September 16, 2025 • 35 mins
On today’s episode, we’re spotlighting PSI’s English Helpline - an incredible, FREE resource available to anyone! The PSI Helpline is NOT a crisis hotline. It is a toll-free telephone number anyone can call or text to get basic information, support, and resources related to mental health during pregnancy, post-loss, and the postpartum periods.
For this conversation, we’re bringing in an expert - the lovely Lisa Zeitlin, a licensed clinical social worker, Perinatal Mental Health-Certified specialist, and the English Helpline & Intervention Manager here at Postpartum Support International. She does a fantastic job of answering all of our burning questions!
So, if you are in need of non-emergency support, know someone who is, or are just interested in learning more – sit back, relax, and enjoy this special episode spotlighting PSI's English Helpline!
Mentioned in today's episode:
- PSI's Helpline
- Call 1-800-944-4773 (#1 En Español, #2 in English).
- Text “Help” to 800-944-4773 (English)
- Text en Español 971-203-7773
- Connect to PSI Helpline via web form
- Volunteer on PSI's Helpline
- PSI's Perinatal Consultation Program
Interested in sharing your story?
Fill out our podcast interest form here!
Questions about the I AM ONE Podcast?
Email Dani Giddens - dani@postpartum.net
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Visit PSI's website: https://www.postpartum.net
Find free resources & info on certification, training, and other incredible programs!
Call or text 'HELP' to the PSI Helpline: 1-800-944-4773
Not feeling like yourself? Looking for some support? You never need a diagnosis to ask for help.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (U.S. only): 1-833-852-6262
Free and confidential Hotline for parents, providers & support people in English and Spanish.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S. & Canada): 988
Free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for p...
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dani (00:00):
Welcome to the I Am One podcast.
On today's episode, we'respotlighting PSI's English
Helpline, an incredible freeresource available to anyone.
It's a toll-free number thatanyone can call or text to get
basic information, support, andresources related to mental
health during pregnancy,post-loss, and the postpartum
periods.
(00:21):
For this conversation, we'rebringing in an expert, the
lovely Lisa Zeitlin, a licensedclinical social worker,
perinatal mental healthcertified specialist, and the
English helpline andintervention manager here at
Postpartum SupportInternational.
Lisa does a fantastic job ofanswering all of our burning
questions.
So if you are interested innon-emergency support, know
(00:42):
someone who is, or justinterested in learning more, sit
back, relax, and enjoy thisepisode spotlighting PSI's
English helpline.
Emily (00:53):
Lisa, welcome to the studio.
I'm so excited to do thisbecause 17 years ago, I called
what was then the warmline, andleft a voicemail, and someone
called me back.
This isn't about me! This isabout the warmline.
So, Lisa, tell us a little bitabout yourself and then let's
(01:15):
dive into what it is that you dohere.
Lisa (01:18):
Hello, everybody.
My name is Lisa Zeitlin.
My pronouns are she/her, and Icurrently live on the West
Coast.
I'm in Los Angeles at themoment.
My role at Postpartum SupportInternational is the English
helpline and interventionmanager.
So the majority of my time issupporting our English helpline.
Emily (01:38):
Ooh, ooh, here's what else I want to know.
What is your favoritecontroversial pizza topping?
Dani (01:45):
Oh, not on the list of questions.
We're flying by the seat of ourpants here.
Lisa (01:49):
Controversial...
Um, I keep it pretty low-key onmy pizza.
Emily (01:56):
But you live in LA.
Lisa (01:58):
Yes.
We don't usually- so here's thething.
Like my partner and I, we don'teat pizza a lot.
Like it's not part of our justlike regular repertoire.
Like it's probably once ortwice a month, maybe.
Is that a lot?
Is that a little?
I'm not sure.
Dani (02:14):
That's pretty normal.
Emily (02:14):
That's a normal amount of pizza consumption.
Lisa (02:16):
Is that normal?
Okay.
Okay.
Yeah, maybe like once a month,maybe.
I don't know.
I gotta reevaluate that.
But I'll usually do like aregular cheese pizza, but then
have sauces to dip.
Emily (02:31):
Yes.
So I'm a dipper.
Dani (02:33):
Favorite sauce?
Um, sweet baby raised.
Oh, BBQ.
Lisa (02:37):
I do a BBQ sauce.
That's my go-to.
It makes everything a barbecuepizza.
Dani (02:45):
Oh.
Yes!
Lisa (02:46):
So, yeah, so that's what I do.
Emily (02:47):
Why have I never thought of this?
We're big sauce people.
So yeah, we like to havedifferent options of sauces on
our plate.
Yes.
You should see.
It's like so many sauces.
Dani (03:01):
Just you open the refrigerator and you're like,
where are the vegetables?
There are none, just sauce.
Lisa (03:06):
It's sauces.
It's sauce city, yeah.
Yeah.
Well, with that, I think wecould probably wrap up the
episode.
Emily (03:12):
I love it.
Lisa (03:13):
That's it!
Great.
Just kidding.
Lisa, we're so happy to haveyou here.
I'm so happy to hang out with y'all.
Dani (03:22):
Okay.
So that was a lovely intro.
We want to know all about PSI'sEnglish helpline.
And I'm emphasizing Englishbecause we have an English
helpline and a Spanish helpline,right?
Lisa (03:36):
Correct.
So if you call 800-944-4773,you could either press one for
Spanish or you can press two forEnglish.
And if you were to press twofor English, that's where you
can leave a confidentialvoicemail and a volunteer will
reach back out to you.
The helpline is a warm line.
(03:59):
So volunteers that are on donot answer calls live.
So whenever a help seeker,whenever somebody wants to reach
out to us for support, forresources, for referrals, they
would call 800-944-4773.
And if you'd like to beconnected to the Spanish
(04:19):
helpline, you would press one.
Dani (04:21):
Great.
Lisa (04:22):
But if you'd like to connect to the English helpline,
you would press two, and thenyou would leave a confidential
voicemail.
And you can leave a voicemail24 hours a day whenever you
would like.
Our hours of operation are 8a.m.
to 11 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time, so-
That's good to know.
(04:42):
Yeah.
So you could leave a voicemailat any time.
You could also text us at anytime, but we will reach back out
to you within those businesshours or hours of operation when
a volunteer comes into theirshift.
And then a volunteer will callback or respond to your text
that's been waiting in thequeue.
Dani (05:01):
I think that is so cool because Emily, a long time ago,
like 17 years ago.
Emily (05:06):
Yep.
Sorry, not to put a number onit, but oh, well I did.
You called and left a message.
I did.
I would have definitely feltmore comfortable sending a text
message because, it just, to mejust felt a little less scary.
Maybe it's because I'm amillennial, I don't know.
So am I...
barely.
Dani (05:24):
Oh, okay.
That's...
anyway.
But anyway, not about us.
Lisa (05:30):
I digress.
But I think that is reallycool, because everybody's kind
of got a different comfort zonearound how they communicate with
folks.
So people can call the numberor they can text, awesome.
Yes, yes.
Dani (05:43):
Very cool.
So yeah, so folks can call,folks can text.
And then there's also anotheroption actually on the website,
you go to postpartum.net, youcan actually fill out an online
form.
Oh.
Lisa (05:56):
So there's actually three ways.
Emily (05:58):
And they all end up in your queue, right?
Like, no matter what.
Lisa (06:02):
Exactly.
Yeah, exactly.
So however somebody wants totake that step.
Yeah.
There is those three options.
And whoever reaches back out toyou will be a very
compassionate, warm,non-judgmental person who is
volunteering their time toconnect back to other human
(06:25):
beings.
Emily (06:25):
Yeah.
Dani (06:26):
Does it cost anything for a help seeker?
Lisa (06:28):
Nope.
Dani (06:29):
Wow.
It does not cost anything.
Yeah.
It's not for emergencies, it'sfor non-emergent emotional
support for perinatal mentalhealth, in particular.
Emily (06:38):
Right.
But does not cost anything.
It's a completely free supportservice for folks that want to
reach out.
Dani (06:46):
So-
Okay, can I ask a question?
Oh, sure.
Perinatal, so that's likeduring pregnancy or postpartum.
