Hamish and Kyle: Why it’s important to talk to someone
Nutters Club co-hosts Hamish ColemanRoss and Kyle MacDonald are starting a new web series looking at mental health. Today they start with why it’s important to speak up
Since 2017, I have been privileged enough to co-host Newstalk ZB’s The Nutters Club, a radio show that talks about mental health issues and tries to see if it can’t help its listeners along the way.
Together with psychotherapist and Herald on Sunday columnist Kyle MacDonald, we have spoken about most of the mental health conditions and issues you could think of.
Regardless of the topic, it never fails to amaze me how willing people are to share their deeply personal stories with a nationwide audience. Often when I’ve asked guests after a show how they feel, they express nothing but positivity about the experience.
But why?
It turns out that saying our thoughts out loud to a complete stranger has a positive effect for the human brain and general mental state.
“Just being able to describe in words what’s going on and how we’re feeling, in and of itself is calming and regulating,” says my radio co-host.
The idea that a problem shared is a problem halved has always been one that’s easier said than done. Not wanting to heap our problems on to others when they’re already busy, or the fear of being judged, holds us back from being honest.
But we shouldn’t for a moment underestimate or devalue the power of feeling heard and understood by another human being.
“It’s long been understood as highly beneficial and why professional talk therapy exists as a mental health service,” affirms MacDonald.
“Where a professional can help is assist in navigating the information imparted to analyse where thought patterns might be getting stuck. Finding pathways forward is where therapy delivers.”
Added to this is the value in finding a supportive environment. Peer-support groups have proved to be highly effective.
Led by people with lived experience of mental distress, psychiatric illness or addiction, the 2018 Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction recognised that peer support gives people a sense of hope that inspires and sustains the healing process. Alcoholics Anonymous or “AA” is a great example of this in action but if talking in a group isn’t your thing, then oneon-one options are aplenty as well.
There are significant mental health benefits to be had by talking openly with other people with similar experiences. They might not know you specifically, but they know what you’re going through, having been there themselves.
A quick search online for “peer support groups” will produce a multitude of options for specific issues and conditions in all corners of New Zealand.