It’s important to Talk, but even more important to Listen
Jane McNeice
Owner Director & Trainer at Mind Matters | i-ACT & MHFA Instructor | Mindful Employer Trainer | Suicide Intervention Trainer | Neurodiversity Trainer | Actually Autistic | Autism Ambassador & Speaker | Bestselling Author
Time to Talk day is a great opportunity to encourage the nation to be more open about mental health. We all have mental health, and from time to time we may all need support if our mental health isn’t as good as we’d like it to be. The first step in getting that support when we need it is to be able to reach out, express how we feel, and to express our need for support. But our reaching out needs to be heard. Time to Talk day is about sharing, talking, expressing thoughts, feelings, needs, but it’s so critically about listening – listening effectively and with empathy. There are so many challenges to effective listening in today’s environment – lack of time, technology, other interruptions - the list is endless. On 7th February (and every day) I urge those who engage in conversations about mental health to focus mostly on listening, listening without agenda, listening attentively, hearing with an open mind, and with the aim of remaining judgement free. Those who feel listened to, understood, not judged, and supported will remember this way beyond Time to Talk day.
May your Time to Talk day provide a human connection in time that continues beyond the 7th of February 2019.