Why Moral Support is Just as Meaningful as Material Support

One of the most important gifts we receive as social beings is moral support from family, friends, and colleagues.

Whether you’re experiencing a challenge in your personal life, working towards an achievement, or dealing with a work issue, kind words or an offer of help give you strength to move forward.

As humans, we depend on each other. And while material support can be critical in the short-term, the feelings of worthiness and acceptance you receive when someone chooses to encourage you or stand with you in a situation will last a lifetime.

Giving Materially

Material support is a necessity. Difficult times can drop in on anyone and when this happens, help is appreciated. During COVID-19 times many people are reaching out to help others materially, in forms such as shopping for another, bringing food, or providing financial assistance directly.

Whatever you provide is certainly a stabilizing factor in the midst of a hardship. Which is why the feeling of security created from knowing that someone was there to meet a need, is actually a form of moral support.

Your generosities communicate your caring. Isn’t the fact that we matter something we all want to know?

Supportive Situations

When you give moral support, you help encourage a person, family, or group in whatever crisis or unhealthy state of being they are in. When confidence is brightened, a sense of hope returns and morale increases. As the general sense of well-being restores, solution and progress become possible.

When you believe in the work of a person, group, or positive cause, you can offer support by standing with them and advocating for them. Speaking up for someone is a way of saying you believe they are doing the right things or are on the right track. When a person has lost a work position, reminding them of their qualifications is confirming.

Even in situations when you may be limited in providing any type of support, simply showing kindness and observing the etiquette-ful rules of courtesy and respect could be just the boost a family member, friend, or colleague needs to move towards the next best thing.

How to Give Moral Support

While it really does boil down to showing courtesy and respect, an offer of assistance requires sensitivity. You want to avoid being condescending or intrusive.

But at the same time, you want the person to know that you are there and can be depended upon to help see him or her through the difficulty being faced.

Here are some etiquette-ful tips that may help you meet this criteria:

Listen without prying.
When initiating an approach to help, simply ask if anything’s up. The person may reply, “Why do you ask?” allowing you to lead into the conversation. “Destiny, I noticed you haven't been posting on social media, so I'm reaching out to see if you need anything.”
If someone indicates having a conversation would be nice, arrange to meet-up for a virtual coffee break, or if the local coffee shop is now open, you might decide to meet there.
When making an impromptu telephone call, ask if it is a good time to talk.
Depending on the level and type of relationship you have, what constitutes “moral support” may vary.
Make the conversation moments count by being mindful, present, and relaxed.
Unless you are specifically asked, don't give advice.

If you feel someone may be in trouble or have a need, don’t ignore your hunch. Many people won’t ask for help. Unfortunately, by holding back, you could be keeping that person from receiving needed support. A little kindness will go a long way.