Break the Skin

(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 viabil

ity 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.

by Barbara Sanders, LCSW

Do we squeeze the breath out of

Those who distress us just by Their presence, those who offend Us just by being themselves? Do we break the skin of those Who seem different and Watch the blood flow All over our hands and feet? Please murmur the names of all Those whom you may perceive To be less than human if

That is what you call yourselves. Please speak to their children, To their partners and babies, Their siblings and parents, And tell them why. Speak to me and tell me why You lash out in such rage, fear, And perhaps pain. What was done To you, must you do to others? The unconscious stirs about, Feeling so familiar. Violence received,

Violence repeated, just like Every generation before ours. Let us all gaze underneath Break the Skin Our own cloaks of personable armor And witness those we have decimated by Our thoughts, feelings and actions. Only then can we each confess to ourselves Atone for our mistakes and stand up bravely Preaching a new prophecy that

Says STOP. This will not do. We cannot live this way anymore. How can we make the necessary changes? Explore Confess Share Listen well Speak out And Breathe