Teaching Suicide Awareness and Prevention 2019

SUICIDE AWARENESS & PREVENTION MODULE 2018
LESSON 4: DEVELOPING ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS
Memo to the teacher:
There is a difference between "being a friend" and "Active Listening". As teachers, we sometimes
develop lasting friendships with former students, but for the most part we keep our professional
distance from our students (and that's all right). However, any caring human being can "befriend"
any other human being without the emotional attachment of friendship.
An Active Listener is basically a compassionate, non-judgmental listener who knows when to
honour confidences. An Active Listener need not be an expert in psychology, psychiatry or
counselling: he or she need only be good at listening, caring and respecting. An Active Listener does
not give advice. An Active Listener gives the gifts of self: time; listening; touch and tears. These gifts
will cost you nothing. Still, they are priceless.
Teenagers need us. Under that seemingly secure facade they present to us, there lie hidden many
hurting "kids" who need our permission, encouragement and support to go on living.
Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland Publications Limited Page 37 of 70