It’s like speaking another language

“It’s like speaking another language, and I don’t know if I am going to get it!” S said morosely. ☹

#ActiveListening is hard, as my new group of new #Samaritan volunteers are finding out.

“I can’t be direct. I have to use a softer tone, gentler words, give more space and pay attention to nuance. I can’t be direct and get to the point about what I want to know. And I must focus on what they want to say.”

S sighed, “It’s so hard!” 😞

But I promise you, it’s so very very worth it.

When you focus on the other person, and you give them space to explore their emotions and their thoughts – you open up a whole new world for them.

For many people who have suicidal thoughts, it may be the first time they have been able to talk about it with anyone.

Very few people are engaging in deep conversations, which is why it’s even more important for us to learn how to speak this “new language”.

In a couple of weeks, this cohort of new volunteers will be in our branch, taking calls with real people who are going through bad times, and their skills will come in handy.

I’m super proud of them for stepping up into this challenging role.

Being a Samaritan has been deeply impactful in my life and changed how I looked at the world ever since I joined over 15 years ago, which is why I am dedicating so much of my free time to train new volunteers.

If you’re in a good place, would you consider volunteering to support others in your community?

It pays nothing at all in tangible £$
… but the intangibles are so very worth it! ❤❤❤

#OnThePeiroll
#SuicideAwareness
#SuicidePrevention