Tuesday 9 May 2017

Mental Health Awareness Week: Empathy!

May 09, 2017 0 Comments

Considering it's mental health awareness week I really wanted to write a post dedicated to such an important topic of conversation. Firstly, it's amazing to have days/weeks like this whereby the time is dedicated to opening up and talking about a topic that is still so heavily stigmatised. It's not just the act of doing something to make a change, it's encouraging the conversations and for it to be talked openly about so people no longer feel so alone.

I read something the other day which really stuck with me and it was frightening how true it really was. The quote read...

'I will never understand why every organ in your body gets support and sympathy when it is ill except for your brain'

It's sad how true and accurate this is. If you have a broken leg or come down with the flu there will be some sort of help immediately present with people around you providing care. In comparison, the moment something is a little out of place in your head, it suddenly becomes something to be embarrassed about and ashamed of. There is the fear of people judging you for being 'pathetic', 'making a fuss' or 'putting it on' and it all comes down to the fact that people just don't understand.

Looking back to my school years, I never remember being educated on mental health and this probably plays a huge influence in why it's so badly misunderstood. If we are not educated in it as children/teenagers and if it is always hidden as though it's something to be ashamed of then soon enough, that's what it all turns into.

I believe that education is the key to kickstart the improvement in mental health as the more people understand, the easier it will be to open up. People will no longer feel ashamed to admit they don't feel okay, just like they aren't ashamed to admit they have the flu. People will no longer feel like they have to suffer in silence and they will soon realise that it is okay to not be okay.

There is support out there (although it still has a long way to go to be as equally accessible), it's just all about taking that brave step to go out and get it.

As part of my volunteering at University, I help run student led support groups for those who feel like they need someone to talk to. We are not trained to give therapy and not there to give advice but we are there to just provide some support. It's a place whereby people can feel safe and secure to not feel alone and vent how they are feeling. I think things like this are such an important first step as not only does it start the conversations but these conversations can be the start of a recovery.

Talking about something with like-minded people or just people who are willing to listen can make all the difference. It can make you feel as though you are no longer alone or make you feel as though you do have someone to turn to in times of need. Therefore, I think it's important to always be open to the conversations.

It can be scary as you may feel as though that person is looking for you to give them the advice and all the answers but you don't need to provide that. All you need to do is be able to listen, it's that simple. By listening you are already making that person feel as though they are not alone. By listening you are already giving them a place where they feel safe and can free themselves of the thoughts that may be consuming their mind for a little while.

Of course you can give them a little guidance of where to go to seek help, as that push may be what they need however, they won't need you to cure them. Just being open to listen and let them know you are always there to do that is the most powerful thing.


Empathy is such a crucial thing when it comes to mental health. In our training this was something that was stressed to us but it is also something that can sometimes get very mixed up with sympathy. Below is an incredibly useful video we were shown which highlights the difference and encourages a way of approaching someone in a way that will prevent them from feeling alone.


I hope this post sheds some light on how easy it is to just be there for someone experiencing a mental health difficulty. Sometimes it can seem quite daunting and I think this may be a reason some people hold back from supporting someone going through it. You can worry about saying the wrong thing or not being able to give them the right advice to make them feel better however, it's much simpler than that. You don't need to have all the answers, you just need to be willing to listen and ensure that person that you are there and that they are not alone.


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(image from: http://www.empowher.com/condition/mental-health)