• Home
  • About Us
  • Find Help
    • Suicide Warning Signs
    • How to Help Someone in Cr
    • Crisis Help Lines
    • Loss Survivors
    • Attempt Survivors
    • Thoughts of Suicide
  • Learn More
    • FAQs
    • Crisis Resources
    • Training
    • Stories of Hope
    • Make a Safety Plan
    • Practice Active Listening
  • Get Involved
    • Participate
    • Upcoming Events
  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Find Help
      • Suicide Warning Signs
      • How to Help Someone in Cr
      • Crisis Help Lines
      • Loss Survivors
      • Attempt Survivors
      • Thoughts of Suicide
    • Learn More
      • FAQs
      • Crisis Resources
      • Training
      • Stories of Hope
      • Make a Safety Plan
      • Practice Active Listening
    • Get Involved
      • Participate
      • Upcoming Events
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Find Help
    • Suicide Warning Signs
    • How to Help Someone in Cr
    • Crisis Help Lines
    • Loss Survivors
    • Attempt Survivors
    • Thoughts of Suicide
  • Learn More
    • FAQs
    • Crisis Resources
    • Training
    • Stories of Hope
    • Make a Safety Plan
    • Practice Active Listening
  • Get Involved
    • Participate
    • Upcoming Events

Humboldt Connection Suicide Prevention

Humboldt Connection Suicide PreventionHumboldt Connection Suicide PreventionHumboldt Connection Suicide Prevention

Creating a "hope zone" in Humboldt County, Nevada

Creating a "hope zone" in Humboldt County, NevadaCreating a "hope zone" in Humboldt County, Nevada

Practice Active Listening

Hearing someone talk is different from actively listening to what that person is saying. Active listening requires concentration and understanding. Improving your listening skills is easy to do with practice and these helpful tips. 

acknowledge the speaker

This can be as simple as a head nod or an “Uh huh.” By acknowledging the speaker, you are letting them know that you are listening to what they have to say and reminding yourself to pay attention to what is being said to you. 

respond verbally

Asking questions or making statements may help clarify what the speaker is saying. It reminds the speaker that you are listening attentively and that you are here to help them and are truly concerned. Be sure to let the speaker finish talking before asking any questions. 

summarize what you hear

Reflecting on what the listener is saying is also a positive verbal active listening technique. By repeating, paraphrasing or even summarizing what the speaker has said shows that you are putting in effort to better understand them. Use phrases like: “what I’m hearing  is…”or, “sounds like you’re saying….” These tactics can also allow the speaker to hear what they are saying, which may help them find positive reinforcement. 

look the part

Keeping eye contact, maintaining good  posture, and staying focused are key components of active listening and  interpersonal communication. Being distracted and unfocused gives the speaker the impression that you aren’t paying attention. When you actively listen to someone, you are letting them know that you care about what they are saying and can  indicate that you are concerned for their health and safety.


Copyright © 2019 Humboldt Connection Suicide Prevention - All Rights Reserved

Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-8255