Why I Listen

I listen because when someone is feeling sad, in crisis, stressed, or alone, everyone deserves to feel heard, supported, valued, understood, cared for, and not isolated. I started volunteering at a distress centre in Halton because I wanted to make a positive impact on someone's life and wanted to show compassion, respect, kindness, grit, and resilience to those going through hard times. One of the most rewarding experiences has been helping someone feel heard, valued and sup

"Mental health isn’t always openly discussed in my culture. Growing up, there was an unspoken expectation to stay strong, keep emotions private, and push through challenges without asking for help. I saw how this silence made it harder for people to reach out, even when they needed support the most. When I started volunteering with the Distress Line and TeleCheck at DCH, I realized how powerful it is just to have someone truly listen. Many of the callers I have spoken to fe