Welcome to the Circle

Listening to Mental Health

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I recently had the chance to sit with a group of amazing people and hear their stories. Before we started we laid out some ground rules. This is what we agreed to. It’s good guidance for any tough personal conversation.

• Listen. It’s the only and most important thing you have to do. To listen fully is powerful and empowering.
• Don’t judge. Make this a safe space.
• Details of who was here or who said what are not for sharing outside this room. Repeating general or sufficiently anonymous things you learned is ok. Talking specifically about your own experience afterwards is often helpful.
• It’s brave to share. It’s not required. It’s always ok to say “I’d rather not talk about it.”
• You are free to leave at any time.
• Every type, stage, or severity of situation or condition is relevant. Your feelings and emotions are not in competition with others.
• We’re here for support, not to diagnose or prescribe.
• If you need to cry, that’s ok.
• Anger is a healthy emotion and not something to be ashamed of.