But I'm asking because I knowthe answer.
Does this include post-loss,post-termination of a pregnancy?
Or what if you're desperatelytrying to get pregnant?
Have you ever had someone callfor that too?
Lisa (07:07):
We have.
Absolutely.
Anyone who is connected withsomeone as well who is going
through and navigating whateverit is they're navigating in that
time.
So in the perinatal period,like you had said, pregnant,
postpartum, post-lost partnersthat are navigating alongside
(07:28):
them, families.
Emily (07:31):
Like grandma, or grandpa, or like an older sister, or an
aunt, or whoever could also.
Or a friend.
Yeah.
Dani (07:38):
Yeah.
Lisa (07:38):
Any and all.
Emily (07:39):
Like, I'm worried about my friend.
Lisa (07:40):
Any and all.
Absolutely.
Yep.
Yep.
We get that.
We get a lot of folks that arerecognizing that their loved one
or someone that they'reconcerned about just isn't
themselves.
Emily (07:52):
Yeah.
Lisa (07:53):
And they're noticing that and they're reaching out for
guidance.
They're reaching out for, youknow, for education themselves.
They're reaching out for howcan I support my partner or what
else can I do?
Or how can I help my sisterduring this time?
And um-
Dani (08:11):
Like, I know they need help, but maybe they don't have
capacity to look for atherapist, or to-
Lisa (08:18):
Absolutely.
Dani (08:18):
find a support group, or something like that.
Lisa (08:22):
Or getting connected with a coordinator that's local in
your area or specialized group.
Absolutely.
Yeah, we're here for any andall, and-
Emily (08:29):
Yeah.
Lisa (08:29):
anybody can reach out.
Emily (08:31):
That's so good.
I love it.
Dani (08:32):
So, what's the turnaround time?
Did you say within 24 hours, or48, or?
Yeah, that's a great question.
Operationally, we never getoutside that 24-hour window.
So if someone were to reach outto our helpline right now, it's
11:35 a.m.
Eastern Standard.
Our volunteers have 24 hours toget back to them.
Okay.
Lisa (08:52):
But it's our goal to not get close to that.
So it's our goal to reach outas soon as we get it.
Dani (09:00):
Yeah.
Do you guys keep data aboutthat?
Like, what's the average actualturnaround time?
Lisa (09:06):
That's a great question.
We don't, but every day I amoperating from the lens of
checking the queues.
And each day the time resets.
It's 24 hours, and I'm alwaysoperating from that 24 hours.
Dani (09:22):
Yeah.
But when we add volunteers toour shifts and to our staff,
we're getting closer and closerto not hitting that at all.
So the volunteers that are onour helpline are incredible.
Emily (09:36):
Yeah.
Incredible human beings.
And they are always doingquality- taking the texts or
taking the calls that they havecapacity for that day.
Right.
Lisa (09:47):
And while also keeping- it's my job to keep the 24-hour
window in mind.
Like that's me, that's not onmy volunteers, so...
Dani (09:55):
They get on their shift, they're looking at the queue,
and they're like, okay, let'sget information to folks?
Okay.
They do what they can that daybecause a lot of our volunteers
are survivors, are impacted, aswell from perinatal mental
health.
So it is healing and part oftheir journey too.
Emily (10:13):
Totally.
Lisa (10:14):
We have an admin team where they can come to us for
any support, anything that mightcome up, anything that they
would just want to, like,debrief about or even just want
to chat with us.
Dani (10:24):
Like, I haven't encountered this question
before.
Here's what I was thinking ofsaying, like, kind of bounce
ideas off?
Lisa (10:29):
Yeah, bounce ideas, but then also like, hey, I'm
connecting with a help seekerand I'm really hearing myself,
or hearing my story in theirstory.
And I don't really know what todo with that.
And that's what-
Or I'm not ready for that.
Yeah, that too.
Like there's always an optionof like, this is a little bit
too much for me today.
Can I get support?
(10:50):
Or can I place this text backin the queue?
And then that's when maybemyself or somebody else on our
team, or even another volunteermaybe would take that.
Emily (11:00):
That's cool.
Lisa (11:01):
It's part of their healing journey, too, to give back
and to be the voice or thevalidation they did not receive
in their time of that process.
Dani (11:09):
That is so cool.
We just like very naturallykind of went into the next set
of questions we had, becausewe've touched on who calls in as
a help seeker.
And then we wanted to ask a bitmore about the volunteers.
So these are not necessarily-you don't have to be a therapist
to volunteer on the helpline?
Lisa (11:28):
No.
Dani (11:29):
Who volunteers?
Lisa (11:30):
I first want to say those who volunteer are absolutely
compassionate, caring, wonderfulhuman beings.
Like, I cannot say that enough.
These folks are taking threehours of their week and putting
that into supporting others.
And so first and foremost,these are wonderfully
(11:50):
compassionate people that reallyhonestly truly care, and want
to make sure that the personthat they're supporting is
getting what they need duringthat conversation.
So they are trained, they'retrained by PSI, they go through
a process.
And I like to think of it asthe training or the onboarding
really never stops, because Ifeel like you can never stop
(12:15):
learning and growing, and it's awhole lot to be a support
person for somebody else.
And so the training neverstops, the growing never stops,
and the volunteers are supportedby PSI staff, like we had
mentioned.
Emily (12:30):
Yeah.
But the volunteers are folkswith lived experience, whether
it was them personally that wentthrough it, whether it was a
person that was supportinganother person in their journey.
And it's also professionals ofmany different kinds, so there
are some mental healthprofessionals that happen to be
(12:50):
in this volunteer role.
They're not in their mentalhealth therapy capacity, they're
wearing that volunteer peersupport hat.
There's also accountants,there's physical therapists that
are on there.
There are folks that arewriters, there's just people.
And I do also want to say whois not on the helpline is any AI
(13:12):
bot or any type of artificialintelligent being.
This is supported and the callsand the text are responded to
by human beings.
Dani (13:24):
That was not a question that we had on our list, and I'm
so glad that you mentionedthat.
Emily (13:29):
Yes.
Lisa (13:29):
Yeah.
It happens a lot because whenyou're reaching out, oftentimes
in customer service or any typeof capacity, there's the, I am a
chat bot and my name is, andit's like a human name.
Emily (13:43):
Right.
So there's been many times, andI think our volunteers, they
really bring their genuine humanself.
So I hope that help seekers andfamilies realize that they are
really connecting, but justwanting to set the record
straight that no AI bots aresupporting our help seekers.
It's not gonna happen.
Dani (14:04):
Not gonna happen.
Powered by people.
Lisa (14:06):
Yeah, powered by people.
Emily (14:08):
There's no algorithm that could give a computer the
ability to hold space the waythat a person can hold space.
Lisa (14:16):
Yeah.
Emily (14:17):
Like that's tough.
Or like, let's take a deepbreath together.
Or, you know.
Lisa (14:23):
Yeah, that just relaxed me, I'm sorry.
Just like...
Dani (14:27):
Uh, Emily almost put Lisa to sleep.
There we go.
Uh, our guest is napping now.
Lisa (14:33):
Exactly.
I mean, but that's such atestament to what you were
literally just saying.
A lot of times, what I havenoticed in conversation with
others who are seeking support,it's they want that human to
human connection that maybethey're just like not receiving
during this time, or you know,they're feeling like really
(14:55):
isolated or just feeling veryoverwhelmed, and they just want
another human being to listenand be in the same space with
them.
Whether it's on a call or on atext.
Dani (15:04):
Right.
Emily (15:05):
Yes.
Dani (15:06):
This is such a cool resource. Lisa, what do you want
help seekers to know about thehelpline?
Lisa (15:14):
So many things.
Um...
Well, we don't have all day,Lisa! I'm just kidding.
Where do I begin?
Where do I end?
I don't know if I have reallyemphasized this enough, but you
are connecting with anotherhuman being who truly, honestly,
really, really, really cares.
I really want to say that firstand foremost.
(15:36):
That help seekers who reachout, or those who are thinking
about reaching out, or thosethat, you know, just like
placing this as a resource intheir back pocket if and
whenever they just want to lethelp seekers know, families
know, people know that they arenot alone.
