NYU Listening Labs: Experiments in Connection

One of our core offerings at Mindfulness Consulting is Listening Labs, a program designed to help college students feel heard and connected to one another. Our pilot program at NYU has served 2000+ students and is growing, with data showing significant decreases in loneliness, stress, and anxiety post-lab, and significant increases in the feelings of calm, being heard, understood and connected.

The Challenge: The Loneliness Epidemic among Young People

There is a staggering rise of loneliness and isolation amongst college students in the United States. Research shows that feelings of social isolation deeply impact the mental health and wellbeing of students. 

The Solution:

The Listening Labs program was pioneered at NYU by Yael Shy, Founder of Mindfulness Consulting to address the pressing need for authentic connection among students in academia by providing a structured yet open space for students to be heard, connect deeply, and enhance their listening skills.

Why Listening Labs Matter:

This program offers students a platform to enhance their listening abilities. It directly addresses the epidemic of loneliness, empowering students with essential skills for personal and professional success.

Impact and Outcomes:

Surveys and testimonials from participants underscore the transformative impact of the Labs. Pre- and post-session evaluations reveal significant decreases in feelings of loneliness, stress, and anxiety. Moreover, there's a substantial increase in feelings of being heard, relieved, connected, and understood. Data from sessions indicate high participant satisfaction rates, with an overwhelming majority expressing a desire to attend future Labs and recommend the experience to others.

Conclusion:

NYU Listening Labs is a pioneering model for increasing connection and listening skills and lowering loneliness levels among university students. Early data shows promising and exciting results for replication on other campuses, with other populations (graduate students, faculty, staff) and even other settings (corporations and non-educational institutions).

About the Creator:

Yael Shy, an esteemed figure in mindfulness initiatives, spearheaded this program, drawing upon her expertise and experience in fostering well-being in academic and corporate settings.