The Power of Active Listening: How to Truly Hear Someone
We live in a world that moves fast. Notifications ping, conversations overlap, and moments to just listen are few and far between. But when it comes to supporting mental health, listening—really listening—is everything.
Active listening isn’t about giving advice or waiting for your turn to speak. It’s about presence. Eye contact. A nod. A quiet pause to let someone finish their thought.
At CONTACT Care Line, our trained volunteers and staff practice active listening every day. We don’t jump in with solutions. We make space. We reflect. We hear what’s said—and what’s not said.
You don’t need special training to listen actively. You just need to:
- Stay curious
- Avoid interrupting
- Ask open-ended questions
- Mirror feelings, not fix them
If you’re ever unsure what to say, try this: “Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m here.”
Sometimes, listening can be the first step toward healing.
If someone in your life needs more support, remind them that they can always reach out to 988.