“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
- Jack Cornfield
Phones these days have the option of saving emergency contacts. Think of social support in terms of those contacts, they are often the most frequent ones, similarly we often rely on people most of the times to help us in times of a personal crisis or cope with stress, which can be perceived as our network of social support.
A support group is a community where our peers value us, care for us, provide us emotional and physical comfort. It can be in terms of giving advice or just being empathetic listeners. These people stand beside us providing support during our good as well as our bad times and can make us better equipped to deal with life’s misfortunes. Often, these people also help bring out the best in us, and help us out of several bad habits that we might have accumulated over the years . For example : The Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group of people who come together to overcome alcohol addiction and encourage each other by providing support, and encouragement. This is just one example of the numerous social support groups that aim to provide love and empowerment by empathetic listening.
The Listening Circle is an initiative by the Bhor Foundation for building a support group for caregivers where they come together, share their experiences, and tell inspiring stories. The listening process can help us gain a fresh perspective to our own problems, and help us find the strength to cope. Empathetic listening creates a space for caregivers. We at Bhor Foundation believe that caregivers play a vital role in shaping the life outcomes of survivors.When people feel heard, an emotional burden is lifted, and they feel less stressed and confused. As an empathetic listener, one empowers the speaker to build greater self-esteem and self-awareness simply through the willingness to hear them and care about what they have to share. Caregivers can be friends, a family member or any significant other who is concerned about a person in distress and are basically superheroes who deserve to be heard and dealt with utmost love as they create this wonderful process for other people to heal.
Our recent meeting was held on the 7th of October, Sunday at Pet Street Indirapuram (NCR). This time in our listening circle we were joined by cute, tame pets and these pets provided us with unconditional warmth.
We were also supported by another group of enthusiastic young men who formed an organisation called as HOPE..A Start. They have taken interest in The Listening Circle and are helping us financially and by being involved in activities.
Our next meetup is on 27th for Users of mental health services and survivors of psychiatry. We are meeting at Khoj Canteen, South Delhi and we welcome you to just come as we will be there to listen.
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