Why hEARt Listens?

As we enter the second half of the Fall semester, let’s take a step back to reflect on hEARt and why our trainees and supporters continue involving themselves to further our mission. If there’s one thing college has taught me, it’s that everyone’s going through something. Between exams, career pressure, relationships, and just figuring out who we are, mental health can quietly take a backseat. Here’s where hEARt comes in.

What sets hEARt apart from the various other student organizations on campus is our peer-to-peer connection. Talking to someone who’s walking the same campus paths, cramming in the same libraries, and navigating the same pressures allows for a deeper and more personal connection. There’s something powerful about knowing the person listening understands and might also be going through the same things.

One trainee said it best: “Speaking with someone who shares the same campus, similar pressures and environments, can make the experience less overwhelming. I believe that the sense of shared background is crucial and beneficial in building trust and comfort.”

hEARt reminds me of times when friends came to me for advice or just needed someone to listen. Many of our current trainees and supporters have always found meaning in being a person that their friends can lean on when things get heavy. Like another hEARt trainee put it, “I’ve found it very fulfilling to empathize through conversations and lend a helping hand to those who need it, and I’ve been looking for an opportunity to help on an even larger scale.”

That’s the beauty of hEARt. It’s not just a club, it’s a community built on empathy, listening, and connection. It’s about creating a space where people don’t have to be okay all the time, and where someone’s willing to say, “Hey, I hear you.”

For many of us, joining hEARt isn’t just about helping others — it’s about growth, too. Learning how to listen without judgment, how to support without trying to “fix,” and how to show up with compassion are lessons that stick for life.

At the end of the day, being part of hEARt means being part of a ripple effect. One small conversation, one act of empathy, that can change how someone feels about themselves, even for a moment. And that’s the kind of impact our trainees and supporters hope to have for years to come.