That we exist and this helplineexists, and that all of these
(15:58):
resources exist because we seeyou, and we want to listen and
we want to share the resourcesand the referrals and supportive
next steps and to give options.
That there are options and thatwe're here in any capacity that
we can in this role.
And if there is something thatyou need beyond what we can
(16:20):
provide, we can get you to thatnext step in that path.
So I like to think of ourservice, and yeah, I don't want
to speak for every PSI service,but at least on the helpline, I
like to think of us as like abridge– that you can stay on the
bridge, you can reach out tothe bridge, you can go back to
(16:41):
the bridge– but we want to makesure that you're getting to the
right next step in the pathbeyond the bridge.
And the bridge is always here,right?
Connecting you and you canalways come back.
Emily (16:52):
Yes.
Lisa (16:53):
We're available and we want to be here to support.
And there are resources andreferrals that we can provide to
you to get that long-termsupport that you so deserve.
And so, what's the word?
I think this is just a feelingthat's coming up, right?
Like there's just like reallynot words.
(17:14):
It's like we truly, honestlywant our help seekers to get the
right support at the righttime.
Emily (17:19):
Right.
Lisa (17:19):
And if you find us, we're going to connect with you.
We're gonna hear you, we'regonna be here, we're gonna sit
beside you, and we want you toget what you need.
Emily (17:30):
Right.
Dani (17:30):
When you need it.
Which sometimes means peoplecome back to the bridge.
Like they get a connection.
I mean, finding a goodtherapist is like dating, it
takes time and effort.
Lisa (17:42):
Absolutely.
And the people who are reachingout to the helpline have
diminished capacity.
Dani (17:47):
Yeah.
Emily (17:48):
Right?
Dani (17:49):
It's hard to ask for help and it's okay to ask for help.
And the cool thing is so manypeople, it sounds like volunteer
on the helpline, either use thehelpline or really needed the
helpline and didn't use it whenthey needed it.
Lisa (18:01):
Yep.
Dani (18:02):
Know that so many of the people that you're gonna be
connected with have maybe notexperienced exactly the same
thing as you, but they've beenin a similar place to you where
they needed somebody to reachtheir hand out and help them get
the resources that they needed.
So that is so cool.
Lisa (18:18):
And I also want to add a little bit more to that, kind of
going back to the idea of whois the help seeker that's
showing up on the other end ofthe line.
And our help seekers are theexperts of their own life,
right?
They're bringing themselves toanother human being, showing up
exactly where they are.
(18:38):
And these are people that knowtheir lives best.
Sometimes they don't know whatto do next, and that is okay.
Emily (18:47):
Right.
Sometimes help seekers show upand they're like, I know exactly
what I need.
I need a therapist, I need adoula, I need a lactation
consultant, and that's okay too.
Wherever somebody is, is likeexactly where they are, and
we're gonna meet them there.
And we're going to provide thebest support that we can in that
(19:08):
moment and get them to thatnext step.
You know, when the text isended, when the phone call is
done, want to make sure thatwhatever they needed, they can
receive and they can call back.
They can text back.
Dani (19:23):
Yeah.
Yeah, because maybe you thoughtbeing connected to a therapist
was like the one thing youneeded, but maybe you might need
something else.
So you call back and, oh right.
You know, somebody on the otherend of the helpline says, Hey,
have you thought about thissupport group?
Lisa (19:38):
Yeah.
Dani (19:38):
No?
There's actually one happeningtomorrow afternoon if you're
available.
I wonder if that might be ofinterest to you.
And...
Exactly.
Exactly.
It's okay to try different things, right?
Lisa (19:49):
Yeah.
And I think giving them optionsin a way that they're ready to
receive it is also reallyimportant too.
Sometimes folks, you know,we'll give a support group,
we'll give coordinators, we'llkind of give everything, and
they're just like, it's good toknow this.
I'm not ready yet, but I knowthat it exists.
And thank you for letting meknow, and thank you for giving
(20:11):
me the space, I know what to donext.
Emily (20:14):
Does some of what your volunteers do include– they're
talking to someone, they'relike, I'm Emily, I'm on shift
right now, so I'm available tochat with you?
And then does it also includethings like, I want to pass
along this set of resources?
Like I just, I'm gonna send youa couple of links to like,
(20:34):
things on PSI's website, orwhatever.
Does it include stuff likethat?
But it's like, I'm gonna sendyou this, but like, let's keep
talking.
That's not part of theconversation, necessarily?
Lisa (20:45):
It's so help seeker by help seeker.
Dani (20:48):
Got it.
Lisa (20:48):
Right.
Like we really do sit in thespace with each help seeker,
really listening, and we can'tpredict what they need, right?
Like, and it's not the goal oflike saying the perfect thing or
like, what should I say in thistext next?
Perfection is not the goal.
Emily (21:09):
If it was, AI could do it, because there would be a
formula.
Lisa (21:12):
Exactly.
Exactly, exactly.
And so I try to tell myselftoo, as I'm connecting with help
seekers, like, perfection isnot the goal.
It's this space that is supersacred, and that's where the
magic happens, and it's thelistening, and it's really being
in connection andcompassionate, supportive care
with somebody else.
That is the goal.
Emily (21:33):
Yeah.
The goal isn't to solve it forthem.
Lisa (21:36):
We can't.
We can't fix.
We're not fixers.
We're not able to come in,because again, the help seeker
is the expert of their own life,and maybe what would work for
me might not be, you know,helpful for you in that moment.
And so again, I personally as asupport person, a peer support
(21:56):
person, like to give options.
And then when someone isreaching out to us, starting off
with those open-ended questionsfirst, trying to give them the
space of, well, you know, howdid you find us?
What made you reach out today?
What's currently happening?
Tell me more about that.
Using that peer support lens,not my therapy lens, and taking
(22:20):
it from a strengths-basedperspective of: you have already
found us.
I'm so glad that you found us.
Emily (22:27):
Yes.
There's so many times where I'mlike, I just want to give you,
like, the biggest hug, and Ijust I don't, I don't want you
to have to suffer anymore.
You don't have to suffer withthe right help, the right help
for you, things can be better.
You are not alone.
We exist, and there's a wholeorganization and so many more,
(22:48):
as well, that have niche andspecializations.
We exist because this is real.
We know it's real.
We hear you.
This is not in your head, thisis not your fault, you are not
to blame.
And there's so many people thatare reaching out that are like,
I don't know what's happening,but something's happening.
Dani (23:04):
Kudos to everybody who reaches out.
Emily (23:06):
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's a hard thing to do.
I mean, for some people.
Lisa (23:10):
Yeah.
It's courageous.
Dani (23:12):
There's so many opportunities to compare
ourselves to other people.
And if we're not seeing peoplehaving a hard time-
Lisa (23:19):
Yeah.
Dani (23:19):
or hearing people don't have it all together, or aren't
super happy every second withtheir circumstances, then it's
like hard to say the insidethoughts on the outside.
Emily (23:30):
I was just thinking that.
Like the amount of effort thatit took to self-assess, identify
that I feel off enough, I feelsomething that isn't right, and
then to decide to do somethingabout it.
And then to go on the journeyto find, Googling, or whatever,
(23:51):
to get to the helpline, to makethe call, or to text, or to fill
out that form.
The number of steps that ittook to get there while you're
not okay.
Lisa (24:04):
Yeah.
Emily (24:05):
Basically makes you a superhero.
Dani (24:07):
Yeah.
I wouldn't say basically, Iwould say it makes you a
superhero.
Emily (24:12):
Yeah.
Dani (24:13):
Yeah.
I think so.
And the volunteers that aretaking calls and texts are also
holding that space too, of like,we know what it takes and what
it has taken you to get here.
Yes.
We're so glad you're here.
We're so glad that you foundus.
Yeah.
Okay.
So listen.
Now that we're all like teary.
Basically, everybody's asuperhero.
(24:34):
So come join the club.
Emily (24:38):
Basically.
Dani (24:40):
Okay.
What would you like providersto know about the helpline,
Lisa?
