I have depression, am i ok to be a Listener?

Im badly depressed and considering being a listener. I dont know though.

I think it would be beneficial though if we do be listeners. I feel its a good way to get better

If helping people is what makes you feel better then be a listener! But if hearing about other peoples personal issues is making you feel worse in ANY way, I would hold of and focus on recovering yourself first. :)

No not at all. My listener suffers from anxiety and depression and he's fantastic. To me I think you will be a able to relate a little more to that individual, not saying that a listener who hasn't suffered from depression can't either, but there is a little more understanding there. I've suffered silently with depression for some time and my listener told me when I'm ready I should think of becoming a listener myself some day. I've always helped others so I guess it's something to think about, but in your case, if you feel you should pursue it, then by all means do so. Hope this as helped.😊

@GeeRose

Thank you for your honesty about your situation, I often feel that the worst thing possible to do in situations regarding self care is to deny what's going on, so it's fantastic that you're looking to take care of yourself and provide the best possible service to members.

I don't want to move this thread to the listener only side, as it seems both listeners and members have wondered the same thing. However, there are a lot of threads that go into the importance of self care. This is a quote from a thread by our lovely Community Manager Heather about active listening, and I think it sums up the debate perfectly:

''When we accept a chat request, we are saying YES to willingly creating space for another person. It means we made a choice to carve time out from our own lives to give to a guest or member, and that weve done so because we want to. Mentally, we put aside our own worries and concerns to create room for theirs. We open up our hearts to care for them and to empathize.''

It's all up to you - if you feel that you are able to put aside what you're battling in order to help others, then there is no need to stop listening. If it's taking too much out of you, then stepping back would a good idea, for as long as you need to get things straightened out. That might mean hopping onto a member account for half an hour to get the support you need, that might mean not taking chats for a few weeks, that might mean deactivating - but whatever you choose, please know that you are loved and supported, and that your mental health is the top concern.

Talking to a peer support or a mentor may help you figure out what's best for you, and I hope that you find it soon.

Take care of yourself

Hi, just to let you know im a listener and ive had anxiety most of my life and on and off depression for the past few years. I think your experience and your ability to relate and identify depression in others is a great thing to have as a listener and its probably even more a reason to be a listener than to not be!

You're absolutely fine to be a listener. I have depression & anxiety and I am a listener. If anything, I think it might help because you can really relate & empathise to what some people are going through.