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SELECTIVE MUTISM IS AN ANXIETY DISORDER......
Still widely misunderstood, with few professionals trained to recognise or work with selective mutism, this is a genetically based anxiety disorder which is thought to affect about 1 in 150 children, young people or adults. People with selective mutism are not being rude, they are not suffering from abuse and they are not choosing to be silent. People with selective mutism are crippled with anxiety surrounding talking. In some situations they may speak completely naturally and in others they will be unable to speak a single word. This video is reproduced by kind permission of one of our lovely space cafe admins, Leanne Danielle Kneale. |
SM SPACE CAFE ON FACEBOOK.
A unique online initiative to support teenagers and adults who have selective mutism or may now be recovered. The group also welcomes parents of children with selective mutism and members of professional bodies such as teachers or speech and language therapists who wish to be supportive and maybe learn more. The cafe is a safe place to chat, make friends and share ideas. It is at times a lifeline where many who struggle to find their voice are able to express themselves.
Run almost 24 hours per day by a team of volunteer admins, most of whom either have or have had sm. The role gives a lot of responsibility and encourages independence, confidence, self esteem and team building. It gives voice to people who may be struggling in the world to find one. Admins deal day to day with everything from the lighthearted post to the desperate and are a vital part of our work with their empathy and personal understanding of this condition on this page.
One user said ' One thing I like about the cafe is we can come on here and know we will be accepted and not judged no matter who we are or what we feel. We are cared for unconditionally no questions asked.'
We would like to one day consider looking into funding to pay for admins to run this page but for now and the past 3 years it is a purely voluntary role.
The cafe has plans to expand the admin role to include several work experience placements per year for young people who are experiencing sm or anxiety in school.
One of our admin and member of the cafe who has selective mutsim herself has designed and sells her own awareness cards.
We always participate in raising awareness in October by using artwork with the voices of our members as written words to create pictures that we can share on social media.
A unique online initiative to support teenagers and adults who have selective mutism or may now be recovered. The group also welcomes parents of children with selective mutism and members of professional bodies such as teachers or speech and language therapists who wish to be supportive and maybe learn more. The cafe is a safe place to chat, make friends and share ideas. It is at times a lifeline where many who struggle to find their voice are able to express themselves.
Run almost 24 hours per day by a team of volunteer admins, most of whom either have or have had sm. The role gives a lot of responsibility and encourages independence, confidence, self esteem and team building. It gives voice to people who may be struggling in the world to find one. Admins deal day to day with everything from the lighthearted post to the desperate and are a vital part of our work with their empathy and personal understanding of this condition on this page.
One user said ' One thing I like about the cafe is we can come on here and know we will be accepted and not judged no matter who we are or what we feel. We are cared for unconditionally no questions asked.'
We would like to one day consider looking into funding to pay for admins to run this page but for now and the past 3 years it is a purely voluntary role.
The cafe has plans to expand the admin role to include several work experience placements per year for young people who are experiencing sm or anxiety in school.
One of our admin and member of the cafe who has selective mutsim herself has designed and sells her own awareness cards.
We always participate in raising awareness in October by using artwork with the voices of our members as written words to create pictures that we can share on social media.
SM SPACE CAFE IN REAL LIFE...YEARLY EVENT!
We would like to bring the Sm Space Cafe to life with a real life event, possibly in London. This would give a massive boost to many sufferers of sm and their families who would be able to come together in a supportive environment for a day of fun, friendship and information sharing. It would be an awareness raising day and we hope to get national press coverage to get the message out there to help people with selective mutism.
Some ideas for the day would be to host speakers who are professionals in treating sm, speakers from families, live music and comedy, free alternative therapies aimed at reducing stress and anxiety, stalls and a cafe filled with gorgeous food requested by our members! There would also be a quiet room for meditation, and getting away from it all for those who suffer from sensory overload..with books, newspapers, children's sensory toys and a calming atmosphere.
If this event is successful we hope to make it a yearly event. Eventually, having clients all over the world, it may be possible to organise this event in other countries too.
This is an idea for the future.
SELECTIVE MUTISM BOOK .
There are plans afoot to work on a book with some people from the sm space cafe - watch this space!
There are plans afoot to work on a book with some people from the sm space cafe - watch this space!
SM SPACE BOUTIQUE.
A website and online emporium for people with anxiety and selective mutism to host their own individual shops and blogs, and to sell their creative works.
This is a project for the future.
A website and online emporium for people with anxiety and selective mutism to host their own individual shops and blogs, and to sell their creative works.
This is a project for the future.
RESEARCH.
Please be part of our ongoing research into genetic links to selective mutism and anxiety and gentle, natural therapies to lessen anxiety.
Please be part of our ongoing research into genetic links to selective mutism and anxiety and gentle, natural therapies to lessen anxiety.
PARTNER WEBSITES AND SPONSORHIP.
Please get in touch via the contact form if you are interested in getting involved via partner websites or sponsorship.
Please get in touch via the contact form if you are interested in getting involved via partner websites or sponsorship.