Finding support and help is essential for a person in challenging times. Where do residents of Russia seek assistance?

Where Russians seek support and help in times of challenges

The All Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (WCIOM.ru) asked locals where they seek support in challenging times and whether they have ever applied to a specialist for assistance.

Apparently, 90% of grownups in Russia never sought professional help from a psychologist or a mental health specialist, although 16% of people reported having a specialist of this profile at work and 5% of respondents have such ability at their place of study, so they would be able to obtain assistance free of charge.

Most often Russians seek assistance and advice of their family members: 66% of people chose this option in the poll. 30% of respondents asked their friends to help.

It seems that talking about problems in life with a specialist such as a life coach or a psychologist is not a very popular option.

Help from the special someone

Surprisingly, seeking assistance from the “beloved” isn’t a very popular option either: Only 18% of respondents said they do it regularly.

3% of respondents would also ask neighbours or acquaintances for assistance and 4% ask their colleagues at work. Government’s social services are the place where only 2% of survey participants would look for help.

1% of respondents also reported looking at such sources as Internet forums. The same share of people seeks solace in drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco.

Psychologists or psychotherapist are seen as a source of potential support by 1% — this is a ridiculously low number, if we take in consideration the fact of presence of a specialist that would consult free of charge at every fifth place of work or study. Among young people aged 18-24 it is 5% of respondents that asked for a professional assistance in challenging times, as compared to the general population. 3% of youngsters also apply to government’s social services. Younger people are also more likely to apply to the partner (27% vs. 18% among all respondents).

Data: WCIOM.ru

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