Volunteer Needs in the Community

Requests for Volunteers from our Mental Health Partners around the State

Crisis Intervention Center

General Agency Information
The Crisis Intervention Center (Crisis Center) meets the needs of Middle Tennesseans every hour of every day. Founded in 1968 to prevent suicide and provide crisis services through a 24-hour hotline, today we also provide crisis counseling and information about area resources for callers whose struggles include financial problems, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental illness.

A sample of our calls include:

• A mother whose 6-year-old is out of control and who fears she may lose her temper and become abusive.
• A 12-year-old girl threatening to run away from home because she was being teased at school.
• A middle-aged woman whose father committed suicide on Valentine’s Day.
• A man in his 30’s, angry at the legal system for not giving him custody of his young son and threatening to kill his ex-wife and her boyfriend.
• A wheelchair-bound woman whose electricity is being cut off by the power company.
• A young mother looking for the nearest domestic violence shelter that will take in her and her children.
• An unemployed 40-year old man needing root canal work.
• A 60-year old caller looking for an affordable drug treatment center for her crack-addicted daughter.
• An adult child wanting help in caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Such problems, un-addressed, often lead to other problems such as alcohol/drug abuse, child abuse, depression, homicide, and suicide. Callers in crisis, those who need emotional support, or those wanting assistance with basic needs such as food, housing, and affordable health services speak with trained crisis counselors and information specialists. Our counselors help callers identify their most pressing needs, explore options, form action plans, set goals, and/or agree to accept referrals.Counselors:

• Provide callers with the opportunity to talk about their problems and feelings without being judged.
• Help callers consider healthy options.
• Help callers form workable solutions and plans of action.
• Provide information about appropriate and affordable or free resources such as government and private social service agencies, churches, daycare centers, support groups, 12-step programs, and legal, medical, or mental health services and assist callers in contacting those resources.
• Persuade suicidal or homicidal callers to agree to a no-harm contract, to a follow-up call, or to our sending emergency help.

A Crisis Center Professional Ladder encourages telephone counselors at three levels:

Crisis Associate
Awarded when a trainee has completed the initial 40-hour training session, participated in supervised on-the-job training, been favorably evaluated, and have completed 20 hours on the telephone counseling lines.

Crisis Specialist
Awarded when a Crisis Associate has completed one year of continued active telephone counseling experience, fulfilled the required number of in-service hours, and received favorable evaluations.

Senior Crisis Specialist
Awarded when the Crisis Specialist has completed the required number of telephone counseling and in-service hours and has acquired additional training in or outside the Center by attending seminars or workshops relevant to their telephone counseling experience. This level may also be attained by active assistance with training of new volunteers, participation in the Speaker’s Bureau, and/or other service to the Center in addition to telephone counseling.
A person must have been at the Crisis Specialist level for at least two years before they can be considered for the Senior Crisis Specialist level. He or she must exhibit exceptional counseling skills, knowledge of case management policies and procedures, an accepting and non-judgmental attitude toward clients, and a cooperative attitude toward colleagues.
Awarding of the Senior Crisis Specialist title will be based on a performance evaluation and will be determined jointly by the Executive Director, Crisis Services Director, and Volunteer Services Coordinator.

Student Placement
Opportunities are available for students at the Crisis Center for practicums and student volunteer services. We offer a wide range of learning experiences, ranging from telephone crisis counseling to projects that will benefit our community. Students will gain experience in talking with people in crisis, resource referral, and developing an understanding of life experiences and diagnoses that people call for counseling and support. An excellent training program is available to provide the skills necessary to begin your experience with the Crisis Center. Call Bren at 615-298-3359 ext. 237 to gain more information.

Volunteer & Student Placement Opportunities
There are four main areas in which Crisis Center volunteers and students can invest their time and make a difference at the Crisis Center. Each area contains many volunteer opportunities to suit a variety of strengths and personalities. Volunteers are welcome to experience as many of these opportunities as they have time for and are comfortable exploring. Each opportunity will provide a unique volunteer experience and allow an individual to get to know other staff and volunteers so they can really feel like a part of the Crisis Center team. We invite you to get involved at whatever level works for you!

I. Crisis Counselor Opportunities

Telephone Counseling- volunteers are needed for telephone counseling shifts for the Crisis Center’s 24/7 schedule.

Speaker’s Bureau/Outreach- volunteers can speak on behalf of the Crisis Center, thereby increasing community awareness of the center, recruiting other volunteers, and educating the public about suicide prevention and mental health issues.

