How can I help people online in need?

Listen to them, allow them to vent, do not take it personally. Have resources available to offer them. Be aware that they may not be looking for direct help, sometimes they just need to vent. Do not forget your own self care and to remind them of their own as well.

Be the ear that they need. Sometimes that is all it takes... Just someone to listen. Everyone has felt at some point in their lives that they wish they had a larger support system or just one person to share with. Regardless if its work related, family, or personal issues. Talking about them will reduce the amount of stress guaranteed.

People online can often be helped just by being an active listener. Sometimes, people will ask if you know where they could go for professional help, or what techniques they could use to reduce the urge to self-harm, and that's where I typically enlist the help of Google and it's brilliant list of search results. Remember to ask first if they would like your help in finding resources as some will already have an idea of what will help them. Most importantly, if someone is in need of more serious help, or help you're not qualified to give, make sure to send them to the right place immediately! Talk of suicide can be very serious and you need to make sure you member/guest speaks with someone right away to get the help necessary. Google helps me to quickly find the right hotline to refer my members/guests to. Don't be scared to ask for clarification either, or if you feel there's another listener that can better help out, offer to refer your guest. There's no shame in that! Everyone is experienced in their own fields and some of us specialize in relationships while others specialize in work related stress. Listeners can be just as diverse as our members/guests. Keep it fun, safe, and do your best!

Honestly, just letting someone know that you're there goes a long way. Letting them know you're there, and just lending an ear is all anyone can ask for, especially in those vulnerable states when we think we need advice, but in reality we just want to get it off our chest and suddenly, we can exhale and think about it clearly.

helping someone online can work when you give them methods or guidelines of how to go about certain things. Also by allowing them to share their stories with you and providing the best possible way of how to deal with things or what they think would be best for them at this point in their lives.

By being a listener and listening to others problems and getting in touch with their emotions you can potentially save a life or help someone in need.

We can help people online by being understanding and empathetic. We might not have always been in the persons situation but we can always try to put our self in the other persons shoes. If they feel understood and know that we care then they will hopefully feel happier, supported and less alone in tackling their problems :)

Listen. We are so used to replying immediately, to composing 140 character retorts. It's just as (if not more) important to actually take the time to hear what people are truly saying. They will thank you for it, and you will thank yourself for it.

Well, if you're interested, you've certainly come to the right place! 7 Cups is a wonderful place where you can help people out online as a trained, active listener. Take it from me-- I am one. (;

Sometimes we spend our lives trying to find that support we need during harsh phases of our lives... online chatting is a boon in such cases. we keep thinking if we would be judged if we tell our family or friends. but here we can express ourselves without the fear of being judged. people care and are kind on online chatting support forums, sometimes more than ones around us...