Listening with the Heart
How Lao Youth are advocating for peer-to-peer mental health support creating safe spaces for youth to be heard.
Adolesence can be a confusing time for many. It’s a time when we are navigating some of our most formative moments in life, whether it’s our studies, family expectations, work, relationships, societal pressure or economic uncertainty. But if we take a moment to sit down with a young person and truly listen to their concerns, the weight of these burdens become evident but many choose silence over conversation out of fear - fear that no one will understand them and of judgment.
Seeing how this is the case in his own community, 20 year old Khamlar is determined to advocate for safer spaces for young people to share their stories and concerns free from prejudice.
In my own community, I’ve seen young people suffer in silence. Some smile and pretend to be strong. Others laugh in groups but cry alone at night. This kind of emotional isolation doesn’t just dim the spirit but can lead to serious mental health issues
Pondering what he can do, Khamlar kickstarted a small initiative “Mental Health Changemakers” through the assistance of the Youth Champions Laos programme, which is implemented in partnership with Lao Youth Union and supported by the UNICEF International Council. His project focused on creating a safe space where young people could share their concerns and be heard – to truly be themselves.
Together with friends, he designed activities to foster warmth and connection, including storytelling and skill-building sessions around active and empathetic listening, stress management and how to build honest and supportive friendships.
What mattered most in this space was that everyone felt heard
Over 40 people joined Khamlar’s initiative and by the end of it, 40 strangers found the courage to speak about things they had never shared before to each other and were met with compassion.
“Being part of Youth Champions Laos was a turning point for me, not just as a leader of an initiative but also as a person. I learned that big change doesn’t require a big start. It begins with one sincere action, one honest conversation or a small, safe space where someone finally feels heard.” Khamlar reflected.
Khamlar’s story is a reminder that advocacy efforts to drive positive change in our communities do not need a grand start to make a big impact.
All it takes are small actions, driven by sincerity and empathy.
