How to build a support network during difficult times

Difficult times have a way of making people feel isolated, even when they’re surrounded by others. Whether you’re navigating a loved one’s serious illness, end-of-life decisions, grief, or emotional uncertainty, having a strong support network can make a meaningful difference. Support doesn’t remove pain, but it can make the weight easier to carry.

At MAID Family Support Society, we see every day how vital connection, understanding, and shared experience are during life’s most challenging moments. Building a support network isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about not having to face uncertainty alone.

Why a support network matters

When life feels overwhelming, isolation often intensifies stress, fear, and confusion. A support network provides:

• Emotional validation during moments of uncertainty
• Practical help when decision-making feels exhausting
• Perspective from people who have walked similar paths
• A sense of belonging when everything feels unfamiliar

Research consistently shows that people with strong social support experience better emotional resilience during periods of crisis, illness, and grief. Support networks don’t need to be large; they just need to be reliable and compassionate.

Start by acknowledging you need support

One of the hardest steps is admitting that you can’t do everything on your own. Many people feel pressure to “stay strong” or protect others from their emotions.

In reality, vulnerability is often the gateway to meaningful support.

Recognizing that you need help is not a failure. It’s a sign of self-awareness and strength. Difficult times are not meant to be endured in isolation.

Identify the types of support you need

Support can take many forms, and different people may meet different needs. Consider what kind of help would be most valuable right now:

• Emotional support: Someone who listens without judgment
• Informational support: Guidance from people with lived or professional experience
• Practical support: Help with appointments, meals, errands, or logistics
• Peer support: Connection with others who truly understand your situation

Being clear about your needs makes it easier for others to show up in meaningful ways.

Lean on trusted people in your life

Friends, family members, chosen family, or colleagues may already want to help. They just may not know how. Opening up can feel uncomfortable, but honest conversations often deepen relationships rather than burden them.

You don’t need to share everything with everyone. Start with one or two people you trust and let the support grow naturally.

Seek out peer support and community resources

Sometimes the most powerful support comes from people who have lived through similar experiences. Peer support creates space for understanding without explanation.

Organizations like MAID Family Support Society offer peer-to-peer support grounded in compassion, lived experience, and respect for personal choice. These spaces allow individuals and families to speak openly, ask questions, and feel less alone in complex situations.

Community-based supports can include:

• Peer support groups
• Volunteer-led listening services
• Non-judgmental educational resources
• One-to-one support connections

These services are especially helpful when friends or family members don’t fully understand what you’re facing.

Set healthy boundaries around your energy

Building a support network doesn’t mean engaging with everyone all the time. During difficult periods, emotional energy can be limited.

It’s okay to:

• Take breaks from conversations that feel overwhelming
• Limit advice-giving from people who don’t respect your boundaries
• Say no without explanation

Healthy support should feel grounding, not draining.

Allow your support network to change over time

Support needs evolve. Someone who was helpful early on may become less relevant later, and new supports may appear unexpectedly. This is normal.

Give yourself permission to adjust your network as circumstances change. What matters most is that the people and resources around you continue to align with your needs and values.

Support can be professional too

In addition to personal and peer support, professional guidance can be an important part of your network. Social workers, counsellors, spiritual care providers, and trained volunteers offer structured, confidential support during emotionally complex times.

Professional support is not a last resort – it’s a proactive way to care for your mental and emotional well-being.

You don’t have to do this alone

Difficult times can make the world feel smaller, but support has a way of gently expanding it again. Whether your network is one trusted person or a combination of peers, professionals, and community organizations, connection matters.

At MAID Family Support Society, we believe everyone deserves compassionate, informed, and non-judgmental support during life’s hardest moments. Building a support network is not about finding certainty. It’s about finding care, understanding, and human connection when you need it most.

If you or someone you love is navigating uncertainty and could benefit from peer support, education, or connection, we’re here to help.

Support is not weakness. It’s how we endure, together.

 

Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash