“Keep being there, keep listening”

As we move away from Bell Let’s Talk Day, 26 Jan 2022, we reflect back on this year’s themes; “Keep being there, keep talking.” “Keep listening, keep talking.” and think, how do we keep mental health at the forefront of the conversation? In Health Promotion, we often think about this on a day-to-day basis and the importance of providing an opportunity for people to ask for help and also for all of us to practice our skills to recognize when people need help.

For everyone who identifies with the “Keep being there, keep listening” please find below a list of tools that can help you when you are being a support person during a conversation:

Bell Let’s Talk Mental Health Pocketbook: (for your printable version please visit: https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/toolkit)

To have a supportive conversation, remember the EARS acronym:
– Engage and open a conversation.
– Actively listen and encourage self-expression.
– Refer to resources and ask how you can help.
– Stay in touch and follow up.
Engage and Open a Conversation:
– Find a private space to talk and keep the other person’s comfort level in mind.
– Show that you care by asking open-ended questions that help to generate more than one-word responses.
– Example: I know (acknowledge something that is happening in their life). How are things with that?
Actively listen and encourage self-expression:
– Your goal is to listen and let the other person do most of the talking.
– Here are some examples:
– Continue to use open-ended question or phrases. I hear you. How is that impacting your day to day?
– Summarize what they tell you in your own words. If I understand correctly. . . .
– Validate the person’s experiences and emotions. That sounds difficult. You have every right to feel that way.
– Stay attuned to the person’s mood and adjust your tone or posture if the conversation is generating heightened emotions.
Things to avoid: Don’t minimize their challenges, avoid quickly jumping to a positive outlook, and stay away from “you should” phrases.
Refer to resources and ask how you can help:
– Dealing with all of this alone can be challenging, What can I do to support you?
– People may be reluctant to seek help because they’re not sure where to turn. IF you have used something in the past that you think could be helpful, share your experience and how it helped you. “I spoke to my family doctor when I was struggling with my anxiety and they connected me to a therapist. It really helped me. Do you think that might be helpful to you?”
Stay in touch and follow up:
– Set up a time to connect with the person again and continue to check in regularly.
– Aim for open and non-judgmental questions. “How have you been feeling lately?”

Below is a list of resources that can support you, your family and your colleagues, please visit https://www.cafconnection.ca/Kingston/Adults/Health/Health-Promotion/Resources-and-Links.aspx

Using the Bell Let’s Talk Mental Health Pocketbook and by registering for an upcoming Health Promotion program, you can increase your skills to support someone who needs help.

Practice your active listening skills in the following Health Promotion Programs:
- Personal Inter-Communication Program
- Mental Fitness & Suicide Awareness Training
- Respect in the CAF Workshop

For everyone who identifies with “Keep talking” you are not alone! Health Promotion offers a variety of prevention and education programs that can help build resiliency. Upcoming programs include:

RES2ET – a-skills based program aide to improve wellness at an individual, unit and family level. We will introduce you to six topics: Resilience, Exercise Selection/Exercise for Mental Fitness, Stress, Sleep/Rest & Eating Healthy
Stress: Take Charge

Often, peers and family members are the first to notice behavioural changes such as increased anxiety, anger, sadness, negativity, avoidance and substance use that could lead to mental health difficulties. Take stock of where you are right now on the Mental Health Continuum—which of the items below describe your current state of mind and well-being?