The Courage to Ask for Help | 泽茜 刘 | TEDxWHHW Youth

Asking for help can feel harder than handling a problem alone. Drawing on a personal experience and psychological research, the speaker Susan looks at why people fear appearing weak, inconvenient or incompetent when they request support from others. The talk argues that accepting help is a normal part of being human rather than a failure of independence. The talk was given at a TEDx event, an independently organized local event that follows the TED conference format.

• Why asking for simple help can feel harder than solving a problem alone
• Fear of appearing weak, inconvenient or incompetent
• Accepting help as a fundamental part of being human
• Personal experience combined with psychological research

Sometimes, asking for four simple words—“Can you help me?”—can feel harder than solving the problem ourselves. Drawing on a personal experience and psychological research, Susan explores why we fear appearing weak, inconvenient, or incompetent when we ask others for support. Her message is a powerful reminder that accepting help is not a failure of independence, but a fundamental part of being human. I am currently the Vice President of the Student Union, where I have hosted numerous school events and honed my public speaking and leadership skills. Academically, I earned an overall score of 6.0 on my first IELTS test, demonstrating my English proficiency and ability to learn and adapt quickly. Beyond the classroom, I have also achieved outstanding results in equestrian sports, where I have developed discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility—qualities that shape how I approach both my studies and my role as a student leader. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx