When Sheilly applied to volunteer with Hey Sam, the opportunity to work with other young people caught her attention. “I didn’t see that in other helplines—it was unique.”
Sheilly has been providing support to her peers since September 2022. She enjoys providing a listening ear to people who may not have anyone else in their lives to reach out to, but she also appreciates what Hey Sam has given her in return. “The skills I’ve learned through Hey Sam have helped me support my friends and family in a much better way. I feel like I have an easier time understanding how to approach hard conversations.”
She also sees how those skills will help in her career as she pursues a master’s degree in genetic counseling—a service that involves providing patients and their families with information about genetic disorders and risks. “I’ll be working with people going through hard times, and it will be valuable to have skills to help them.”
Whether talking to Hey Sam texters or people in her everyday life, Sheilly feels it is important to allow people to open up. “A lot of people don’t have someone that is willing to hear them out and provide support. Being that person and creating that space is important. Everyone can do that.”
Working with Hey Sam, I’ve learned so much—not just about being empathetic and providing support, but also about ways I can reach out for help and communicate better.
Text Hey Sam
If you are a young person in need of support, send a text to: 439-726
