We are often ungrateful for the many gifts that we enjoy. The materialistic growth of this world has made us greedy and selfish. It keeps us at arm’s length from satisfaction and makes us yearn for more. We gather these resources without realizing how we widen the gap between ourselves and the less privileged. Sparing a moment to think about them points out that the most precious, and perhaps the most neglected, gift we possess is our good health.
Everything else exists to elevate the standards of living, but health is something for survival. If you can hear, talk, see, have arms and limbs, and a sound mind, then congrats, you can lead a regular life. But unfortunately, fate is not so favorable to all of us. Some people are born with genetic disorders and mutations, while others develop them from environmental factors. Either way, they get to start the race of life from a little far behind the starting line. That not only means that they have to work harder and put in extra effort, but also that they require some support from us.
We can only offer to help them if we know what they are going through. And as it turns out, the vulnerabilities and disadvantages that we develop or inherit are vast. Some of these problems are more obvious because we can see them. However, there are health issues that we can’t see or imagine. An internal physical limitation does qualify for this category, but the more complex vulnerability is that of mind. People suffer through excruciating and agonizing experiences that affect their mental health. While the damage may be invisible, its effects are unrelenting. It leaves most individuals scarred for a lifetime.
It was until recently that general people, as well as authorities, realized the need to help them. Forensic social work became a popular field to empower them and share their cases in public to relieve them of their misery and challenges. Currently, it is the only profession besides paid psychiatrists that helps more people to regain their self-respect and enable them to move towards new beginnings.
Besides professional help, social workers also play a crucial role in this situation to help the mentally and physically challenged individuals. They raise this issue on an international platform and spread awareness to ensure that everyone learns the sensitivity of this problem. Thanks to them, people can address such situations effectively and have a basic knowledge of how to tend to these people. Their work is pivotal to the cause and encourages everyone to work for improving living standards others.
If you also wish to play a significant role in helping the vulnerable and disadvantaged people in your community, then here some essential steps that should help you achieve that.
1. IDENTIFY & DEFINE THEIR VULNERABILITY
The first step of dealing with any problem at all is to identify its nature. Only by understanding the concern, can we know how to help them. Many people suffer from physical disabilities, but the real issue that they face is isolation, which drives them to depression. It means that even though the problem appears to be physical, it’s mentally affecting a person.
By defining it so precisely, so you can choose the best course of action to help them overcome it. Depression due to limited interactions, for instance, can be dealt with by involving them in conversations and activities. That is why it is necessary to start with identifying the problem.
2. BE A GOOD LISTENER
In most cases, the people who have suffered from some trauma or dealing with vulnerability often only want to pour their hearts out. It’s best to lend them a good pair of listening ears. You might fail to realize or question what good can come out of listening to others, but you can never understand the comfort and satisfaction unless you step into their shoes. It means that listening is also a part of the process of helping them.
3. ACT, DON’T REACT
The biggest mistake that most enthusiastic people make while trying to help them is that they respond to their words. By doing so, they fail to grasp the emotion and unconsciously treat them like an abnormal person. It often makes them feel more out of place and helpless while struggling with their situation. That’s why you should act independently and comforts them as you would do for any regular person. That should shun their inhibitions and make them come out of their shells.
4. LEARN A LITTLE
Even if your intentions are pure, you can expect to gain nothing out of them unless you make an effort for it. In this case, you need to learn a little about people suffering from vulnerabilities and disadvantages. That should help you be more prepared and act appropriately in a relevant situation. Also, by educating yourself on it, you can choose to participate in social work and make a more noticeable difference in the life of people.
THE FINAL WORD
These are the key steps to follow as you try to help someone vulnerable, disadvantaged, and less privileged. Remember to sign up for this work, assuming it to be a means of giving back to society. That way, instead of despising the extra effort, you will feel that it is your due diligence to contribute to this cause in any way you can.
