Tips for Family & Friends

• Listen carefully
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• Offer your assistance and a listening ear even if they have not asked for help
  
  
• Reassure them that they are safe
  
  
• Help them with everyday tasks like cleaning, caring for the family or preparing a meal
  
  
• Give them some private time
  
  
• Don’t take their anger or other feelings personally
  
  
• Don’t tell them that they are “lucky it wasn’t a lot worse”… traumatized people are not consoled by this type of statement. Instead, share with them that you are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and assist/support them
  
  
• Create an environment that feels safe to share in if the person chooses to talk about aspects of an incident that has happened; being careful not to force an issue
  
  
• Save probing and/or “curious” questions for a later time and appropriate place
  
  
• Don’t try to analyze the behaviors that may become apparent
  
  
• Acceptance and support are two key elements of providing comfort
  
  
• Don’t be in too much of a hurry to make major schedule changes on someone else’s behalf
  
  
• Appreciate that another person’s physical presence, even though nothing is said, can be comforting
  
  
• Don’t be afraid of silence. Companionship can be experienced as a form of support when people are silent together
  
  
• A sensitive touch, a caring embrace or someone to sit quietly beside may also be supportive as individuals sift through some of their own issues
  
  
• People experience trauma and cope with its aftermath in different ways. Respect this!
  
  
• Respect alternative perspectives—and perhaps a new way of doing things that may serve to empower those most impacted by a traumatic event
  
  
• Protect from intrusions, mass media and sensationalists