POWERED UP - AN INSIGHT BY THE IN GROUP
It’s good to talk
and often don’t ask for help. Regular check-ins should be a normalised practice – talking about what we’re grateful for, having an appreciation for each other.” Which brings us nicely to our partnership. It’s clear that what drew us to LIFEbeat wasn’t just a desire to make a difference but a genuine synergy in the way we look at the world. “These days,” Lucy says, “you abandon yourself and speak with a polish. But life’s about connecting with other people. The young people we work with are speaking in their own way, a way that’s true to them.” Lucy happily recalls the moment she overheard a LIFEbeat youngster remarking to one of their peers, “You should talk to Lucy. She’s alright, you know.” It seems mirroring their young people’s authenticity is working pretty well for Lucy and her team.
At The IN Group, we offer trained mental health first aiders and various programmes organised by our Wellbeing and Engagement committee, such as tea and talk sessions. These give us the opportunity to connect and talk about whatever we want. Providing these initiatives is all very well, but how do we encourage people to come forward and – if they need it – seek support and guidance? Lucy feels that we’re going about it in the right way. “Create a culture where an element of disclosure is normal like we do through check-in practices. We sometimes use metaphors to encourage young people to talk about something difficult. We might ask, ‘If how you feel was a weather pattern, what would it be?’ A feeling often accompanying depression is shame. It’s an innate feeling. If we’re overwhelmed with grief, we feel shame
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CREDIT - PEXELS
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