BELL LETB次元官网网址橲 TALK DAY 2019 OFFICIAL VIDEO: Today, every view of this video makes a difference. All you need to do is watch it and Bell will donate 5垄 to mental health initiatives. Share to help spread the word!

B次元官网网址� Bell Let's Talk (@Bell_LetsTalk)

Last year, #BellLetsTalk was the most-used Canadian Twitter hashtag, according to Twitter Canada. The campaign even gained the attention of .

But on Bell LetB次元官网网址檚 Talk Day 2019, which takes place on Wednesday, itB次元官网网址檚 important to also listen, says Dr. Heather Fulton, a registered psychologist at the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addiction.

B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 Talk is really important for reducing stigma and talking about mental illness,B次元官网网址� said Fulton. B次元官网网址淧art of that is, letB次元官网网址檚 listen to what people have to say.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE:

B次元官网网址淟istening is really important because it communicates to that other person that their responses, feelings, thoughts and actions make sense and theyB次元官网网址檙e understandable,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not necessarily agreeing with them or you conveying that you like what theyB次元官网网址檙e saying, but that you get them, you understand them and it helps that relationship.

B次元官网网址淚t can be one of the most powerful things that we do with someone.B次元官网网址�

While many people think theyB次元官网网址檙e good at listening, B次元官网网址減erhaps theyB次元官网网址檙e not actually as good as they think they are,B次元官网网址� Fulton said.

Common pitfalls include the compulsion to dole out advice, B次元官网网址渂ut feeling truly listened to and understood can be much more helpful than any advice or suggestions that we offer,B次元官网网址� she said.

RELATED:

Another pitfall is depending on platitudes like B次元官网网址渋t happened for a reasonB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渋t made them a better person.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淥ften when we say those phrases, we say them because we feel uncomfortable, we donB次元官网网址檛 know how to help and we want them to feel better as fast as possible,B次元官网网址� Fulton said. B次元官网网址淏ut they rarely have that intended effect of helping the other person, and often they actually make a person feel worse.B次元官网网址�

Instead, Fulton suggested practicing active listening by concentrating on what the other person is saying, and using nonverbal cues such as eye contact and nodding your head.

Further, stating feelings descriptively like B次元官网网址測ou felt ignoredB次元官网网址� and showing tolerance by trying to understand the personB次元官网网址檚 emotions and reactions based on their life circumstances are tested and true listening techniques.

B次元官网网址淲ith listeningB次元官网网址� just listen. Be present,B次元官网网址� Fulton said. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 have to fix things, nor are you really able to. Just ask them how you can help anyways.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes it might just be sitting and listening to them, bearing witness to some of their experience. Showing them that youB次元官网网址檙e not uncomfortable with them or their emotions can be really validating.B次元官网网址�

karissa.gall@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on