Bryan HayA recent survey conducted by RedArc highlights the importance of professional support during times of illness, trauma, or bereavement. According to the findings, 77% of respondents valued the opportunity to talk to someone outside their immediate circle of family and friends the most.
Other significant aspects appreciated by those who sought professional support included awareness of available resources and entitlements, such as employee benefits, valued by 64% of participants, and the ability to access appropriate therapy or services in a timely manner, valued by 62%.
Christine Husbands, commercial director at RedArc, emphasised the therapeutic benefit of speaking with an impartial, clinically trained professional. “When people talk to family and friends, it can be complicated, and the person suffering is often unable to fully share how they are feeling because they feel the need to protect the listener. Being able to talk openly is invaluable as well as therapeutic, when the listener is not only an impartial professional, but also clinically trained.”
The survey also pointed to the increasing difficulty in accessing primary care services, underscoring the importance of clinical expertise in managing health issues. While family and friends provide essential social support, the complexities of health issues often necessitate professional guidance to tailor support to specific needs and circumstances.
Husbands concluded, “We know that talking is good for people, it can bring huge comfort to an individual, but it is vital that the person doing the listening is the right person. Well-meaning family and friends can sometimes do more damage than good, they are unlikely to have expertise on specific health or medical conditions, people need to talk to the right professional to get advice and support relevant to them.”
