How we marked The Big Listen: The Samaritans Awareness Day 2024
On 24 July this year, we marked 'The Big Listen', Samaritans Awareness Day. This awareness day allows those in the mental health sector and general public to spotlight the important work done by the Samaritans and also, the power of listening in a mental health setting. We wanted to highlight the work done by the Samaritans and also think about listening, and the power of listening, in a psychoanalytic context.
The Samaritans
Learn moreWhen thinking about listening in a psychoanalytic context, explore below for some some suggested further reading and listening on the subject:
Further reading and listening
Explore listening through poetry in these two pieces that pair the act of listening with the sounds of nature:
Watch 4’33” by John Cage, performed by The BBC Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Lawrence Foster, live at the Barbican. A piece inspired by the natural sounds that surround us every day.
Read psychodynamic psychotherapist and writer Moya Sarner’s Guardian article on the different ways one can effectively listen to those closest to them. Moya Sarner volunteers at The Listening Place, which provides face-to-face support for people with chronic suicidal feelings.
Read this essay from Room where Abraham Velazquez Jr. talks about the power of listening, art and discussion in the context of a youth outreach programme.
