Stroud trainer shares five ways to prevent emotional crisis before it starts
Column by Penny Newton-Hurley
Mental Health A&Es: A step forward, but what about prevention?
New mental health A&Es are set to open across England.
It's an encouraging step, but it raises a crucial question: what are we doing to stop the crisis before it starts?
We need mental health first aid, but we also need prevention.
As a specialist in CommPassionate Communication, I believe many early warning signs of distress could be picked up if we knew how to listen.
Here are five ways to build emotional safety at home, school, or work:
1. Make feelings normal.
Saying "I'm sad today" or "I felt really anxious this morning" makes it okay for others to do the same.
2. Don't wait for a meltdown.
Check in often. "How's your energy today?" is a good start. We don't ask because we're fine. We ask because we care.
3. Make space for needs.
Needs like rest, belonging, autonomy, or fun aren't luxuries, they're psychological essentials.
4. Listen to the message behind the mood.
Behaviour is communication. A withdrawn teen may be feeling hopeless. An irritable colleague might be overwhelmed.
5. Respond with presence, not panic.
You don't need to "fix" someone's feelings. You just need to be with them. That's where healing begins.
Empathy doesn't replace services, but it can reduce the need for them.
About Penny Newton-Hurley.
Oakridge-based communications expert Penny Newton-Hurley has launched a new series of online courses to help people navigate difficult conversations with clarity and care.
Find out more at foryou.commpassion.co.uk.
Penny trained under psychologist Dr Marshall Rosenberg in Nonviolent Communication.
She has delivered training for central government, the NHS, and the Ministry of Defence.
She lives in Stroud with her family.
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