I’m all ears: ASU peer-to-peer listening invites conversation on campus
How fast can two people dip into an authentic conversation? What are the signals that invite authentic connection? Can you feel comfortable having a real conversation with a stranger? All of these scenarios are made possible with I’m All Ears peer listening.
To increase opportunities for social connection, Devils 4 Devils — with support from ASU Counseling Services — is putting an emphasis on real, human connections with its peer-to-peer listening program. Maddie Dobyns, coordinator senior for ASU Counseling Services, works directly to address authentic connection as manager of Devils 4 Devils and the peer-to-peer listening team.
“Peer listening means providing an open ear, listening about anything and everything. It's a fairly new program, it started last spring,” she explained.
Devils 4 Devils students who work as peer listeners for ASU Counseling Services find a bench in a central part of campus with a large, “I’m All Ears” sign, inviting anyone to come up and have an authentic conversation. Mirabella at ASU is doing their own version of the program called the Friendship Bench, which focuses on intergenerational interaction rather than peer-to-peer. Both methods are critical to surround ASU students with supportive people to talk to.
“The Mirabella program is focused more on the connection between older adults and young adults, while ASU Counseling Services's peer listening program is students talking to students,” Dobyns said. “We know that students are more likely to turn to each other in a time of crisis or when they're going through a difficult time, so having ASU students connect with other ASU students who may be going through similar things provides that sense of community and welcoming. It lets other students know that they aren't alone.”
Diana Lopez, a senior Sun Devil studying social work at Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, finds fulfillment in helping her fellow students as a peer listener.
“At the end of the day, we’re all human and we're all college students going through the same thing,” Lopez said. “It's nice to know that there is someone else that you can talk to who understands what you're going through and really gets to the point. I think with it being such a large school, it can feel really lonely and it can feel like we aren't as similar as we want to think we are. So, having a peer listener just reminds the student body that we're together in this, we're united and we're all Sun Devils.”
Adriana “Luz” Batista, a peer listener and first-year Sun Devil studying psychology at The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said that students are often drawn in by their eye-catching “I’m All Ears” signage.
“People are always like, ‘Oh my gosh, what is this? Is this a pop-up or something? Are you selling something? Is this your job?’ And it always is really engaging, especially with the sign that we have,” Batista said.
“And it is a lot of friendly faces, a lot of friendly smiles. Not everybody's super engaging right away, but the more you get them talking, you get them to sit down. It makes the shift more interesting,” she added.
While Batista doesn’t claim to have a perfect answer for every person who comes up to chat, just by having a conversation she knows can make a big difference for students seeking genuine connection.
“I'm a first year student and I don't have all the answers all the time,” Batista said. “I don't know if I can attest for every single person, but I think it's almost easier to open up to somebody when they're in the exact same position as you. It makes you feel a little bit less lonely.”
For students seeking a personal connection, the first step can be simply stopping and speaking to a student with an “I’m All Ears” sign.
“Come talk to us. We don't bite. Just come talk,” Lopez said. “You'll be surprised how much you like it, honestly.”
Additional Resources for ASU students:
ASU Counseling Services, call +1 (480) 965-6146, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
ASU Counseling Services Open Call and Open Chat
ASU’s dedicated crisis line through EMPACT, available 24/7, call +1 (480)921-1006
Dean of Students office resources
Resources for the community:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call 988, for Veterans press 1
LGBTQ Crisis Line - Trevor Project, call +1 (866)488-7386
Crisis Text Line, text TALK (8255) to 741741
Teen Lifeline, call or text +1 (602)248-8336 (TEEN)
Arizona Crisis Lines
Photography and video by Xavier Lipani, ASU Student Life