Stillness is the answer – listening and being heard

How often do you really feel heard? Without judgment, and with enough time to say everything you need to say, or even to be in silence?

With all the distractions of modern life, which gets busier and more pressured every year, it’s less common than it used to be just to sit quietly and listen. And be heard in turn.

It’s important for all of us to be heard, and to develop and maintain our non-judgmental listening skills, but even more vital for those dealing with mental health issues to have access to a compassionate listening ear. Health services themselves are under pressure, and even when regular appointments are available, time is strictly limited.

Those lucky enough to be able to access Essex charity Just Listening to You, however, have a safe and nurturing place to go, on a regular basis, where they can be heard in a relaxed and respectful atmosphere. This is what Bernadette Bentley, who runs Just Listening to You, says about the organisation:

The group vision is a world where anyone living with mental health problems find opportunity, positivity, genuine friendship and a world free of stigma.

We provide help to anyone who has issues with mental health problems, we provide a safe area for conversations, enabling you to discuss any subject and to connect with other survivors.

There are groups on Fridays in Wickford and Wednesdays in Southend, and you can find more information on the Meetup page here. You can also follow Just Listening to You and read Bernadette’s blogs on the Facebook page.

Recently I attended the Wickford group to talk informally about Mind Calm and find out more about how the organisation works. It was a lovely experience. Even as a visitor invited to talk about my area of expertise, I was welcomed and nurtured, given time to share and made to feel at home in every way possible. This included lunchtime, when we gathered at the table just like a family.

During that morning and early afternoon, I got to know a lovely group of people, who were as keen to hear about me as to share their own experiences and who listened with interest and curiosity to what I had to say about Mind Calm.

If you live in Essex and are dealing with any mental health issue and you would like to spend time with people who understand, find out more about Just Listening to You. There is a welcoming, accepting community waiting to greet you and listen to you.