Helpline or 988 MSW Intern

Description

Type: Part-time, unpaid internship

Reports to: Helpline Manager and Director of Crisis & Support operations

Office Location: 224 W. Hill St., Suite 410 Chicago IL

Schedule offered: TBD; 16 hours/week

Background

The mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago: Guided by the experiences of those living with mental health conditions and rooted in equity, NAMI Chicago educates to fight stigma and discrimination, fiercely advocates for our community, and shares hope, connection and expertise with people on their mental health journey.

Who We Are Looking For

The Helpline or 988 MSW intern will be part of the Crisis & Support Operations team to support NAMI Chicago’s mission by providing direct support to individuals and families seeking support from the NAMI Chicago Helpline or the 988 call center. Both call centers provides information, resource referrals and emotional support to people living with a mental health condition, their family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public. The 988 call center is part of the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline network and fields calls from individuals who are struggling with a suicidal or an emotional crisis. Through empathic, active listening, MSW interns gain understanding of concerns that led to caller engagement with the call centers and explore subsequent needs. MSW interns often support individuals and families with sensitive human service issues while projecting a non-judgmental attitude that allows those requiring assistance to feel heard and supported as they navigate the healthcare system.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree, strong customer service skills, strong verbal and written communication skills and some prior experience with the mental health system of care including crisis response.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Provide telephonic, text and chat support, education, information, assessment of need and referrals to individuals and families specific to mental and emotional health needs.
• Engage in de-escalation, safety planning, risk assessment, and emotional support for those needing crisis intervention.
• Maintain contact notes, agency resource records, and other documentation using NAMI Chicago’s database system.
• Engage in follow-up contacts as needed to provide ongoing support, safety planning and resource navigation.
• Assist contacts in problem-solving, goal setting and communication skills building.
• Coach people through navigating service access, specifically the mental health and social service resources and support available to people throughout Chicago and Cook County.
• Ability to multitask during a contact e.g., remaining engaged in conversation, documenting information, assessing needs, and identifying responses to the contacts needs.
• Exemplify NAMI Chicago’s team approach by participating in case review, supporting coworkers, and attending scheduled trainings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.
  
  

Essential Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Strong desire to learn about the systems of care in Illinois and Cook County, as well as how to integrate information from the classroom to the internship.
• Ability to make real-time rapid assessments of the contact, dexterity in judgement and navigation of a conversation, recognition of appropriate utilization of leadership support and self-regulation of response to interactions with contacts.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with those in crisis,?their families and community stakeholders.
• Exhibits sensitivity and empathy regarding human service issues and projects a non-judgmental attitude towards those requiring assistance.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and show professionalism, reliability, and responsibility.
• Familiar with community resources.
• Growth mindset
  
  

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree and experience in human service field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and database management.
• Experience in telephonic and/or chat/text outreach, crisis, and case management preferred
• Ability to multi-task and excellent organizational skills. This includes attention to detail, problem-solving, and time management
• Experience with text and chat functionality welcomed
• Experience with youth and young adults and mental health preferred
  
  

NAMI Chicago is an inclusive employer, we welcome and encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Veterans, Differently Abled, Returning Citizens and All Who Are Dedicated to Mental Health to Apply.