Which term describes the actions taken by individuals to support each other?

The term that describes the actions taken by individuals to support each other is mutually aid. Mutual aid emphasizes the collaboration and reciprocal assistance among individuals or groups, where they come together to help one another based on shared needs or goals. This concept is grounded in the belief that people can come together to solve problems, provide support, and share resources, thus fostering a sense of community and solidarity.

In contrast, collaboration involves working together towards a common goal, often within structured environments or based on formal arrangements, but does not necessarily imply mutual assistance as a guiding principle. Advocacy refers to the efforts made to support or promote a cause, especially in relation to social justice or rights, and mediation involves a neutral third party facilitating a resolution between conflicting parties. Therefore, while all these terms relate to working together in some way, mutual aid specifically focuses on the reciprocal nature of support among individuals.