Virtual listening circles as a community-based strategy for promoting post- pandemic mental health

Abstract

Introduction: in the post-pandemic context, community mental health has gained prominence due to the increased prevalence of emotional distress and social isolation. Integrative Community Therapy (ICT) emerges as an effective strategy to promote emotional well-being through active listening, the validation of popular knowledge, and the strengthening of supportive bonds.
Objective: to describe and systematize the themes, emotions, and coping resources shared by participants in virtual listening circles based on the ICT framework, and to explore their perceived impact on emotional well-being.
Methodology: this was a qualitative-descriptive observational study, conducted using, an anonymous self-administered survey. Ten virtual listening circles were held between September and November 2023. Participation records and 17 complete survey responses were analyzed using inductive categorization techniques.
Results: the majority of topics addressed were related to personal and social domains, with powerlessness emerging as the most frequent emotion. Shared resources were classified into seven categories, with self-care, personal growth, and relational dialogue being the most prominent. All survey respondents indicated they would recommend the experience, and over 90% reported
applying the strategies learned in their daily lives.
Conclusion: ICT-based virtual listening circles proved to be effective tools for promoting community mental health. They facilitated emotional expression, mutual recognition, and the creation of support networks, contributing to meaningful learning processes with lasting impact beyond the virtual sessions.