Lisa (24:46):
First, I'd like the providers to know that we're a
phone number that can be addedto any paperwork, discharge
paperwork, can be shared withthem verbally, however they are
giving out information of theirresources and referrals.
Emily (25:05):
Your auto-reply email!
Dani (25:07):
If you have patients thinking about starting a
family, if you know somebody'sovulating...
I'm just kidding.
Lisa (25:12):
If you're seeing human beings, I think that our
information should be everywherein all places.
Emily (25:19):
If you have an auto-reply email that gets sent out, the
number should be in it.
Lisa (25:23):
Yeah, absolutely.
Dani (25:25):
Call the helpline.
Lisa (25:25):
Call the helpline.
So yeah, first and foremost,like, a lot of providers will
call us to just be like, justwanted to see what the process
felt like.
I wanted to make sure that thisis a resource that I can send
my patients to.
I want to just set the recordstraight that we are a resource
that you can add.
Emily (25:45):
Kudos to those providers for doing extra homework.
Yeah.
Like I was gonna say, they'redoing extra credit.
Lisa (25:51):
Yeah.
It shouldn't be extra creditthough.
You know?
Emily (25:55):
I mean...
You know, just kind ofsprinkling that in there.
Let's make sure this number actually works?
Lisa (26:01):
Yeah.
I like that they know aboutresources for the folks that
they're supporting.
I think that when I left thehospital, I had a photocopied
piece of paper and it was like,you might feel sad.
Mm-hmm.
Dani (26:14):
Postpartum depression.
And then it like listed adefinition, and I was like, hmm.
Well, hindsight's 2020.
The difference it would make ifsomebody was like, if, you
know, you're having a hard timeand it just kind of feels like
you're off, maybe just notfeeling like yourself.
It's common.
Lisa (26:31):
Yeah.
And here are some resources youcan call in and ask questions
they'll help you get connectedto, you know, some other
resources, if that will helpyou.
That does remind me too, for providers, but also help
seekers, like you do not need adiagnosis to reach out to get
any help.
Again, if you're just feelinglike something is not right, if
(26:55):
you're feeling like you haven'tbeen able to connect with your
doctor yet, and in the meantime,you want, you know, resources
and maybe even some education onpotentially what you know
you're navigating, we're herefor that too.
So no diagnosis needed.
For providers in particular,something that comes up for me
is that our helpline isn't aresource for consultation,
(27:19):
especially for prescribers inparticular.
Like, that is not our service.
We have a fantasticconsultation line, psychiatric
consultation line at PSI.
Dani (27:29):
Can I shout out the I Am One podcast for a second?
Emily (27:31):
Oh my god.
Dani (27:32):
We have an episode all about this.
So if you're a prescriber,check out episode...
We'll link it in the shownotes.
Yeah, we'll link it in theshow notes, with Dr.
Nicole Taylor-
Lisa (27:43):
Yeah.
Dani (27:43):
all about PSI's psychiatric consultation
program.
Lisa (27:46):
That's the spot to go to.
If you're a provider who islooking for consultation on
something that you're seeing inyour practice, that's not what
the helpline is.
And we can provide providers,you know, links back to our PSI
resources if they do reach out.
An additional thing that Ithink is important to say is
that if a provider does give ourinformation out, letting your
(28:11):
patients know or clients knowthat we're not 24 hours.
And so if they want theirpatient, client to be connected
with someone immediately, theywould either call the National
Maternal Mental Health Hotlineat 833-852-6262.
They're call and text 24/7.
(28:32):
So middle of the night, youneed to connect with somebody,
or it's during the day and youfor whatever reason just want to
text or call somebody.
The hotline.
An additional 24-hour servicethat we give out to any and all
that can hear us, receiveinformation, is 988 Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline.
They are also 24/7 and they areavailable.
(28:54):
Call, text.
They have a chat on theirwebsite.
Yeah.
So-
Very cool.
Wanting to say that.
Those are numbers that we giveout to all human beings.
So
Amazing.
We will put links to all that.
Emily (29:08):
Yes.
In the show notes.
Lisa (29:09):
Love that.
Dani (29:10):
So if help seekers are looking for a link or a phone
number, same for providers.
So, is there anything else thatwe didn't ask about that we
want to mention in this specialepisode?
Lisa (29:23):
And I don't know if I want to say this on record or not,
but, like, our volunteers showup every week, and I'm just
like, thank you so much.
Dani (29:32):
Thanks for coming.
Lisa (29:33):
Seriously, like there's nothing forcing them to do this.
Like, this is truly just basedoff of their heart and wanting
to be in space for other people.
It's like every week I'm justlike, thank you so much for
being here.
Dani (29:49):
Does your heart just explode?
Lisa (29:51):
I remember starting in this role and being like, they
keep showing up each week.
Like this is like incredible!
Dani (29:57):
Like, we're not even bringing cookies in.
Like refreshments or anything.
They're just...
That's how much ourvolunteers love this work.
And that is also true of otherPSI programs as well.
Like I can only speak to thehelpline, but we have, gosh, an
entire, can I say, army ofperinatal mental health
(30:19):
advocates, and volunteers, andstaff that are just doing the
work every day and just beingpulled.
It is pretty incredible.
Lisa (30:28):
It really is.
Dani (30:29):
We know all too well that PS I couldn't provide the free
resources to parents ,andproviders, and, you know, all
the people, if it weren't forour volunteers.
It's amazing.
And yeah, so there is a minimumwe do ask of folks to stay with
us for at least a year.
We have a lot of volunteersthat have been here for many
(30:53):
years.
Emily (30:54):
Yeah.
Lisa (30:55):
But we do ask that.
Emily (30:56):
Sure.
Dani (30:57):
Do you accept volunteer applications on a rolling basis?
Is there like a window of timewhen the application is open and
then it stops, or?
That's a really great question.
Thank you, I'm here to bring all the great questions.
You're so good at this.
So good at this.
Lisa, go on.
Um, our interest form is alwaysopen to receive new volunteers,
(31:24):
yeah.
Okay.
Lisa (31:26):
Our operational needs kind of shift and flow, and we have
a lot of human beings that areinterested in volunteering with
us.
So it's really a big puzzlepiece.
Dani (31:39):
Yeah.
So there's an interest form foranybody interested in
volunteering on the helpline.
There's an interest form.
We'll drop a link in the shownotes.
And as needed, you can reachout to folks who filled out the
interest form to see if they'restill available.
Is that basically how it works?
Okay.
Lisa (31:53):
There's so much room for those really compassionate,
kind, wonderful human beingsthat want to give back in
whatever capacity that lookslike.
Emily (32:02):
I mean, I signed up to volunteer on the helpline.
I did a couple of shifts, itmade me so nervous.
Not everyone who fills out theinterest form is gonna get that
role.
Like, I found another role atPSI.
I love it.
I'm happy here.
But it took a little bit offiguring out what played to my
natural strength.
Lisa (32:23):
Completely.
And I cannot do what y'all do.
Like, I am telling you, like,your skills and your ability to
run the climb program and to runthis podcast.
Like you're laughing, but it's-I don't want you to laugh
because...
No laughing.
(32:44):
Because your skills, and whatyou bring, and just your
personality.
I feel like I cannot do this.
I cannot do what you do.
So-
Emily (32:52):
This is why we fangirl each other.
Yeah.
Because we each have adifferent skill set, and we have
found the right place, and sowe get to, like, let it shine,
which is cool.
You're doing great.
Dani (33:04):
Oh, you too.
So are you, yeah.
Okay.
Well, with that, Emily, isthere anything else that we want
to mention?
This very special episode aboutthe helpline.
Emily (33:13):
Lisa, can you tell us the number again?
And do they call and text thesame number?
Lisa (33:18):
The postpartum support international helpline's phone
number is 800-944-4773.
You press one for Spanish, youpress two for English.
That's for a phone call toleave a voicemail.
Emily (33:32):
Okay.
Lisa (33:32):
The 800-944-4773 is where you would text the English
helpline.
Got it.
Dani (33:40):
Is there a Spanish text helpline?
Is that a different number?
Lisa (33:44):
It is a different number.
So to text in Spanish, it's971-203-7773.
