3 Minutes Read
How to Be There for Someone With Anxiety – And Where to Turn for Support
From the desk of Kristín Einarsdóttir Scobie, CCO – Kara Connect
Whether you’re a colleague, a leader, a friend, or a family member, chances are someone in your life is struggling with anxiety – often silently.
At Kara Connect, we work closely with professionals across Europe who support individuals navigating everything from day-to-day stress to more persistent anxiety. As we continue building bridges between wellbeing and the workplace, it’s clear that many people want to help others – they just don’t always know how.
So this month, we’re sharing some of the best insights from mental health professionals – including those on our platform – to guide you in offering meaningful support. And if you or someone you know needs professional help, our Wellbeing Hubs are here to connect you directly with trusted experts.
6 Ways to Help Someone With Anxiety
(And What Support Is Available Through Kara Connect)
1. Listen to understand, not to fix
Instead of jumping in with advice or solutions, start by truly hearing what the person is saying. Reflect back what you’re hearing. It can sound like:
“It makes sense that you’re feeling overwhelmed —-this situation would be a lot for anyone.”
Reflective listening shows empathy and builds trust. Many Kara Connect professionals use this technique in their first sessions with clients to build rapport.
2. Help them challenge “worst-case” thinking
Anxiety often magnifies fear. You can gently support someone by asking:
“What else might be true here?”
“Has this happened before, and how did you get through it?”
💡 Several psychologists on Kara Connect specialize in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is highly effective in managing this kind of anxious thinking.
3. Use calming or grounding techniques
Deep breathing, walking, or even a short distraction (like counting all the blue things in the room) can reduce panic in the moment.
🌿 Our Wellbeing Hubs also offer mindfulness resources and coaching for grounding techniques — accessible anytime, from anywhere.
4. Avoid “toxic positivity”
Telling someone “it’ll all work out” can feel invalidating. Instead, acknowledge that what they’re feeling is real:
“That sounds really tough. I’m here with you.”
💬 Validation is a cornerstone of psychological safety. It’s a big part of the training and approach used by our wellbeing providers.
5. Break it down into small, manageable steps
Big, uncertain futures feel overwhelming to someone with anxiety. Help them identify one small thing they can do today. Think:
“What’s one step we could take to feel a bit more in control?”
📈 Kara Connect coaches can help clients create SMART goals – turning worry into action in a supportive way.
6. Encourage professional support
Supporting someone is important – but it’s not all on you. Ask open-ended questions to gently explore therapy as an option:
“What do you imagine life could be like if this anxiety felt more manageable?”
🌐 The Kara Connect Wellbeing Hub gives both you and your team direct, confidential access to professionals across Europe, in multiple languages, for mental health, coaching, financial wellbeing, legal support, and more.
Let’s Normalize Asking for Help
Supporting someone with anxiety starts with presence, not perfection. And no one needs to do this alone — not the person struggling, and not the one supporting them. That’s why we built Kara Connect.
If you’re not sure where to start, our Wellbeing Hubs are designed to be simple, private, and people-first. Reach out. Our experts are here to help.
