Europe House marks World Mental Health Day through a series of ČEK workshops.
How many times have we wished for someone to truly listen to us? To say what we think – clearly, calmly, and without the fear of being misunderstood?
“Communication Skills – Communicating in Challenging Situations” workshops were born from the idea that understanding ourselves and others isn’t always easy – but it can be learned. The goal? To turn conversations back into bridges, not walls.
Before the second ČEK workshop, we had a chat with psychologist and psychotherapist Milena Žujović.
“These workshops are designed as a space for personal growth – a kind of training ground for developing real communication tools that help us understand ourselves and others,” explains Žujović.
The three ČEK workshops combine theory, hands-on exercises, role-playing, and reflection – a balanced blend of learning and fun.
During the first workshop, “Introduction to Communication and Assertiveness”, participants got to dive into the basics of verbal and non-verbal communication, discover the differences between passive, aggressive, and assertive styles, and see how being assertive can make teamwork smoother (and less stressful).
According to Žujović, it takes a fair amount of self-reflection and a bit of courage to spot our own communication patterns.
“That’s why we used self-assessments and group exercises in the first session – to help participants get a clearer picture of their own style through experience and feedback,” she adds.
This Thursday at Europe House, during the second workshop in the series, we will explore the use of I-messages and active listening.
Žujović says this topic couldn’t be more relevant today: life moves at lightning speed, and in all that rush, we often forget to really listen.
“Active listening means being truly present – catching not just the words, but the feelings and meaning behind them. It’s about empathy, attention, and a willingness to understand before jumping in with a reply,” says Žujović.
The aim of the “Communication Skills – Communicating in Challenging Situations” workshops is simple but powerful: to help participants express their needs and emotions clearly and calmly, to build stronger, healthier relationships through better listening and understanding, and feel more confident when speaking.
All this happens in a friendly, supportive space where sharing experiences and learning from each other is part of the fun.