Listening saves lives. How can we be better at it?

Kicking off Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, I sat down with a director from Samaritans to better understand what the charity is and does, and talk about how we can all do a better job of looking after ourselves - and each other.Amanda has spent over a decade volunteering with Samaritans, the charity that answers a call for help every 10 seconds.Founded 70 years ago by a vicar with a single phone, Samaritans has grown into a 24/7 lifeline for anyone who needs to talk, with more than 20,000 volunteers in the UK.In this conversation, we talk about how we can be better listeners for friends, family and strangers. We get into what really happens when you call the helpline - 116 123, how volunteers protect their own mental health, why listening can save lives, and the power of simply asking, “Are you OK?”We also explore loneliness, talk about men’s mental health and suicide, the future of Samaritans, and what hope and possibility look like when life feels impossible.=====We all want to be happy, healthy and fulfilled.The question is: how?Project Possible, hosted by me, Rich Leigh, explores this question with incredible guests from the world of business, sport, entertainment, health and psychology.Between the second and third series, I made the decision to go full-time on this show.I sold my successful 10 year old PR agency after my youngest brother Jordan took his own life. I realised that I needed to run towards passion, purpose and positive impact, and my dream of this being my career.Possibilists, pull up a pew.=====Sign up now to the free weekly newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://projectpossible.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for behind the scenes, giveaways, ways to get involved and more.=====Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/richleighpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Project Possible website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.projectpossiblepod.com