With mental health problems peaking due to the pandemic, we've seen several campaigns recently (from advertising inlcuding Fitbit, Skillshot and ITV) addressing the issue. The latest comes from mobile brand Three, which is trying to encourage people to be better listeners on the phone to a friend in need, as part of a partnership with the charity Samaritans. 

A series of animated films, created by Wonderhood Studios, use bouncing spheres to illustrate different types of listening "personalities." For example, the "attention splitter," who gets distracted by something else while listening to a friend; the "filler," who tries to fill awkward silences or the "interviewer," who only asks yes or no questions. Each encourages the viewer to think about ways to become a "better phone friend." The ads, which are running on U.K. TV as well as online and as radio spots, also direct viewers to check out a website of tips on how to listen better.

“The films are a powerful way to create a moment of calm in our busy lives, whilst raising awareness of the important of listening,” said Three’s Director of Marketing for U.K. and Ireland Aislinn O’Connor, in a statement. “At Three we believe that we can all be better listeners—and Better Phone Friends—by making that call, listening and connecting to our loved ones.”

“We’ve all had a tough year and we felt any way we could help people get through such a difficult time is incredibly important,” added Jack Croft and Stacey Bird, creative directors at Wonderhood Studios. “Working with Samaritans was an eye-opener for us all and we have come away from the project with a new outlook on how to listen to our nearest and dearest and even more respect for the volunteers at Samaritans.”

Though the project debuts ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week in the U.K. and coincides with the start of Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S.