Training- volunteers can assist with computer training, act as role-play facilitators, and assist with in-service training.

Survivors of Suicide (SOS)- volunteers can assist with the SOS program, which helps those who have lost someone to suicide with free support groups, newsletters, and a yearly candlelight remembrance event.

Depression Screening- there are opportunities for trained volunteer telephone counselors to help with two or three depression screenings per year. Tables are set up in assorted public places (malls, schools, etc.). Members of the public are invited to fill out a simple standardized depression screening form and speak with trained Crisis Center staff/volunteers. Volunteers are needed to meet and greet passersby, hand out test for Depression Screening, Bipolar Disorder, General Anxiety, or PTSD. Also needed are Scorers to look over completed screening tools and tally participants' test scores (This is very straightforward and easy-it takes just a couple of minutes to learn). And finally, Counselors are needed to meet one-on-one with people who have taken the test. This is done behind cardboard privacy screens. Counselors talk with people about their test results, about any symptoms they are experiencing, and inform them about helping resources. Pretty much like telephone counseling, only face-to-face!

II. Fund Raising Opportunities

• Nashville Song Search- a world-class international country song-writing contest. We need volunteers to contact associations of songwriters; distribute posters to music venues, restaurants, music stores, and music-related businesses; contact potential sponsors; judge entries (music professionals); spread the word about the contest; plan/give/help with contest-related parties; organize a silent auction; and donate items for a silent auction.
• January 2004 Concert- a benefit concert. We need volunteers to donate event-planning expertise (as a sponsor); donate flowers (as a sponsor); design programs (as a sponsor); print programs (as a sponsor); donate money to secure the venue (as a sponsor).
• Hecht’s Department Stores annual event- we need volunteers to organize the event; to sell tickets; and/or work at one of the Hecht’s stores during the sale.
• Southern Living Cook-Off- we need volunteers to organize the event and volunteers to sign up for a four-hour shift at the event.
• Parisian Department Stores annual event- we need volunteers to organize the event; to sell tickets; and/or work at one of the Hecht’s stores during the sale.

III. Volunteer Retention Opportunities

• Volunteer Committee- the purpose of the Volunteer Committee is to provide support and assistance to the Volunteer Services Director. The committee consists of 8-12 volunteers, recruited from the active volunteer pool. Generally, we try to recruit volunteers with varying terms of service. It is always beneficial to have input from brand new trainees as well as experienced volunteers. This committee assumes responsibility for various projects, some proposed by the Volunteer Services Director and some by members of the committee itself.
• Volunteer/Staff Retreat- this event is generally scheduled for the Fall. It lasts at least one entire day and sometimes includes an overnight. Several mini-committees are formed to (1) locate and reserve the site, (2) plan the food, (3) set the agenda, which always includes free/fun time like volleyball, ping pong, or hiking, depending on the site, and (4) clean up afterwards.
• Volunteer Appreciation Dinner- although the yearly Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is usually planned by staff, there have been years when the committee has been involved. The advantage of this is twofold: it lessens stress for Volunteer Services Director, and it gives volunteers ownership in the dinner and often promotes attendance.
• Mentors- during and after the quarterly training, more experienced volunteers provide support, encouragement, and guidance to trainees. Mentors call trainees on a regular basis or are available for calls from the trainee. Mentors may come in with trainees for a couple of shifts to discuss and debrief calls.
• Newsletter- volunteers are encouraged to provide stories and columns for the quarterly newsletter. They can also assist the Volunteer Services Director with formatting and preparing the newsletter for distribution.

IV. Building/Grounds Maintenance Opportunities

• Building- minor repairs such as plumbing (faucet repair) and electrical (switches, replacing bulbs).
• Grounds- help with grass cutting, trimming shrubs, planting flowers (seasonal), and general upkeep and appearance.
• Larger Projects-volunteers are welcome to participate as needed with larger projects such as painting rooms. We can only take on the large projects with your help.

Since 1968 the Crisis Center has been providing life saving services to our community. Our volunteers continue to be a crucial part of the Crisis Center. Without the support of community members like you, we would not be able to provide such important services for people in need.

We appreciate your interest in helping others. If you have any questions, concerns, or simply want more information about becoming a volunteer, please contact Melanie at 615-298-3359, Extension 228. You will find working with our extraordinary, loving community to be a rewarding and life-enhancing experience. Together we will learn more about ourselves, each other, and the world we live in.