Dani (33:52):
And we are going to have an entire episode about um,
well, episode zzz aboutresources that we have in
Spanish, including the Spanishhelpline.
So if you're hearing thisepisode, hopefully sometime soon
after you're listening to this,there will be an episode about
the helpline on español.
So hop on over, scroll throughour episode list, and look for
(34:14):
that one.
But Lisa, thank you for sharingall about PSI's English
helpline and what it's like forhelp seekers, what it's like for
folks volunteering on the line.
Lisa (34:27):
Thanks for having me.
Dani (34:28):
We appreciate you.
Emily (34:29):
Thanks for finding us.
Meaning PSI.
You found PSI, and now you getto celebrate every time someone
finds PSI.
Like, how beautiful is that?
Lisa (34:37):
It's awesome.
Emily (34:38):
It's pretty cool.
Dani (34:39):
So, uh, for everybody out there listening, call us or text
us.
Just come on over.
We heart you.
Let's be friends.
Thanks for tuning in to the IAm One podcast.
Check out today's show noteswhere we'll drop links to all
the important things that wementioned in this episode.
Please consider sharing about IAm One on social media and
(35:00):
following and rating our showwherever it is that you listen
to podcasts.
It only takes a minute of yourtime, and well, that'll help
with our collective mission ofbringing resources and local
support to folks worldwide.
From everyone here at PSI,thanks again for listening.
Welcome to the I Am One podcast.
On today's episode, we'respotlighting PSI's English
Helpline, an incredible freeresource available to anyone.
It's a toll-free number thatanyone can call or text to get
basic information, support, andresources related to mental
health during pregnancy,post-loss, and the postpartum
periods.
(00:21):
For this conversation, we'rebringing in an expert, the
lovely Lisa Zeitlin, a licensedclinical social worker,
perinatal mental healthcertified specialist, and the
English helpline andintervention manager here at
Postpartum SupportInternational.
Lisa does a fantastic job ofanswering all of our burning
questions.
So if you are interested innon-emergency support, know
(00:42):
someone who is, or justinterested in learning more, sit
back, relax, and enjoy thisepisode spotlighting PSI's
English helpline.
Emily (00:53):
Lisa, welcome to the studio.
I'm so excited to do thisbecause 17 years ago, I called
what was then the warmline, andleft a voicemail, and someone
called me back.
This isn't about me! This isabout the warmline.
So, Lisa, tell us a little bitabout yourself and then let's
(01:15):
dive into what it is that you dohere.
Lisa (01:18):
Hello, everybody.
My name is Lisa Zeitlin.
My pronouns are she/her, and Icurrently live on the West
Coast.
I'm in Los Angeles at themoment.
My role at Postpartum SupportInternational is the English
helpline and interventionmanager.
So the majority of my time issupporting our English helpline.
Emily (01:38):
Ooh, ooh, here's what else I want to know.
What is your favoritecontroversial pizza topping?
Dani (01:45):
Oh, not on the list of questions.
We're flying by the seat of ourpants here.
Lisa (01:49):
Controversial...
Um, I keep it pretty low-key onmy pizza.
Emily (01:56):
But you live in LA.
Lisa (01:58):
Yes.
We don't usually- so here's thething.
Like my partner and I, we don'teat pizza a lot.
Like it's not part of our justlike regular repertoire.
Like it's probably once ortwice a month, maybe.
Is that a lot?
Is that a little?
I'm not sure.
Dani (02:14):
That's pretty normal.
Emily (02:14):
That's a normal amount of pizza consumption.
Lisa (02:16):
Is that normal?
Okay.
Okay.
Yeah, maybe like once a month,maybe.
I don't know.
I gotta reevaluate that.
But I'll usually do like aregular cheese pizza, but then
have sauces to dip.
Emily (02:31):
Yes.
So I'm a dipper.
Dani (02:33):
Favorite sauce?
Um, sweet baby raised.
Oh, BBQ.
Lisa (02:37):
I do a BBQ sauce.
That's my go-to.
It makes everything a barbecuepizza.
Dani (02:45):
Oh.
Yes!
Lisa (02:46):
So, yeah, so that's what I do.
Emily (02:47):
Why have I never thought of this?
We're big sauce people.
So yeah, we like to havedifferent options of sauces on
our plate.
Yes.
You should see.
It's like so many sauces.
Dani (03:01):
Just you open the refrigerator and you're like,
where are the vegetables?
There are none, just sauce.
Lisa (03:06):
It's sauces.
It's sauce city, yeah.
Yeah.
Well, with that, I think wecould probably wrap up the
episode.
Emily (03:12):
I love it.
Lisa (03:13):
That's it!
Great.
Just kidding.
Lisa, we're so happy to haveyou here.
I'm so happy to hang out with y'all.
Dani (03:22):
Okay.
So that was a lovely intro.
We want to know all about PSI'sEnglish helpline.
And I'm emphasizing Englishbecause we have an English
helpline and a Spanish helpline,right?
Lisa (03:36):
Correct.
So if you call 800-944-4773,you could either press one for
Spanish or you can press two forEnglish.
And if you were to press twofor English, that's where you
can leave a confidentialvoicemail and a volunteer will
reach back out to you.
The helpline is a warm line.
(03:59):
So volunteers that are on donot answer calls live.
So whenever a help seeker,whenever somebody wants to reach
out to us for support, forresources, for referrals, they
would call 800-944-4773.
And if you'd like to beconnected to the Spanish
(04:19):
helpline, you would press one.
Dani (04:21):
Great.
Lisa (04:22):
But if you'd like to connect to the English helpline,
you would press two, and thenyou would leave a confidential
voicemail.
And you can leave a voicemail24 hours a day whenever you
would like.
Our hours of operation are 8a.m.
to 11 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time, so-
That's good to know.
(04:42):
Yeah.
So you could leave a voicemailat any time.
You could also text us at anytime, but we will reach back out
to you within those businesshours or hours of operation when
a volunteer comes into theirshift.
And then a volunteer will callback or respond to your text
that's been waiting in thequeue.
Dani (05:01):
I think that is so cool because Emily, a long time ago,
like 17 years ago.
Emily (05:06):
Yep.
Sorry, not to put a number onit, but oh, well I did.
You called and left a message.
I did.
I would have definitely feltmore comfortable sending a text
message because, it just, to mejust felt a little less scary.
Maybe it's because I'm amillennial, I don't know.
So am I...
barely.
Dani (05:24):
Oh, okay.
That's...
anyway.
But anyway, not about us.
Lisa (05:30):
I digress.
But I think that is reallycool, because everybody's kind
of got a different comfort zonearound how they communicate with
folks.
So people can call the numberor they can text, awesome.
Yes, yes.
Dani (05:43):
Very cool.
So yeah, so folks can call,folks can text.
And then there's also anotheroption actually on the website,
you go to postpartum.net, youcan actually fill out an online
form.
Oh.
Lisa (05:56):
So there's actually three ways.
Emily (05:58):
And they all end up in your queue, right?
Like, no matter what.
Lisa (06:02):
Exactly.
Yeah, exactly.
So however somebody wants totake that step.
Yeah.
There is those three options.
And whoever reaches back out toyou will be a very
compassionate, warm,non-judgmental person who is
volunteering their time toconnect back to other human
(06:25):
beings.
Emily (06:25):
Yeah.
Dani (06:26):
Does it cost anything for a help seeker?
Lisa (06:28):
Nope.
Dani (06:29):
Wow.
It does not cost anything.
Yeah.
It's not for emergencies, it'sfor non-emergent emotional
support for perinatal mentalhealth, in particular.
Emily (06:38):
Right.
But does not cost anything.
It's a completely free supportservice for folks that want to
reach out.
Dani (06:46):
So-
Okay, can I ask a question?
Oh, sure.
Perinatal, so that's likeduring pregnancy or postpartum.
But I'm asking because I knowthe answer.
Does this include post-loss,post-termination of a pregnancy?
Or what if you're desperatelytrying to get pregnant?
Have you ever had someone callfor that too?
Lisa (07:07):
We have.
Absolutely.
Anyone who is connected withsomeone as well who is going
through and navigating whateverit is they're navigating in that
time.
