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Abstract
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... The Newton Hotline, one of many springing up all over the country, is run by teens for teens under the direction of Frederick Whitmeyer, a young research associate at Harvard Business School. Set up a little over a year ago, its objective is to help young people help themselves. Teens taking calls never impose their own values on those of the caller and they don't give advice. What they try to do is point out the consequences of a particular problem, discuss it, and guide the troubled caller into solving it in his own way.
If the person answering the phone is in doubt as to how to cope with the situation or feels another point of view is vital, more than one person may be "patched" in to listen and help. Although a psychiatric social worker meets with the volunteers every other week to discuss things, she does not answer the phones. Mr. Whitmeyer stresses that youth seems to understand youth best, being a part of the same culture and lifestyle. Older people generally turn off and tend to be too judgmental. Should a referral be necessary, physicians, clergy, medical clinics, and drug-oriented therapy groups are detailed on a master list. To understand what really goes on at referral places, volunteers visit them and speak with them on the phone.
How are volunteers chosen for the hotlines? First they are interviewed by a committee consisting of two or three experienced volunteers who must feel they're sincere, interested in helping others, and willing to learn. Then they come to work meetings held weekly at Frederick Whitmeyer's home. Next they sign up to observe the hotline in action and talk about what they've seen and heard. They continue to attend meetings where they join in role playing with five- or ten-minute simulated conversations...
Reprinted with permission from Co-ed (August 1970, 15 (10), 18, 23, 60), copyright 1970 by Scholastic Magazines, Inc.
Language: en |