scc.sg\/e\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/hands-united-heart-community-love-scaled.jpg' alt='' title='Hands united heart community of love' height=\"1708\" width=\"2560\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>10 October 2022<\/strong> is World Mental Health Day, and World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced the theme as \u201c<\/span><b>Make Mental Health &#038; Wellbeing for All a Global Priority<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d [<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/events\/detail\/2022\/10\/10\/default-calendar\/world-mental-health-day-2022---make-mental-health-and-well-being-for-all-a-global-priority\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">]. WHO emphasises the need for accessibility to mental health services, as we inevitably struggle with mental health concerns from time to time. This includes experiencing high levels of stress and worsening mental health conditions. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apart from professional help, research has shown that people are more likely to turn to their loved ones and friends as the first line of support. As such, YOU play an important role in the facilitation of wellbeing for the people you love and care for! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can do that in three simple ways: <strong>Notice signs of distress, provide active listening, and link them to help resources where applicable. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Signs of Distress<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Withdrawal from school\/work\/get-togethers or any social activities\/outings [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/disaster-distress-helpline\/warning-signs-risk-factors\">2<\/a>]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden changes in sleep patterns [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/disaster-distress-helpline\/warning-signs-risk-factors\">2<\/a>]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Changes in eating patterns (not eating well, or overeating) [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/disaster-distress-helpline\/warning-signs-risk-factors\">2<\/a>]\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent emotional breakdowns or outbursts [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/disaster-distress-helpline\/warning-signs-risk-factors\">2<\/a>]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent unexplained aches and pains (Eg. stomachaches, headaches) [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/disaster-distress-helpline\/warning-signs-risk-factors\">2<\/a>]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of interest in hobbies or interests they once had [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/disaster-distress-helpline\/warning-signs-risk-factors\">2<\/a>]<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sudden changes in their behaviour patterns or personas (eg. someone who used to be bubbly becomes sullen out of the blue) [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/disaster-distress-helpline\/warning-signs-risk-factors\">2<\/a>]<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_heading  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >How to Practice Active Listening<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_textblock  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >1. Allow them to speak first and keep the conversation on their story, not ours.<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We may want to fix their problems by giving advice, or we may direct the conversation towards our own experiences and struggles. As a result, we may have a tendency to jump in as the distressed individual is sharing their troubles. However, they might simply be looking for someone to lend a listening ear. Although it may be well-intentioned, it may end up invalidating the person\u2019s situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, it is helpful to hold ourselves back, and <strong>give them full attention<\/strong>. Be <strong>present<\/strong> in the conversation and ask them questions regarding what they have shared to encourage them to open up more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being able to <strong>get everything off their chest<\/strong> and <strong>verbalizing<\/strong> deep-seated thoughts and emotions is rather healing in and of itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >2. Ask open-ended questions<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Asking open-ended questions can better facilitate the flow of the conversation, rather than asking \u201cyes or no\u201d questions. Close-ended questions usually <strong>limit<\/strong> the information we can learn about the other person\u2019s perspective and their situation [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-active-listening-3024343\">3<\/a>].<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open-ended questions we can ask, can be about <\/span><b>how they feel<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>what they\u2019re thinking<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>what they\u2019ve tried<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>whether our responses were helpful or unhelpful.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples include<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow does that make you feel\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat are some fears you have that led you to behave this way?\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cYou mentioned ___, could you tell me more about it?&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >3. Paraphrase what they had said<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We can <strong>reflect<\/strong> to them what we have heard from them to assure the other person that we have been listening to what they have said. It also gives us a chance to know if we have <strong>accurately<\/strong> understood their thoughts, ideas and emotions, to prevent likelihood of miscommunication [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-active-listening-3024343\">3<\/a>].\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >4. Maintain an open body language<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>At least 65%<\/strong> of our communication is <strong>non-verbal<\/strong>, either through facial expressions, speech intonations or gestures [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.pa.gov\/topics\/Documents\/Emergency%20Preparedness\/Nonverbal%20Cues%20-%20FEMA%20Effective%20Communication.pdf\">4<\/a>]. Therefore, it is important for us to adopt an open stance when speaking to those in distress, like relaxing our posture, facing them, and making eye contact. On the other hand, we should <strong>avoid<\/strong> adopting a closed stance, like turning away from them, looking at your phone and avoiding eye contact. This can in turn express a <strong>disinterest<\/strong> in the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >5. Be comfortable with silence<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not uncommon for people to view silence as awkward. This often leads to an urge to fill the silence with our own thoughts and opinions. <strong>Appropriate silence<\/strong>, on the other hand, gives the person time to think and reflect before answering your question. If they are crying, silence can also be appropriate in giving the individual space to <strong>release pent up emotions<\/strong>\u00a0[<a href=\"https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/blog\/the-hidden-benefits-of-silence#boosts-creativity\">5<\/a>].\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Showing Support to Someone in Distress<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we comfort others, it helps to be mindful of words we use when speaking to those in distress, in order to not add to their already vulnerable state. Here are some common mistakes we tend to make, and how we can respond better! <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='avia-table main_color avia-pricing-table-container  avia_pricing_default   avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_heading  avia-table-1'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Table\" ><div class='pricing-table-wrap'><ul class='pricing-table avia-center-col'><li class='avia-heading-row'><div class='first-table-item'>What not to say?