So in the perinatal period,like you had said, pregnant,
postpartum, post-lost partnersthat are navigating alongside
(07:28):
them, families.
Emily (07:31):
Like grandma, or grandpa, or like an older sister, or an
aunt, or whoever could also.
Or a friend.
Yeah.
Dani (07:38):
Yeah.
Lisa (07:38):
Any and all.
Emily (07:39):
Like, I'm worried about my friend.
Lisa (07:40):
Any and all.
Absolutely.
Yep.
Yep.
We get that.
We get a lot of folks that arerecognizing that their loved one
or someone that they'reconcerned about just isn't
themselves.
Emily (07:52):
Yeah.
Lisa (07:53):
And they're noticing that and they're reaching out for
guidance.
They're reaching out for, youknow, for education themselves.
They're reaching out for howcan I support my partner or what
else can I do?
Or how can I help my sisterduring this time?
And um-
Dani (08:11):
Like, I know they need help, but maybe they don't have
capacity to look for atherapist, or to-
Lisa (08:18):
Absolutely.
Dani (08:18):
find a support group, or something like that.
Lisa (08:22):
Or getting connected with a coordinator that's local in
your area or specialized group.
Absolutely.
Yeah, we're here for any andall, and-
Emily (08:29):
Yeah.
Lisa (08:29):
anybody can reach out.
Emily (08:31):
That's so good.
I love it.
Dani (08:32):
So, what's the turnaround time?
Did you say within 24 hours, or48, or?
Yeah, that's a great question.
Operationally, we never getoutside that 24-hour window.
So if someone were to reach outto our helpline right now, it's
11:35 a.m.
Eastern Standard.
Our volunteers have 24 hours toget back to them.
Okay.
Lisa (08:52):
But it's our goal to not get close to that.
So it's our goal to reach outas soon as we get it.
Dani (09:00):
Yeah.
Do you guys keep data aboutthat?
Like, what's the average actualturnaround time?
Lisa (09:06):
That's a great question.
We don't, but every day I amoperating from the lens of
checking the queues.
And each day the time resets.
It's 24 hours, and I'm alwaysoperating from that 24 hours.
Dani (09:22):
Yeah.
But when we add volunteers toour shifts and to our staff,
we're getting closer and closerto not hitting that at all.
So the volunteers that are onour helpline are incredible.
Emily (09:36):
Yeah.
Incredible human beings.
And they are always doingquality- taking the texts or
taking the calls that they havecapacity for that day.
Right.
Lisa (09:47):
And while also keeping- it's my job to keep the 24-hour
window in mind.
Like that's me, that's not onmy volunteers, so...
Dani (09:55):
They get on their shift, they're looking at the queue,
and they're like, okay, let'sget information to folks?
Okay.
They do what they can that daybecause a lot of our volunteers
are survivors, are impacted, aswell from perinatal mental
health.
So it is healing and part oftheir journey too.
Emily (10:13):
Totally.
Lisa (10:14):
We have an admin team where they can come to us for
any support, anything that mightcome up, anything that they
would just want to, like,debrief about or even just want
to chat with us.
Dani (10:24):
Like, I haven't encountered this question
before.
Here's what I was thinking ofsaying, like, kind of bounce
ideas off?
Lisa (10:29):
Yeah, bounce ideas, but then also like, hey, I'm
connecting with a help seekerand I'm really hearing myself,
or hearing my story in theirstory.
And I don't really know what todo with that.
And that's what-
Or I'm not ready for that.
Yeah, that too.
Like there's always an optionof like, this is a little bit
too much for me today.
Can I get support?
(10:50):
Or can I place this text backin the queue?
And then that's when maybemyself or somebody else on our
team, or even another volunteermaybe would take that.
Emily (11:00):
That's cool.
Lisa (11:01):
It's part of their healing journey, too, to give back
and to be the voice or thevalidation they did not receive
in their time of that process.
Dani (11:09):
That is so cool.
We just like very naturallykind of went into the next set
of questions we had, becausewe've touched on who calls in as
a help seeker.
And then we wanted to ask a bitmore about the volunteers.
So these are not necessarily-you don't have to be a therapist
to volunteer on the helpline?
Lisa (11:28):
No.
Dani (11:29):
Who volunteers?
Lisa (11:30):
I first want to say those who volunteer are absolutely
compassionate, caring, wonderfulhuman beings.
Like, I cannot say that enough.
These folks are taking threehours of their week and putting
that into supporting others.
And so first and foremost,these are wonderfully
(11:50):
compassionate people that reallyhonestly truly care, and want
to make sure that the personthat they're supporting is
getting what they need duringthat conversation.
So they are trained, they'retrained by PSI, they go through
a process.
And I like to think of it asthe training or the onboarding
really never stops, because Ifeel like you can never stop
(12:15):
learning and growing, and it's awhole lot to be a support
person for somebody else.
And so the training neverstops, the growing never stops,
and the volunteers are supportedby PSI staff, like we had
mentioned.
Emily (12:30):
Yeah.
But the volunteers are folkswith lived experience, whether
it was them personally that wentthrough it, whether it was a
person that was supportinganother person in their journey.
And it's also professionals ofmany different kinds, so there
are some mental healthprofessionals that happen to be
(12:50):
in this volunteer role.
They're not in their mentalhealth therapy capacity, they're
wearing that volunteer peersupport hat.
There's also accountants,there's physical therapists that
are on there.
There are folks that arewriters, there's just people.
And I do also want to say whois not on the helpline is any AI
(13:12):
bot or any type of artificialintelligent being.
This is supported and the callsand the text are responded to
by human beings.
Dani (13:24):
That was not a question that we had on our list, and I'm
so glad that you mentionedthat.
Emily (13:29):
Yes.
Lisa (13:29):
Yeah.
It happens a lot because whenyou're reaching out, oftentimes
in customer service or any typeof capacity, there's the, I am a
chat bot and my name is, andit's like a human name.
Emily (13:43):
Right.
So there's been many times, andI think our volunteers, they
really bring their genuine humanself.
So I hope that help seekers andfamilies realize that they are
really connecting, but justwanting to set the record
straight that no AI bots aresupporting our help seekers.
It's not gonna happen.
Dani (14:04):
Not gonna happen.
Powered by people.
Lisa (14:06):
Yeah, powered by people.
Emily (14:08):
There's no algorithm that could give a computer the
ability to hold space the waythat a person can hold space.
Lisa (14:16):
Yeah.
Emily (14:17):
Like that's tough.
Or like, let's take a deepbreath together.
Or, you know.
Lisa (14:23):
Yeah, that just relaxed me, I'm sorry.
Just like...
Dani (14:27):
Uh, Emily almost put Lisa to sleep.
There we go.
Uh, our guest is napping now.
Lisa (14:33):
Exactly.
I mean, but that's such atestament to what you were
literally just saying.
A lot of times, what I havenoticed in conversation with
others who are seeking support,it's they want that human to
human connection that maybethey're just like not receiving
during this time, or you know,they're feeling like really
(14:55):
isolated or just feeling veryoverwhelmed, and they just want
another human being to listenand be in the same space with
them.
Whether it's on a call or on atext.
Dani (15:04):
Right.
Emily (15:05):
Yes.
Dani (15:06):
This is such a cool resource. Lisa, what do you want
help seekers to know about thehelpline?
Lisa (15:14):
So many things.
Um...
Well, we don't have all day,Lisa! I'm just kidding.
Where do I begin?
Where do I end?
I don't know if I have reallyemphasized this enough, but you
are connecting with anotherhuman being who truly, honestly,
really, really, really cares.
I really want to say that firstand foremost.
(15:36):
That help seekers who reachout, or those who are thinking
about reaching out, or thosethat, you know, just like
placing this as a resource intheir back pocket if and
whenever they just want to lethelp seekers know, families
know, people know that they arenot alone.
That we exist and this helplineexists, and that all of these
(15:58):
resources exist because we seeyou, and we want to listen and
we want to share the resourcesand the referrals and supportive
next steps and to give options.
That there are options and thatwe're here in any capacity that
we can in this role.
And if there is something thatyou need beyond what we can
(16:20):
provide, we can get you to thatnext step in that path.
So I like to think of ourservice, and yeah, I don't want
to speak for every PSI service,but at least on the helpline, I
like to think of us as like abridge– that you can stay on the
bridge, you can reach out tothe bridge, you can go back to
(16:41):
the bridge– but we want to makesure that you're getting to the
right next step in the pathbeyond the bridge.
And the bridge is always here,right?
Connecting you and you canalways come back.
Emily (16:52):
Yes.
Lisa (16:53):
We're available and we want to be here to support.
And there are resources andreferrals that we can provide to
you to get that long-termsupport that you so deserve.
And so, what's the word?
I think this is just a feelingthat's coming up, right?
Like there's just like reallynot words.
(17:14):
It's like we truly, honestlywant our help seekers to get the
right support at the righttime.
Emily (17:19):
Right.
Lisa (17:19):
And if you find us, we're going to connect with you.
We're gonna hear you, we'regonna be here, we're gonna sit
beside you, and we want you toget what you need.
Emily (17:30):
Right.
Dani (17:30):
When you need it.
Which sometimes means peoplecome back to the bridge.
Like they get a connection.
I mean, finding a goodtherapist is like dating, it
takes time and effort.
Lisa (17:42):
Absolutely.
And the people who are reachingout to the helpline have
diminished capacity.
Dani (17:47):
Yeah.
Emily (17:48):
Right?
Dani (17:49):
It's hard to ask for help and it's okay to ask for help.
And the cool thing is so manypeople, it sounds like volunteer
on the helpline, either use thehelpline or really needed the
helpline and didn't use it whenthey needed it.
Lisa (18:01):
Yep.
Dani (18:02):
Know that so many of the people that you're gonna be
connected with have maybe notexperienced exactly the same
thing as you, but they've beenin a similar place to you where
they needed somebody to reachtheir hand out and help them get
the resources that they needed.
So that is so cool.
Lisa (18:18):
And I also want to add a little bit more to that, kind of
going back to the idea of whois the help seeker that's
showing up on the other end ofthe line.
And our help seekers are theexperts of their own life,
right?
They're bringing themselves toanother human being, showing up
exactly where they are.
(18:38):
And these are people that knowtheir lives best.
Sometimes they don't know whatto do next, and that is okay.
Emily (18:47):
Right.
Sometimes help seekers show upand they're like, I know exactly
what I need.
I need a therapist, I need adoula, I need a lactation
consultant, and that's okay too.
Wherever somebody is, is likeexactly where they are, and
we're gonna meet them there.
And we're going to provide thebest support that we can in that
(19:08):
moment and get them to thatnext step.
You know, when the text isended, when the phone call is
done, want to make sure thatwhatever they needed, they can
receive and they can call back.
They can text back.
Dani (19:23):
Yeah.
Yeah, because maybe you thoughtbeing connected to a therapist
was like the one thing youneeded, but maybe you might need
something else.
So you call back and, oh right.
You know, somebody on the otherend of the helpline says, Hey,
have you thought about thissupport group?
Lisa (19:38):
Yeah.
Dani (19:38):
No?
There's actually one happeningtomorrow afternoon if you're
available.
I wonder if that might be ofinterest to you.
And...
Exactly.
Exactly.
It's okay to try different things, right?
Lisa (19:49):
Yeah.
And I think giving them optionsin a way that they're ready to
receive it is also reallyimportant too.
Sometimes folks, you know,we'll give a support group,
we'll give coordinators, we'llkind of give everything, and
they're just like, it's good toknow this.
I'm not ready yet, but I knowthat it exists.
And thank you for letting meknow, and thank you for giving
(20:11):
me the space, I know what to donext.
Emily (20:14):
Does some of what your volunteers do include– they're
talking to someone, they'relike, I'm Emily, I'm on shift
right now, so I'm available tochat with you?
And then does it also includethings like, I want to pass
along this set of resources?
Like I just, I'm gonna send youa couple of links to like,
(20:34):
things on PSI's website, orwhatever.
Does it include stuff likethat?
But it's like, I'm gonna sendyou this, but like, let's keep
talking.
That's not part of theconversation, necessarily?
Lisa (20:45):
It's so help seeker by help seeker.
Dani (20:48):
Got it.
Lisa (20:48):
Right.
Like we really do sit in thespace with each help seeker,
really listening, and we can'tpredict what they need, right?
Like, and it's not the goal oflike saying the perfect thing or
like, what should I say in thistext next?
Perfection is not the goal.
Emily (21:09):
If it was, AI could do it, because there would be a
formula.
Lisa (21:12):
Exactly.
Exactly, exactly.
And so I try to tell myselftoo, as I'm connecting with help
seekers, like, perfection isnot the goal.
It's this space that is supersacred, and that's where the
magic happens, and it's thelistening, and it's really being
in connection andcompassionate, supportive care
with somebody else.
That is the goal.
Emily (21:33):
Yeah.
The goal isn't to solve it forthem.
Lisa (21:36):
We can't.
We can't fix.
We're not fixers.
We're not able to come in,because again, the help seeker
is the expert of their own life,and maybe what would work for
me might not be, you know,helpful for you in that moment.
And so again, I personally as asupport person, a peer support
(21:56):
person, like to give options.
And then when someone isreaching out to us, starting off
with those open-ended questionsfirst, trying to give them the
space of, well, you know, howdid you find us?
What made you reach out today?
What's currently happening?
Tell me more about that.
Using that peer support lens,not my therapy lens, and taking
(22:20):
it from a strengths-basedperspective of: you have already
found us.
I'm so glad that you found us.
Emily (22:27):
Yes.
There's so many times where I'mlike, I just want to give you,
like, the biggest hug, and Ijust I don't, I don't want you
to have to suffer anymore.
You don't have to suffer withthe right help, the right help
for you, things can be better.
You are not alone.
We exist, and there's a wholeorganization and so many more,
(22:48):
as well, that have niche andspecializations.
We exist because this is real.
We know it's real.
We hear you.
This is not in your head, thisis not your fault, you are not
to blame.
And there's so many people thatare reaching out that are like,
I don't know what's happening,but something's happening.
Dani (23:04):
Kudos to everybody who reaches out.
Emily (23:06):
Yeah.
Yeah.
It's a hard thing to do.
I mean, for some people.
Lisa (23:10):
Yeah.
It's courageous.
Dani (23:12):
There's so many opportunities to compare
ourselves to other people.
And if we're not seeing peoplehaving a hard time-
Lisa (23:19):
Yeah.
Dani (23:19):
or hearing people don't have it all together, or aren't
super happy every second withtheir circumstances, then it's
like hard to say the insidethoughts on the outside.
Emily (23:30):
I was just thinking that.
Like the amount of effort thatit took to self-assess, identify
that I feel off enough, I feelsomething that isn't right, and
then to decide to do somethingabout it.
And then to go on the journeyto find, Googling, or whatever,
(23:51):
to get to the helpline, to makethe call, or to text, or to fill
out that form.
The number of steps that ittook to get there while you're
not okay.
Lisa (24:04):
Yeah.
Emily (24:05):
Basically makes you a superhero.
Dani (24:07):
Yeah.
I wouldn't say basically, Iwould say it makes you a
superhero.
Emily (24:12):
Yeah.
Dani (24:13):
Yeah.
I think so.
And the volunteers that aretaking calls and texts are also
holding that space too, of like,we know what it takes and what
it has taken you to get here.
Yes.
We're so glad you're here.
We're so glad that you foundus.
Yeah.
Okay.
So listen.
Now that we're all like teary.
Basically, everybody's asuperhero.
(24:34):
So come join the club.
Emily (24:38):
Basically.
Dani (24:40):
Okay.
What would you like providersto know about the helpline,
Lisa?
Lisa (24:46):
First, I'd like the providers to know that we're a
phone number that can be addedto any paperwork, discharge
paperwork, can be shared withthem verbally, however they are
giving out information of theirresources and referrals.
Emily (25:05):
Your auto-reply email!
Dani (25:07):
If you have patients thinking about starting a
family, if you know somebody'sovulating...
I'm just kidding.
