World Mental Health Day: The Importance of Connecting
October 7, 2022
Becky Towns, one of our Mental Health & Wellbeing Champions, explores the importance of connecting on our Mental Health.
This year, the theme of World Mental Health Day (on 10 October) is about making mental health and wellbeing a global priority for all.
The aim is for everyone working together, supporting each other to continue to break down stigmas and discrimination, which unfortunately are still barriers to social inclusion and access to the right care for people.
Now more than ever, it’s understandable that while we move to a more optimistic place since the pandemic began, people are naturally still worried. Not only about Covid and the impact that has had, but everything that’s happened since, including the Ukraine war and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Therefore, it’ll be no surprise that adapting to things post-Covid has left people worried, maybe feeling a heightened sense of anxiety and stress, especially with the cost-of-living crisis, and specifically worrying about the financial impact on themselves and their families as they try to figure out what the coming months look like.
These multiple factors will have affected people in different ways. And though people may say we’re all in the same boat, that’s not necessarily the case. Everyone has gone – and is continuing to go through – things unique to them; their situation, their coping mechanisms and what support they have around them. This is a key thing to remember when supporting someone who has, or is, struggling.
So the ability to reconnect through World Mental Health Day 2022 offers a valuable opportunity to get talking, and making steps to protect and improve mental health and wellbeing for all.
And for me, as a Mental Health & Wellbeing Champion, I’m a big advocate in the power of talking and importantly, the positive impact that connecting with others and actively listening can have on someone.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I always find that after a cuppa and crack with someone, when you’re talking something through, getting something off your chest or just trying to explain how you feel, you come away feeling in a better mood. It may not always resolve any problem(s)/change any situation(s) straight away, but it’s good just to have had that chat – making small steps to improve our mental health and wellbeing.
Which is why I wanted to take the opportunity to talk a little about what, on a personal level, I see are two key practical and proactive foundations in helping us connect with others to better support them:
- Talking
- Listening
Conversation tips
It’s no secret that talking is one of the key things when it comes to supporting mental health.
But just starting a conversation is often not easy, even with someone who has reached out to you for support – it may be that they just can’t find the words to kick-start the conversation.
There are no right or wrong things to say here, but the best advice is to just be you.
Be open, non-judgemental, and importantly, don’t try to force any conversations (which will be harder if the conversation is not in person).
If you have to, let the person be quiet for a while if they’re finding it hard to get started.
Just reassure them you’re there and ready to listen when they need it.
Image from Mental Health First Aid England Click to visit their website for more resources
There are some tips in this link to help get you started with a conversation
Active listening tips
Active listening is all about letting the person know you’re engaged with them, even if you’re initially not doing any speaking and just waiting for them to let you know how they’re feeling.
- Ask open-ended questions
- Clarify responses
- Be attentive (respond to verbal and non-verbal ques)
- Be aware of body language (if not face to face, listen out for any shuffling/distractions that may be stopping someone from being fully engaged with you)
- Ask probing questions (but appreciate if someone wants to stop talking)
- Show you’re always listening (responsive gestures/sounds)
- Always be kind
Though if we’re being really honest with ourselves, can we always say we’re actively listening, and do we always hear when someone needs that extra support, even when they may be saying nothing?
Whether looking for verbal or non-verbal signs, all of this can help make a positive difference to someone. Especially when supporting their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
This may feel much more difficult since Covid as we’ve got used to not seeing people face to face, but the principles still apply and, thanks to technology, there are so many ways we can still connect face to face on a virtual level, if that’s what people feel comfortable with. And I’m sure we’ve all found various different ways during the crisis that worked for us to stay connected.
TOP TIP: Now more than ever, making that time to connect is massively important. Stick something in the diary, a regular catch up. When it comes to body language if it’s a virtual face to face, listen out for noises in the background; is there lots of uncomfortable shuffling or is the person getting easily distracted by the environment they are in?
Where to find support
With everything that has gone on, and continuing uncertainty, it can be difficult to adjust.
The vital thing here is to look after yourself, your friends and family. And importantly, look out for any changes in the behaviour of those around you, which may highlight that they need additional support.
Have they stopped connecting with you? Have they become more withdrawn? Do they just not seem like themselves? Which is an odd thing to say during all that’s going on, but are there any noticeable changes that you’re concerned about? If so, try and have a chat with them.
If this has got you thinking and you or someone you know needs extra support, there are lots of great resources out there.
Here are just a couple that you may find useful to get started:
