DEEP LISTENING SUMMIT: 170+ ORGANIZATIONS UNLOCKING WELLNESS

'Seeing with the Heart, Listening with the Ear' Summit Drives National Movement for Deep Listening

 A major national campaign championing the importance of "Deep Listening" culminated recently with the "Seeing with the Heart, Listening with the Ear Summit." The event brought together representatives from over 170 organizations—a ninefold increase from the previous year—to distill lessons, exchange operational experiences, and collaboratively chart the future direction of the movement.
 

Organized by the Volunteer Development Bank (JitArsa Bank) in collaboration with its spiritual health network and supported by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), the campaign designated every November as the "National Month of Listening." The initiative aims to advance listening as a crucial mechanism for resolving relational issues, fostering empathy, building positive social connections, and ultimately creating a healthy society.

Dr. Sorrayut Ratanapojnard, Co-founder & Co-director of JitArsa Bank, emphasized the profound impact of the concept: "Listening forms the foundation of spiritual health and well-being. Crucially, every problem can be ameliorated through listening. The enhanced involvement from diverse sectors demonstrates that effective listening-promotion activities can be implemented by anyone."

Dr. Sorrayut noted the goal for the coming year is to increase organizational ownership, viewing listening as the starting point for mental care and mutual support to enhance institutional resilience against escalating crises.

Cross-Sector Reflections on Listening's Power

The Summit provided a platform for participants from various sectors—including medical, educational, and academic institutions—to share tangible successes:

Healthcare Transformation: Dr. Radchada Sahaworakulsak, a Rehabilitation Medicine Physician at Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital, detailed the hospital’s two-year journey in integrating deep listening. She noted that applying listening skills—which involves using the 'heart' more than the 'head'—significantly improved internal staff communication and patient relationships. "We were able to organize more than fifty activities with no additional budget needed," she stated.

Education and Empathy: Mr. Lertsak Jamklay, Disciplinary Teacher at Sacred Heart Convent School, described how he transformed the school's disciplinary approach from strict rules to 'mutual understanding' by training over 180 teachers in listening. Students who participated in listening activities reflected that, beyond helping others, the experience "broadened their perspective and added considerable dimension to their lives."

Life-Saving Academic Support: Asst. Prof. Dr. Narumon Emarat of Mahidol University's Faculty of Science, who ran the 'Listenian Space' for university personnel and students, shared compelling data. She reported that almost 100% of participants who came to share stories were experiencing distress, and 80–90% reported feeling 'significantly relieved' after the conversation. "I believe listening can truly 'save lives,' especially when a person feels they have nowhere else to turn," she concluded.

The consensus among all attendees was that deep listening is a crucial, high-impact tool for building a supportive society and improving mental well-being across all organizational levels.