This book reveals how the Agora Crisis Center volunteer model has saved lives for 52 years and counting. The Agora model proves that:
compassion is learnable and transformative for volunteers, taking only a small amount of training
non-judgmental listening creates an open space for people in crisis to feel, heal, and rebuild autonomy
warmth and sufficient time are essential ingredients in navigating a crisis
The Agora model has better outcomes and costs less than professional interventions, but despite this durable, ongoing success, the national US response to suicide crisis is going in the opposite direction: away from welcoming, unhurried, warm, and vulnerable human connections - towards more expensive, professional, rushed, and business-like interactions.
Review: Star Ford has captured the beautiful spirit of the many people who volunteer at Agora and other volunteer helplines across the country. The importance of encouraging volunteerism and community empathy cannot be stressed enough, especially in times when many of us are feeling isolated and anxious about the future. It is an honor to work with so many people who are willing to give their time to selflessly help strangers who are in distress. Molly Brack, Agora Clinical Director
Review: This book was absolutely incredible! There were so many paragraphs and pages where I found myself crying because what I was reading was putting into words feelings or experiences I've had that it has felt are rarely, if ever, understood by mental health professionals. As someone who has used crisis lines many times, I can definitely attest to how much more helpful Agora has been to me than many professionally staffed crisis lines (which at times have been downright harmful). I feel that the volunteers at Agora have truly helped me to stay alive and to get to a point where I no longer need to call crisis lines very often at all. I am incredibly grateful for this book, and for Agora, and would recommend this book to literally everyone because I feel there is so much written here that we all need as humans in need of connection, regardless of if someone is or isn't interested in mental health. Please read Listen, People! AJ
