by David Best, SSW Counsellor

The 1st of February is Time to Talk day, an annual awareness day designed to encourage us all to start a conversation about mental health.

Having lived with a visual impairment for most of my life, I understand and have experienced many of the issues caused by and related to sight loss.

Many people feel alone and isolated, partly because it is difficult for those around them to understand what they are going through.

Loss of any kind can be a difficult process and although there are common factors, it is a unique experience for each individual person.

With all loss comes change and for those experiencing sight loss there are many practical adjustments to make. These can be extremely challenging and exhausting, made more difficult and complicated by the emotional impact.

It can feel difficult to share thoughts and feelings with the people we are closest to including family members, friends, and colleagues. People often worry that others will feel burdened by their problems or that they might not understand. Often people experience feelings of frustration and anger and don’t want those around them to witness these for fear of being judged.

At Sight Support Worthing we recognise the importance of providing services that address and can support members with all aspects of their sight loss experience.

As part of our holistic approach, we provide a high quality, professional, confidential counselling service to support the emotional needs of our members.

The main aims are to encourage and enable members to explore, understand and express their thoughts, feelings, and behaviour by providing a confidential therapeutic relationship based on genuineness, acceptance, and trust.  The counselling relationship provides the key to empowering members to develop and enhance skills, strategies, self-awareness, confidence, and resilience. Over time members will become better equipped to respond to, cope with and manage the issues and challenges that affect their lives therefore enhancing their self-esteem.

If you would like to find out more about this service and how you or a family member could benefit from our wellbeing service please contact either Kate Confrey, Wellbeing Services Coordinator or David Best, Counsellor on 01903 385025

Mental Health Awareness Week is an ideal time for us all to think about mental health, tackle stigma, and find out how we can create a society that both prevents mental health problems from developing and protects our mental well-being.

At SSW, we’re proud to be doing our bit, via our Wellbeing Service (made possible by the National Lottery Community Fund), which is designed to support individuals with sight loss and vision impairment in leading fulfilling and independent lives.

We understand that sight loss and vision impairment can present significant challenges, impacting physical and emotional wellbeing. That’s why we offer a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of those living with these conditions, including counselling, coaching, information signposting, and wellbeing check-ins.

Get in touch to find out more about our services, or to book an appointment. You can email our Wellbeing Services Coordinator, Kate, at wellbeing@sightsupportworthing.org.uk or telephone her on 01903 385025.

The National Lottery Community Fund logo.

Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for making our wellbeing service possible.

 

A new text-based service is available for anyone feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stressed. Text SHOUT to 85258 to start a free, confidential text conversation with a trained volunteer, who can help with issues such as:

You can text from wherever you are in the UK. Text SHOUT to 85258 for free and confidential support 24/7.

If your life is at risk, please call 999 for immediate help.

 

The RNIB is offering Mental Wellbeing Check-ins. These one off sessions are for community members with sight loss who would like to share feelings, explore coping strategies and any further support needs with a trained counsellor.

Sessions will address some of the feelings created by the current pandemic situation including anxiety and distress. To refer into this service please fill in the form online or call the helpline 03031239999.