(MHART, continued from page 4)
Because Tennessee has been fortunate so far in avoiding the worst of the pandemic, the support line has, in fact, not been needed to the degree initially anticipated. Often volunteers will go an entire shift without receiving a call. For many this has been frustrating, as they had cleared their schedules to be available. For this reason MHART is piloting a new system that should give volunteers more freedom while still making the emotional support line available to callers. This new model uses a pool approach that creates pools of volunteers that might be able to answer the phone during a shift. This contrasts with the current shift-based where the individual signed up for the shift is the point person for answering any calls that come into the line. In addition, volunteers will have increased flexibility to put themselves on and take themselves off of shifts, whenever they find themselves with a free hour. Even though less is asked of any one volunteer, more volunteers will have to be recruited to make this model work. Anyone interested in volunteering can do so at mharttn.org/volunteer-registration. COVID-19 cases are spiking up in Tennessee, and there is a chance that in the near future the support line could be more needed than ever. In new developments, MHART is piloting a database of Tennessee therapists offering pro bono and discounted psychotherapy
for those on the front lines of the pandemic. We will soon be seeking volunteers for this project as well. Once we know the viability of the program, it may be offered throughout Tennessee. While healthcare workers and first responders are the current recipients of these efforts, MHART intends for this to be a model that will be used again and again whenever disaster strikes. Through the devastation of tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, pandemics and yet unimagined crises, MHART will harness the power of volunteerism to quickly respond to the mental health needs of Tennesseans.
Break the Skin by Barbara Sanders, LCSW Do we squeeze the breath out of
Feeling so familiar. Violence received,
Those who distress us just by
Violence repeated, just like
Their presence, those who offend
Every generation before ours.
Us just by being themselves?
Let us all gaze underneath
Do we break the skin of those
Break the Skin
Who seem different and
Our own cloaks of personable armor
Watch the blood flow
And witness those we have decimated by
All over our hands and feet?
Our thoughts, feelings and actions.
Please murmur the names of all
Only then can we each confess to ourselves
Those whom you may perceive
Atone for our mistakes and stand up bravely
To be less than human if
Preaching a new prophecy that
That is what you call yourselves.
Says STOP.
Please speak to their children,
This will not do.
To their partners and babies,
We cannot live this way anymore.
Their siblings and parents,
How can we make the necessary changes?
And tell them why.
Explore
Speak to me and tell me why
Confess
You lash out in such rage, fear,
Share
And perhaps pain. What was done
Listen well
To you, must you do to others?
Speak out
The unconscious stirs about,
And Breathe 5
