How to be There for Someone who has Experienced a Trauma

When we have experienced the inconceivable, we feel devastated. Completely alone.

Life as we knew it has come to an end.

When we’re in this awful place we need those who’ll understand, and will stand close beside us, and stay, and hold our hand (metaphorically, if not literally).

If you want to give support, but you don’t know what to do, here are some suggestions to help you with this:

1. Validate the trauma. The most important thing, when you first reach out to help, is to acknowledge how shocking and terrible this is. It’s horrific, devastating, unimaginable news. No-one expects this to be part of their life. It came out of the blue, and feel impossible to process. The shock and the pain feel unbearable right now.

All of this might feel obvious to you at the time – but for the traumatized person, it is very reassuring…