‘We actively listen, and that's all we do.’: U of M student initiative combats isolation of pandemic
A new mental health initiative by four University of Manitoba (U of M) students is helping Winnipeggers fight the isolating psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Listening Ear was created just a few weeks ago by four students in the U of M's President Student Leadership Program. The students are visiting high traffic areas across Winnipeg this summer and fall in order to listen to whatever people want to talk about.
"We're wanting to offer that much-needed human connection," said co-founder Kevin Prada, an undergrad psychology student at the U of M. "We're setting up shop with these red t-shirts and an a-frame sign and basically just greeting people with a kind 'hello, how are you?' and inviting people to come talk to us.
"If you want to talk about the amazing Bomber win last night, let's talk about that. If you want to talk about some of the struggles that have been going on in your life, let's talk about that. And what we do is we actively listen, and that's all we do."
It's all an effort to help people get over the isolating effects of the pandemic, and to get them used to talking in person again. Prada says the idea came about after the students realized that in addition to English they could speak another eight languages among the four of them. "What an amazing opportunity would it be to be able to give folks the opportunity to engage in their own language," he said.
The group has only gone out a few times so far, to locations such as Assiniboine Park and St. Vital Park. They plan on being at The Forks Sunday, August 7, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and will be on campus at the U of M when students return in the fall.
For those that need more than just a listening ear, the group offers a QR code handout with links to various community-based mental health supports.
The response has been positive so far. Prada says the encounters are a little strange at first, but everyone they meet walks away with a smile on their face.
"We even had some people from out of province saying 'we've never heard of anything like this, we would love to have this in our province!' So this really is a new initiative and we hope that it's going to be perennial for years to come."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.