NPI Members Step Up to Support MHART by Cathryn Yarbrough, PhD When tornadoes struck Tennessee on March 2 and 3, 2020, and shortly thereafter COVID-19 arrived, Lizzie Harrigan, a long time NPI member, began to seriously pursue an idea she had been cultivating for some time. She dreamed of coordinating the volunteer spirit of Tennessee mental health professionals to serve the community. From her training and her work on the
National Association of Social Workers TN Chapter Executive Council, she knew the importance of community organizing. At the same time, Amanda Stone, working at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, sent out a request to multiple therapist groups seeking out those wanting to provide mental health support to Vanderbilt medical staff during a possible pandemic surge. Gina DelGardo, President of the Tennessee Psychological Association, reached out to the governor’s office to seek an avenue for psychologists to help with the mental health challenges of the pandemic. Cathryn Yarbrough and Cynthia Lucas of the Nashville Psychotherapy Institute were also seeking ways for their organization to respond proactively to the crisis. On April 3, 2020, this group of passionate mental health professionals met for the first time and began the arduous and exhilarating process of creating a way to fulfil their goals. They wanted to create a permanent way for Tennessee therapists to give back during this pandemic and during any future crisis. A huge amount of work allowed the project to move forward in record time. On April 25, 2020, the Mental Health Active Response Team incorporated as a nonprofit organization.
On May 12, 2020, the group launched their website, mharttn.org, designed pro bono by Nehmedia. The initial MHART goal was to create an emotional support line for healthcare workers and first responders. MHART planned for volunteer licensed mental health professionals to staff the line.The launch of the website began a frantic effort to recruit and train volunteers, which was done with the help of the TN Psychological Association, TN Counselors Association, TN Association of Licensed Pastoral Counselors, TN Association of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors, TN Association of Marriage & Family Therapists, TN Psychiatric Association, and many local organizations, including, of course, the Nashville Psychotherapy Institute. On May 20, 2020, Ryan O’Connell was hired as the Executive Director. Ryan brings extensive experience in project management, technology development and implementation, as well as data analysis, which he gained over the past twelve years working in consulting and healthcare firms. He has also served on the board of several Nashville-based non-profits. On May 26, through a collaboration with the State of Tennessee, the National Association of Social Workers Tn Chapter, and the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug & other Addiction Services (TAADAS), the Tennessee COVID-19 Emotional Support Line for Healthcare Workers (1-888-MHARTTN) went live. On May 28, 2020, Governor Bill Lee and Marie Williams, Commission of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, announced the support line at the governor's afternoon press conference. At the same time the state website launched its page promoting the support line, tn.gov/behavioral-health/emotional-support. MHART’s purchase of an internet phone contract, initial start up support staff and salary for the MHART Executive Director are being covered by a Tennessee SAMHSA grant administered by TAADAS and through the generosity of the National Association of Social Workers TN Chapter. The MHART website, www.mharttn.org, and its sophisticated software were created pro bono by Nehmedia. In addition, MHART has raised over $100,000 in private donations, even before attempting formal fundraising. The five mental health professionals (Lizzie Harrigan, LCSW, Chair; Amanda Stone, PhD; Cynthia Lucas, PhD; Gina DelGardo, PhD; and Cathryn Yarbrough, PhD.) who created MHART composed its initial Board of Directors. They were recently joined by Charlsey Gibson, LCSW, the newest board member. Additional community board members will be added in the future. (Continued on page 5)
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