5 Ways to Help Other People in Need: From Compassion to Action

Date Published: August 19, 2024

Helping others is an important part of life, giving you a sense of purpose and boosting your happiness. In fact, acts of kindness can boost feelings of confidence, control, happiness, and optimism, says the Mental Health Foundation.

Supporting others has a positive effect on the world around you. Kind acts may also encourage others to repeat the good deeds they’ve experienced themselves, contributing to a more positive community.

If you want to help others more but aren’t sure where to start, look no further. Whether you’re looking for ways to help friends and family or give back to your community, keep reading for a list of ideas to get you started helping others.

1. Be proactive, not reactive.

Many lives are lost to health emergencies that could have been managed through learning lifesaving skills Knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid help in emergencies at home, in public, or at work by providing immediate care, reducing injury severity, promoting safety, providing reassurance, and increasing workplace safety.

Becoming trained in CPR and first aid is one of the best ways to support others and the community, helping others in need.

American Red Cross Training Services offers a variety of CPR and first aid training programs, which you can take online, in person, or in combination to help everyone, whether your neighbors, colleagues, family, or friends. Find a CPR and first aid training program that fits your schedule.

Benefits of Taking a CPR, AED or First Aid Course

Be prepared: Protect your loved ones

Be confident: Act with hands-on training

Peace of mind: Know how to handle emergencies

Help your community: Use lifesaving skills when needed

Take a CPR Class

2. Give your time.

The gift of time is valuable and satisfying. It also makes giving accessible since we don’t all have the same amount of money, but we all have the same amount of time.

Here are some ways to give your time and help people in need.

• Teach: Offer to teach friends and family members struggling with a skill you know well. Learn how to become a CPR Instructor! Teach people outside your social circle, too — try tutoring a student in math, for example, or showing your coworker how to use the office copier.
• Support: Be the first to offer condolences when someone you care about is suffering. Do what you can to comfort them, whether they need a hug, a shoulder to cry on, or a helping hand. Talk to them with empathy and compassion and ask if there is anything you can do to help.
• Listen: Not everybody seeks hands-on help or a solution to their problems; they might simply need to express their feelings while a supportive friend listens.
• Compliment: While giving compliments might not be what you traditionally picture when you think of helping people, it does help. Offer compliments to everyone around you, giving sincere praise while celebrating their successes and qualities you admire the most.
• Volunteer: Find a charity you’d like to support, like a shelter or soup kitchen, and spend time there doing whatever needs to be done. Not only will this help others, but it’ll also give you a newfound appreciation for all the good things in your life — and it’ll make you a more compassionate person.

3. Donate to a worthy cause.

Monetary donations are a great way to help others but aren’t the only way to donate to help those in need.

Here are a few ideas for donating to worthy causes and supporting others.

• Donate furniture and clothing to a local shelter.
• Donate unopened spices, canned soups, or beans to a local food bank.
• Donate toys to local shelters and food banks.
• Donate blood if you can.
• Donate the opportunity for holiday and birthday gifts. Ask friends and family to make donations to charities instead of getting you gifts.
• Donate your car.

4. Send a thoughtful note or care package.

Sometimes, helping others is as simple as letting them know that you care. When people feel isolated or cut off from their friends or family, even a small gesture can help them feel more connected and brighten their day.

• Send handwritten cards and even care packages with special treats inside.
• Write a friendly email or letter and casually mention why you like the recipient.

5. Express appreciation.

Receiving thanks is another way to help each other and help our community. Plus, showing gratitude not only helps others feel appreciated but makes you happier too!

• Express appreciation when someone does something nice for you. Let your loved ones know how much you appreciate them, even when there’s nothing specific to thank them for.
• Practice gratitude by creating a list of things you’re grateful for and sharing it with others.
• Share a social media post about how much you appreciate someone’s support as you change careers or tell a friend how proud you are that they ran a whole marathon.
• Compliment underappreciated people, like the person bagging your groceries or bussing your table at a restaurant.
• Thank frontline health workers and first responders.
• Be neighborly. Check on neighbors, especially those who live alone, are elderly, have health or mobility issues, or care for children.

Finally, helping other people should not equal a guilt trip. We have all felt the dread that comes from being coerced into helping others. When considering ways to help others, think about what you have excess — time, money, or unused items — and how that may help others in need.

Now that you have the tools and inspiration to help others, it's time to put them into action. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world!