On the 2nd Tuesday, of every month, we’re live on Twitter at 8pm (GMT) to facilitate a conversation about a topic related to mental health. Here’s a round-up of our January Twitter Chat: What Help Or Support From Others Would Genuinely Help You The Most?
So is everybody ready? Let’s start with our main question – so GO Q1 "What help or support from others would genuinely help you most?" #BlurtChats pic.twitter.com/DgmRjxTS5r
— The Blurt Foundation (@BlurtAlerts) January 9, 2018
A1: My top one (for me as I know we are all different) is mainly a listening ear or a piece of paper. The ear for listening & support, the paper to write/vent & then shred or crumple. It’s better out then bottled up #BlurtChats
— Kim Kimmi H (@Kim_KimmiH) January 9, 2018
I really appreciate being properly listened to. Even if the listener doesn't understand fully, their patient efforts to try and to hear me is so helpful #BlurtChats
— Joosy (@joosylemon) January 9, 2018
Being available. I know it’s hard, but it takes a LOT of energy to reach out when struggling. So only say “you can call/text me any time” if you mean it. Replies are important to us #BlurtChats https://t.co/tG9SES6OTd
— Becky (@beckyeh) January 9, 2018
A hug ? a virtual hug too, is always nice, specially when it comes out of the blue #BlurtChats
— AlexTheAlchemyst (@AlexAlchemyst) January 9, 2018
@BlurtAlerts Sometimes my friends will talk me through step by step on the phone. I live alone so having someone make dinner isn't an option, but "okay stand up, now, what do you have in your fridge? Eggs? Okay, you're making an omelette" does me the world of good. #blurtchats
— Frey (@WelFreya) January 9, 2018
Asking for help is a struggle for many of us. So on to Question 2, which is double-barrelled: “Is there anyone you find it particularly easy to ask for help from?" and "What do they do that makes it so easy?” #BlurtChats
— The Blurt Foundation (@BlurtAlerts) January 9, 2018
Not any friends but my cpn. She’s amazing & just “gets me” she understands & makes me feel that things I’m going through are sometimes part of life. The only person I could tell that I’d made plans to end my life. Helped to save me. #BlurtChats
— kerry ??? (@Kerry1712Kerry) January 9, 2018
My partner is so patient with me & really listens to what I need. He gives me loads of support & encouragement, without judging, even in the simplest of tasks.
My sister is a rock. She completely understands, so is able to give me some great advice & support. #blurtchats— Sophie Smith (@ssmith1407) January 9, 2018
There are two people. Me- it helps to self identify that I need it. And anyone I trust- who can take a load off me. Even if it's to help solve a very small problem… an anxiety can be replaced with option. #mentalhealth #BlurtChats @BlurtAlerts
— AnnieBelasco (@BelascoAnnie) January 9, 2018
Those who help the most are the ones who have gone through something similar – they just ‘get it’ so much more. And my husband, who is just amazing. And the cat – ever so patient listener! #BlurtChats
— Mrs N (@MrsRFNicholas) January 9, 2018
I have some awesome friends I can talk to. And who seem to instinctively know what I need. They don't push too much but always offer an ear if I need it. Family are harder. #BlurtChats
— Meandmymhmatters BA (Hons) (@Meandmymhmatter) January 9, 2018
Turning this around, for Question 3 – “Is there anything that you do for others that they find particularly helpful?” (Maybe we can use these to help us know what will help us) #BlurtChats
— The Blurt Foundation (@BlurtAlerts) January 9, 2018
Self-disclosure, openness and honesty, non-judgemental attitude and not feeling like you have to fix everything for them, even to be heard is sometimes enough #BlurtChats
— Sash Panik #BlackLivesMatter #Socialism #NHS (@sashpanik) January 9, 2018
A3: When I see Mum or any of my family/loved ones obviously struggling/upping the game, I say to them: you need to slow down a little bit. This little ‘prod’ has from experience made them: stop, breathe and take a moment #BlurtChats
— Kim Kimmi H (@Kim_KimmiH) January 9, 2018
There's two things: first, I try to help by lighten their workload when I know they're busy. And second, I let them know that I'm there for them when they need someone to talk to. #BlurtChats
— Chrizzly (@Chrizzly81) January 9, 2018
Just asked my sister and she said I’m always there if she needs to talk. Have always been a good listener & never judge.
I also try to check in with friends who I know are struggling every so often, as I know this helps me #BlurtChats— Sophie Smith (@ssmith1407) January 9, 2018
Was given this by my counsellor and I’ve passed it on to some others. Have it laminated in my purse if I ever need it. #BlurtChats pic.twitter.com/ILtz4DBQ2Q
— Mrs N (@MrsRFNicholas) January 9, 2018
So for our final question for tonight (and we know this is a hard one): Q4 "How do you explain to other people how you're feeling and what help you need" #BlurtChats
— The Blurt Foundation (@BlurtAlerts) January 9, 2018
This is something I struggle with. Knowing what's going in in my own head is difficult so explaining it feels impossible sometimes. And I often don't know what I need. #BlurtChats
— Meandmymhmatters BA (Hons) (@Meandmymhmatter) January 9, 2018
“I need some help, and I need help figuring out what help I need” #blurtchats https://t.co/DlrcmCnTdX
— Becky (@beckyeh) January 9, 2018
My experience is to be as open and honest as possible. And that includes "I need help but I don't know what" Leaving stuff out to spare their feelings doesn't work in the long run either #BlurtChats
— Joosy (@joosylemon) January 9, 2018
Ooo that *is* hard. I have a steak based system with my bestie. "How are you feeling?" "blue/rare/mediumrare/medium/well done"* delete as appropriate. As for what help I need, I try and be honest, if i trust them #blurtchats
— Frey (@WelFreya) January 9, 2018
Exactly what I say – I’m struggling & trying my best but need a bit of support, explain what has helped in the past, and tell myself it’s ok not to be ok and if anyone doesn’t understand that theyre not worth worrying about. Typing this is 1 thing, believing it sometimes another
— Sash Panik #BlackLivesMatter #Socialism #NHS (@sashpanik) January 9, 2018
On the 2nd Tuesday, of every month (you can see our upcoming schedule here), we’ll be live on Twitter at 8pm (GMT) to facilitate a conversation about a topic related to mental health.
The best bit about a Twitter Chat, is that anyone with a Twitter profile can join in the conversation. And because it’s live, the hope is that it’ll be a buoyant hour which will be jam-packed with discussion, connection, advice-sharing and empathy.
At 8pm on the day of the Twitter Chat, we’ll tweet a welcome message to signal the beginning of the chat and post our topic question to get things going. We’ll use the hashtag #BlurtChats in all our tweets and it would be really helpful if you do the same in your replies – so that we can keep tabs on the conversation and reply to/re-tweet as many as possible.
If you don’t feel comfortable in taking part, we completely understand – please don’t beat yourself up about it, these things aren’t for everyone – we hope though that it might still be an insightful conversation to listen in on.
You can find us on Twitter: @blurtalerts
The Blurt Team <3