<\/div><span class='pricing-extra'><\/span><\/li><li class=''>It\u2019s not a big deal \/ Everything\u2019s going to be okay!<\/li><li class=''>I know how you feel<\/li><li class=''>Everyone goes through this \/ Other people have gone through worse<\/li><li class=''>It do be that way sometimes\u2026<\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class='pricing-table-wrap'><ul class='pricing-table avia-center-col'><li class='avia-heading-row'><div class='first-table-item'>What to say?<\/div><span class='pricing-extra'><\/span><\/li><li class=''>That sounds rough\u2026 \/ It sounds like you are going through a difficult time\u2026<\/li><li class=''>Can you tell me how you feel?<\/li><li class=''>What can I do to help you?<\/li><li class=''>I relate to that too&#8230; Is there another way we can look at the situation?<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-18  el_after_av_table  el_before_av_textblock  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Being Our Own Support<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as we wish to help others who are going through a hard time, we need to be aware of the effects on our own mental health. To <strong>practice self-care<\/strong> when showing support, we can draw <strong>clear boundaries<\/strong> such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Being careful not to make promises we cannot keep\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promises like \u201cI\u2019ll always be there for you\u201d and \u201cYou can call me anytime!\u201d can be misleading as it is often <strong>not realistic<\/strong> for us to devote 24\/7 of our time to our friends. Furthermore, broken promises can cause already-distressed individuals to <strong>spiral further<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\u00a0<b>Communicating your boundaries\u00a0<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We may want to be present for our friends but often we may find ourselves <strong>unable<\/strong> to sustain a helpful conversation with them due to certain circumstances (Eg. long tiring day at work). In this case, we can choose to <strong>communicate<\/strong> that with the other party:<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examples include:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThanks for sharing this with me! It\u2019s been a really tough day for me though, is it okay if I read this properly and reply tomorrow?\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBy the way, if you\u2019re texting me at night and I did not reply to you, just know that I was probably asleep!\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI usually unwind by around 11pm, so I do not check my phone then.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2    avia-builder-el-20  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Sources of Support<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we find ourselves having difficulty assisting those in distress, or we identify as a person in distress, feel free to access any of these resources:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindline.sg\/home\"><b>Mindline<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free access to self-help and educational resources<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Samaritans of Singapore (S.O.S) <\/b>&#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for those feeling suicidal<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call <em>1-767<\/em> (24-hour service)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Message them at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sos.org.sg\/contact-us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.sos.org.sg\/contact-us<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>CARE Singapore\u2019s Whatsapp Service<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call <em>6978 2728<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Available Monday to Friday<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Singapore Counselling Centre<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact:<\/span> <em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6225 5227<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li>Address: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bing.com\/local?lid=YN8162x5872218801962226184&#038;id=YN8162x5872218801962226184&#038;q=Credit+Counselling+Singapore&#038;name=Credit+Counselling+Singapore&#038;cp=1.3028593063354492%7e103.84019470214844&#038;ppois=1.3028593063354492_103.84019470214844_Credit+Counselling+Singapore\">51 Cuppage Road Orchard, S229469<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em>References:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[1] World Health Organisation. (2022). <em>World Mental Health Day 2022 &#8211; Make mental health &#038; well-being for all a global priority.<\/em> World Health Organisation. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/events\/detail\/2022\/10\/10\/default-calendar\/world-mental-health-day-2022---make-mental-health-and-well-being-for-all-a-global-priority\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/events\/detail\/2022\/10\/10\/default-calendar\/world-mental-health-day-2022&#8212;make-mental-health-and-well-being-for-all-a-global-priority<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[2] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022). <em>Warning Signs and Risk Factors for Emotional Distress. <\/em>SAMHSA. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/disaster-distress-helpline\/warning-signs-risk-factors\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.samhsa.gov\/find-help\/disaster-distress-helpline\/warning-signs-risk-factors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[3] Cuncic, A. (2022). <em>What is Active Listening?<\/em> verywellmind. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-active-listening-3024343\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-active-listening-3024343<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[4] <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pennsylvania Department of Health. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.pa.gov\/topics\/Documents\/Emergency%20Preparedness\/Nonverbal%20Cues%20-%20FEMA%20Effective%20Communication.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unit 6: Effective oral communication<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FEMA Effective Communication<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.pa.gov\/topics\/Documents\/Emergency%20Preparedness\/Nonverbal%20Cues%20-%20FEMA%20Effective%20Communication.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.health.pa.gov\/topics\/Documents\/Emergency%20Preparedness\/Nonverbal%20Cues%20-%20FEMA%20Effective%20Communication.pdf<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[5] Cox, J. (2022). <em>The Hidden Benefits of Silence.<\/em> PsychCentral. <a href=\"https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/blog\/the-hidden-benefits-of-silence#boosts-creativity\">https:\/\/psychcentral.com\/blog\/the-hidden-benefits-of-silence#boosts-creativity<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Apart from professional help, research has shown that people are generally more likely to turn to their loved ones and friends as the first line of support. As such, YOU play an important role in the facilitation of wellbeing for the people you love and care for! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":7619,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7602","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interesting-article","category-uncategorised"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Be An Effective Support - Singapore Counselling Centre<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Research has shown that people are more likely to turn to their loved ones as the first line of support. 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