An Initiative of the Tasmanian Government
Stayingconnected:
Social support and wellbeing
Are there people in your life you can turn to when you need to talk to someone? Is there someone who can help when your car breaks down or you need someone to pick up the kids? Who do you call to share good news or something great happens?
Having a social support network is often mentioned as being good for health and wellbeing, but what exactly is a social support network and why are they so important?
Simply put, social support refers to having a network or group of people in your life that you can turn to in times of difficulty, or just for fun and entertainment. These connections can help us achieve our goals, help us through difficult times by providing emotional comfort and support, or encourage us to take action. It may consist of family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, professionals, and can also include pets.
Different people in your life provide different kinds of support:
Why is social support so important?
Research has demonstrated the link between social relationships and many different aspects of health and wellbeing, with social support identified as a key source of psychological health.
The Beyond Blue “Answering the Call” survey found that levels of social support and the quality of personal relationships were positively related to mental health and wellbeing and were among primary indicators of wellbeing. It found that:
- Those with strong social support mechanisms reported higher levels of wellbeing;
- Those with higher levels of social support reported lower levels of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, even if they were affected by traumatic events;
- Levels of support in the workplace are also key to recovery. Having connections with a network of others provides a range of opportunities and benefits. Social support networks provide meaningful interactions, and have positive impacts on self-esteem, coping effectiveness, depression, distress and sense of wellbeing. They provide a sense of belonging and offer opportunities for engagement in social and cultural roles.
Our support networks can encourage and motivate us to engage in healthy choices and behaviours, improve our motivation and give us the strength to carry on through difficult times. Because of their influence, they also prompt greater involvement in a wider range of activities related to better physical and psychological recovery.
Emergency services and social supports
In the Beyond Blue, ‘Answering the Call’ survey our people reported a preference for dealing with problems themselves or debriefing informally with colleagues, family and friends.
Camaraderie and loyalty are key features of working in emergency services roles, which foster social connections. Emergency services workers will often debrief with each other as a way of relieving stress and making sense of their work, due to their shared experiences and understanding. These common experiences and the opportunity to share with others helps maintain social supports in the workplace, and can help people feel understood.
Asking for or accepting help can be difficult, and given the unique nature of emergency services work, sometimes it can be difficult to fully use our support networks. Shift patterns can impact the ability to participate in social events as much as we would like, thereby missing opportunities to connect with others. It is also common for people to not want to expose their loved ones to the details of their work, or to not want them to worry. In addition, the role comes along with certain perceptions or an identity that is defined by being seen as competent, strong, resilient and able to solve one’s own problems.
You might be all of these things, but friends and family often want to feel they have been able to support or do something for you. Effective relationships and communication rely on principles of reciprocity, where we exchange things (information, feelings, care) with other people. So whilst it may be helpful not to overexpose your loved ones to traumatic details, you can still talk about how you are impacted, and how you are thinking and feeling about things. This allows for better communication and support, and lets your loved one feel they can be effective and play an active role in your support.
It is important to remember that social support is not a one way street – as well as relying on others, you are also a support to people in your life. Accepting support can help you, and can help your relationships with others.
Do I have enough social support?
While some people maintain the same social supports over long periods of time, others may make changes to their networks. This might be because they don’t have enough support, there is a change in lifestyle (for example parenthood, divorce or relocation), the need for a like-minded community, or the need for more specialised knowledge or expertise.
A good first step is to recognise those you already have around you. Create a list of people in your life and the strengths/supports they offer or provide you.
To help you do this, think about the types of supports described above and consider the following:
- Who in your life would you ask for practical help if you were sick?
- Who would you seek out for guidance and information?
- Who would you turn to for comfort and emotional support?
- Who do you engage in hobbies or social time with?
How can I improve my social support network?
If you think you could put some effort into expanding your social support, here are some tips:
- Get out with your pet (or your neighbour’s pet). Go for a walk or to a dog park, and talk to other owners
- Work out – group classes or clubs bring like-minded people together
- Do lunch – ask someone to have lunch that you haven’t spent much time with recently
- Volunteer or join a cause – this may bring you in contact with people who have similar values
- Pick up a hobby or take a class – try new activities to expose yourself to different people
- Online resources – find social networking and interest groups on subjects that interest you. Look for Good Karma Networks on Facebook or Meetup, where you can find events and local groups to try new things or do more of what you enjoy.
Maintaining your existing support network:
If you want to maintain your support network or think you could be utilising it better:
- Let important people in your life know that you appreciate them
- Spend time to nurture your relationships and your support network will be more effective
- Stay in touch
- Sometimes you might be doing the supporting, other times you may be requiring support – be available when you are needed
- Be willing to ask for/accept help
- Support other’s successes
- Keep the lines of communication open
- Respect the needs and limits of others
Robert Wicks, Author of ‘Embracing Compassion and Hope in a Troubled World’ provides a unique insight into a self-care philosophy and the importance of having a support network in his short clip ‘The Necessity of Self-Care”. Take a look.
Self-Care in 3 minutes by Professor Robert Wicks
References
Berkman, L.F. and Glass, T. (2000) Social integration, social networks, social support and health. In: Berkman, L.F. and Kawachi, I., Eds., Social Epidemiology, Oxford University Press, New York, 158-162.
Beyond Blue
Stansfeld S., A. Social support and social cohesion. In: Marmot M, Wilkinson RG, editors. Social Determinants of Health. 2. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2006. pp. 148–171.
Breier, A., & Strauss, J.S. (1984). The role of social relationships in the recovery from psychotic disorders. Am J Psychiatry, Aug; 141(8):949-55.
Onken, S.J., Craig, C.M., Ridgway, P., Ralph, R.O., & Cook, J. (2007). An analysis of the definitions and elements of recovery: A review of the literature. Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Summer; 31(1):9-22.
