We all know someone who is struggling with a problem, and we may think we know how to help - but, do we? This book offers help in such dilemmas by providing the combined advice of a relationship psychologist and the Samaritans to show how to support people. The style is simple, compassionate and humorous.

2008-04-21 Very helpful and comprehensive guide to helping those in crisis

This is a really practical guide which gives helpful advice on a much wider range of issues than simply how to help someone. Offering help, support or advice to a person in crisis is a serious responsiblity to take on and the authors make sure that the reader is aware of this, guiding them through sections on how to know when something is wrong, how to know whether or not you are qualified to help, how to help, and when to know that it is time to accept that the problem is beyond your help or control and experts must be called in.

Specific examples are used of different ways in which a listener might respond to another person's problem, along with the responses of the person with the problem to the feedback they are given. This helps the reader to understand the different ways of approaching somebody in trouble and how important it is to do this in the right way, as well as the impact different responses may have. This is extremely important in highlighting the Samaritan's golden rule that listening is one of the most powerful tools to support others, and that they shouldn't have advice or orders forced upon them just because they are in trouble - often they just need to be listened to in a safe non-judgemental environment until they can decide for themselves what action is best to take.

There is an in depth exploration of various high-risk life stages, and particular crises to look out for, and the in depth advice is broken up with more compact helpful hints on the 'secrets of helping'. Other really useful sections include one highlighting common minefields for helpers to look out for, and even a section on how to cope when you're no longer needed by the person you have been supporting.

It is very important to be aware that reading this book does not qualify you as a counsellor or a samaritan, and useful contacts such as the Samaritans themselves are listed at the back of the book to pass on to those who are in crisis and need professional aid.