By Pearl Ventura De Santiago (student at University of Texas at El Paso), with Joshua Rivedal
Human beings were not made to go through life alone. When we’re cut off from others, that sense of isolation can lead to loneliness, which has terrible emotional and physical health consequences. Every one of us depends emotionally on social connections; talking to people, expressing ourselves, being loved, and feeling company are what move us as people and keep us in our best state emotionally, physically, and sometimes even economically. Communication is one of our greatest tools as humans.
Though we’re able to communicate with one another, many of us don’t, often for reasons like fear, pride, a lack of self-worth, or simply because we think we don't need it. Yet, when we don’t communicate, when we don’t connect, especially over long periods of time, that isolation can be a sign or symptom of someone experiencing emotional crisis, which can often (not always) lead to suicide ideation, attempts, and deaths. The most recent statistics reflect that in 2023, over 49,000 people died by suicide. That number is staggering. What makes it even more heartbreaking is knowing how many of those people may have felt unseen, unheard, or unsupported.
This is why communication matters so much. Reaching out (whether you’re the one struggling or the one offering a listening ear) can make a life-saving difference. Sometimes, just saying out loud what you’re going through helps ease the burden. It can make you feel “normal” and less alone. And sometimes, just having someone listen without judgment is enough to keep a person from feeling completely alone (I’ve been there at points in my life, and so have many others).
So how do we show up for the people we care about? How do we make it easier for them to open up? A few things can help:
Create a safe space – Set aside moments where judgment is off the table, so your loved one feels comfortable sharing openly.
Limit distractions – Find a private, quiet place where you can give them your full attention.
Be an active listener – Notice not only their words but also their tone, expressions, and body language.
Respond with compassion – You don’t have to “fix” what’s wrong—in fact, offering quick solutions can sometimes backfire. Instead, focus on empathy. A simple, “I’m here with you,” goes a long way.
Respect boundaries – Know your own limits and theirs. If the situation calls for more support than you can give, gently encourage professional help. That could mean suggesting counseling, therapy, or calling the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also help make a “warm handoff,” meaning you can assist them in calling 988, or you can ask the person in crisis if you can drive them to the ER or walk with them to your school’s counseling office (just a few examples).
Listening is vital, but so is speaking up. If you’re the one struggling, know that you don’t need to explain everything perfectly, and you don’t need to even try to have all the answers. What matters is that you reach out. There will always be someone willing to hear you out.
Our minds are meant to think, our hearts are meant to feel, and our voices are meant to share. Communication is a gift that can bring healing, hope, and connection. Let’s use it to its fullest, for ourselves and for each other.
I’ll always be a listening ear, whether you’re in crisis or just want to call or text to celebrate something amazing that happened in your life. I look forward to hearing from you :)
Our minds are meant to think, our hearts are meant to feel, and our voices are meant to share. Communication is a gift that can bring healing, hope, and connection. Let’s use it to its fullest, for ourselves and for each other.
I’ll always be a listening ear, whether you’re in crisis or just want to call or text to celebrate something amazing that happened in your life. I look forward to hearing from you :)
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