Activity: Identify the practical and personal barriers that keep you from getting the support you need
What is keeping you from getting more support? What has been in the way?

It’s not always easy to get the support you need. You may face challenges to receiving support that may be both practical and personal. Transportation, financial insecurity, uncertainty about how to apply for help, visual or hearing problems, physical disability, a lack of technology, or the need for language translation services can all be barriers.

 

You may need extra help finding support if you don’t have family nearby, if you recently moved, if you have few connections, or if you are a different ethnic or have a different language background from those offering services. 

How you think can also keep you from getting help. Some people are brought up that asking for help is a weakness. You may not know help exists or think nothing will make a difference. Some survivors think that others need support more than they do. Keep a positive attitude about reaching out to others. It’s important to remember that victim services serve everyone.

Are there practical reasons that make it hard to get the help you need?

Many local services are offered on line. In some cases, travel costs are included in victim compensation. Could you ask someone to take you to an appointment?

You may be eligible for free counseling and legal help or compensation for child care. See your local Victim Services Professional. Your local community may have resources you can find by calling 311.

Your local law enforcement office usually has a Victim Services Professional on staff. They can guide you to local services. For more information on Victim Services go here.

Your local library may have computers you can use and someone to help you look for services. Do you know anyone who has a computer who will help you find what you need? It is ok to ask for help to find what you need.
Are there personal reasons you may not ask for help?

Do any of these thoughts keep you from asking for help? Click on the thought to see another way of looking at getting support.

You may be doing well on your own. That’s good. Sometimes, though, months later, you may feel like you could use a boost or even a special trauma counselor. It is never too late to ask for help.

Recovery from a very stressful event can be difficult to do alone. Trying to go it alone may mean a much longer recovery time. Show strength by asking for help when you need it.

Nothing will miraculously make everything better. Recovery is a slow, step by step journey with progress and setbacks. Having good social support around you makes that journey easier. Specialized trauma treatments have been shown to reduce trauma reactions. Counseling, joining others for events, or simply spending time with people you care about can make it better.

Have others offered to help? Friends and family may want to shoulder the burden with you. Seeking out and receiving help could strengthen your relationships and bring you closer.

Many people may not be able to fully understand what you are going through. The more you talk about how you are feeling, the more they can be helpful. Even if they never “get it,” they can still support you in other ways. Perhaps it’s just by spending time with you and offering a sense of companionship. Other survivors may offer peer support that is meaningful.

Getting help for yourself doesn’t take away from others’ care. In fact, it can make you better able to support others. There’s plenty of support to go around, so it’s important to take care of yourself to prevent any difficulties you’re having from getting worse.

Some people may not have a large support network, or those connections may not be able to help in the ways you need. You can ask a Victim Service Professional in your community to help you connect with those who can help. Go ­here to help find community resources.

Getting support is important. It is ok to ask for what you need. See the How to Ask module for tips on ways to approach the subject.

If people are not able to help at that time or are not able to help at all, ask if they know someone who might. Simplify what you are asking for. Do not take it personally. Try someone else.

Talking with a Victim Service Professional may help you understand common reactions and needs. Victim Service Professionals can also steer you to those who specialized in the area you need.

It is common to feel tired and discouraged. Start with small steps. Getting more support will help you get started on what is needed for you to feel better.

Victim compensation funds usually cover the cost of counseling, medical needs, and more. Contact your Victim Service Professional for help applying for money to cover certain expenses.

Feeling guilty about what you did or did not do is a common reaction even though the blame is not on the victims and survivors. Focus the blame on the person who harmed others. Your reactions are yours and you deserve support.