FAC T SHEET FOR PROVIDERS

A Health Campaign of Uniformed Services University, www.usuhs.edu, and theCenter for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Bethesda, Maryland, www.CSTSonline.org

Asking for Help:

Facilitating Important Behaviors for Healthand Family Function
Professionals in healthcare and family“asking for help” becomes more complex
Professionals in healthcare andas many adults question if they will besupport frequently encounter individuals
who need, but do not know how to ask
seen as weak, incompetent, or a burdenfamily support frequently encounteron others.
for help. When people have difficulty
individuals
whoneed,butdonotService members and families must
asking for help, manageable issues can go
be encouraged to ask for help in order to
unaddressed and eventually require moreknow how to ask for help.
access and utilize valuable and availablecare. Asking for help and doing so in atimely manner can positively impact thesupport services. This Courage to Carefact sheet provides a 4-step model and sound bites to help
delivery of health care and enhance individual and family
well being.
educate about and facilitate asking for help behaviors
that fosters a partnering for health, prevention, and early
Asking for help is a skill we learn as a child. We learn
to politely ask for help, communicate what we need, andintervention.
thank the individual who has helped us. As we get older,
Asking for Help: A Model for Facilitating Positive
Patient/Client Interactions
The following, four-step model can facilitate effective
asking for help behavior. These steps are applicable in othersituations including seeking spiritual support, help withdaily activities, childcare, talking with teachers, coaches,etc.
1. Identify the Most Immediate Needs
2. Clarify the Need
3. Discuss an Action Plan
4. Act to Address the Need
■ Identify the Most Immediate Needs: This is often

the most challenging task for individuals seeking help.
Many needs may be expressed making it difficult todetermine what is most important. There may also be anabsence of expressed needs, which may require asking
directly: “How can I be of help?’ ‘What do you feel is themost important thing that needs to get done?’ or ‘Whatcan I do to help you right now?’■ Clarify the Need: Often thought of as the real planningstage, this is an opportunity to help the person be more
specific about his/her needs and thus empower them.

‘What is it about the assignment that’s difficult?’ or‘Tell me more about how your sleep could be better?
The person asking for help may, for the first time, beexpressing such need in detail, which can help them
formulate a plan and consider what may be required(e.g., time, other people, money, etc.), and if it isrealistic.
■ Discuss an Action Plan: ‘Discuss’ is the key word —collaboratively think of ways to help. Resist the urge toimpose a plan if there is resistance. Remember the planof action has to be acceptable and doable by the person
asking for help.

■ Act to Address the Need: This is the final, importantpart in helping and, if successful, can facilitate ‘asking
for help’ behavior. This involves doing your part to fulfill
the action plan, but can also offer the opportunity forfollow-up and feedback.

Sound Bites that Address Barriers to Asking for Help
These questions and comments may encourage
individuals to ask for help.
■ How may I be of help to you today?
■ It’s important to ask for help before anger andfrustration make things worse.

Continued

■ Asking for help is seen as strength. It shows you knowwhat you need and how to get it done.

■ It’s okay to ask for help. Most individuals like being

asked to be of help; it gives them an opportunity toprovide their knowledge or their assistance.
■ Has this visit been of help to you today?

Courage to Care is a health promotion campaign of Uniformed Services University
and its Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS). CSTS is the academic
arm and a partnering Center of the Defense Centers of Excellence (DCoE) for
Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org