Lisa (25:12):
If you're seeing human beings, I think that our
information should be everywherein all places.
Emily (25:19):
If you have an auto-reply email that gets sent out, the
number should be in it.
Lisa (25:23):
Yeah, absolutely.
Dani (25:25):
Call the helpline.
Lisa (25:25):
Call the helpline.
So yeah, first and foremost,like, a lot of providers will
call us to just be like, justwanted to see what the process
felt like.
I wanted to make sure that thisis a resource that I can send
my patients to.
I want to just set the recordstraight that we are a resource
that you can add.
Emily (25:45):
Kudos to those providers for doing extra homework.
Yeah.
Like I was gonna say, they'redoing extra credit.
Lisa (25:51):
Yeah.
It shouldn't be extra creditthough.
You know?
Emily (25:55):
I mean...
You know, just kind ofsprinkling that in there.
Let's make sure this number actually works?
Lisa (26:01):
Yeah.
I like that they know aboutresources for the folks that
they're supporting.
I think that when I left thehospital, I had a photocopied
piece of paper and it was like,you might feel sad.
Mm-hmm.
Dani (26:14):
Postpartum depression.
And then it like listed adefinition, and I was like, hmm.
Well, hindsight's 2020.
The difference it would make ifsomebody was like, if, you
know, you're having a hard timeand it just kind of feels like
you're off, maybe just notfeeling like yourself.
It's common.
Lisa (26:31):
Yeah.
And here are some resources youcan call in and ask questions
they'll help you get connectedto, you know, some other
resources, if that will helpyou.
That does remind me too, for providers, but also help
seekers, like you do not need adiagnosis to reach out to get
any help.
Again, if you're just feelinglike something is not right, if
(26:55):
you're feeling like you haven'tbeen able to connect with your
doctor yet, and in the meantime,you want, you know, resources
and maybe even some education onpotentially what you know
you're navigating, we're herefor that too.
So no diagnosis needed.
For providers in particular,something that comes up for me
is that our helpline isn't aresource for consultation,
(27:19):
especially for prescribers inparticular.
Like, that is not our service.
We have a fantasticconsultation line, psychiatric
consultation line at PSI.
Dani (27:29):
Can I shout out the I Am One podcast for a second?
Emily (27:31):
Oh my god.
Dani (27:32):
We have an episode all about this.
So if you're a prescriber,check out episode...
We'll link it in the shownotes.
Yeah, we'll link it in theshow notes, with Dr.
Nicole Taylor-
Lisa (27:43):
Yeah.
Dani (27:43):
all about PSI's psychiatric consultation
program.
Lisa (27:46):
That's the spot to go to.
If you're a provider who islooking for consultation on
something that you're seeing inyour practice, that's not what
the helpline is.
And we can provide providers,you know, links back to our PSI
resources if they do reach out.
An additional thing that Ithink is important to say is
that if a provider does give ourinformation out, letting your
(28:11):
patients know or clients knowthat we're not 24 hours.
And so if they want theirpatient, client to be connected
with someone immediately, theywould either call the National
Maternal Mental Health Hotlineat 833-852-6262.
They're call and text 24/7.
(28:32):
So middle of the night, youneed to connect with somebody,
or it's during the day and youfor whatever reason just want to
text or call somebody.
The hotline.
An additional 24-hour servicethat we give out to any and all
that can hear us, receiveinformation, is 988 Suicide and
Crisis Lifeline.
They are also 24/7 and they areavailable.
(28:54):
Call, text.
They have a chat on theirwebsite.
Yeah.
So-
Very cool.
Wanting to say that.
Those are numbers that we giveout to all human beings.
So
Amazing.
We will put links to all that.
Emily (29:08):
Yes.
In the show notes.
Lisa (29:09):
Love that.
Dani (29:10):
So if help seekers are looking for a link or a phone
number, same for providers.
So, is there anything else thatwe didn't ask about that we
want to mention in this specialepisode?
Lisa (29:23):
And I don't know if I want to say this on record or not,
but, like, our volunteers showup every week, and I'm just
like, thank you so much.
Dani (29:32):
Thanks for coming.
Lisa (29:33):
Seriously, like there's nothing forcing them to do this.
Like, this is truly just basedoff of their heart and wanting
to be in space for other people.
It's like every week I'm justlike, thank you so much for
being here.
Dani (29:49):
Does your heart just explode?
Lisa (29:51):
I remember starting in this role and being like, they
keep showing up each week.
Like this is like incredible!
Dani (29:57):
Like, we're not even bringing cookies in.
Like refreshments or anything.
They're just...
That's how much ourvolunteers love this work.
And that is also true of otherPSI programs as well.
Like I can only speak to thehelpline, but we have, gosh, an
entire, can I say, army ofperinatal mental health
(30:19):
advocates, and volunteers, andstaff that are just doing the
work every day and just beingpulled.
It is pretty incredible.
Lisa (30:28):
It really is.
Dani (30:29):
We know all too well that PS I couldn't provide the free
resources to parents ,andproviders, and, you know, all
the people, if it weren't forour volunteers.
It's amazing.
And yeah, so there is a minimumwe do ask of folks to stay with
us for at least a year.
We have a lot of volunteersthat have been here for many
(30:53):
years.
Emily (30:54):
Yeah.
Lisa (30:55):
But we do ask that.
Emily (30:56):
Sure.
Dani (30:57):
Do you accept volunteer applications on a rolling basis?
Is there like a window of timewhen the application is open and
then it stops, or?
That's a really great question.
Thank you, I'm here to bring all the great questions.
You're so good at this.
So good at this.
Lisa, go on.
Um, our interest form is alwaysopen to receive new volunteers,
(31:24):
yeah.
Okay.
Lisa (31:26):
Our operational needs kind of shift and flow, and we have
a lot of human beings that areinterested in volunteering with
us.
So it's really a big puzzlepiece.
Dani (31:39):
Yeah.
So there's an interest form foranybody interested in
volunteering on the helpline.
There's an interest form.
We'll drop a link in the shownotes.
And as needed, you can reachout to folks who filled out the
interest form to see if they'restill available.
Is that basically how it works?
Okay.
Lisa (31:53):
There's so much room for those really compassionate,
kind, wonderful human beingsthat want to give back in
whatever capacity that lookslike.
Emily (32:02):
I mean, I signed up to volunteer on the helpline.
I did a couple of shifts, itmade me so nervous.
Not everyone who fills out theinterest form is gonna get that
role.
Like, I found another role atPSI.
I love it.
I'm happy here.
But it took a little bit offiguring out what played to my
natural strength.
Lisa (32:23):
Completely.
And I cannot do what y'all do.
Like, I am telling you, like,your skills and your ability to
run the climb program and to runthis podcast.
Like you're laughing, but it's-I don't want you to laugh
because...
No laughing.
(32:44):
Because your skills, and whatyou bring, and just your
personality.
I feel like I cannot do this.
I cannot do what you do.
So-
Emily (32:52):
This is why we fangirl each other.
Yeah.
Because we each have adifferent skill set, and we have
found the right place, and sowe get to, like, let it shine,
which is cool.
You're doing great.
Dani (33:04):
Oh, you too.
So are you, yeah.
Okay.
Well, with that, Emily, isthere anything else that we want
to mention?
This very special episode aboutthe helpline.
Emily (33:13):
Lisa, can you tell us the number again?
And do they call and text thesame number?
Lisa (33:18):
The postpartum support international helpline's phone
number is 800-944-4773.
You press one for Spanish, youpress two for English.
That's for a phone call toleave a voicemail.
Emily (33:32):
Okay.
Lisa (33:32):
The 800-944-4773 is where you would text the English
helpline.
Got it.
Dani (33:40):
Is there a Spanish text helpline?
Is that a different number?
Lisa (33:44):
It is a different number.
So to text in Spanish, it's971-203-7773.
Dani (33:52):
And we are going to have an entire episode about um,
well, episode zzz aboutresources that we have in
Spanish, including the Spanishhelpline.
So if you're hearing thisepisode, hopefully sometime soon
after you're listening to this,there will be an episode about
the helpline on español.
So hop on over, scroll throughour episode list, and look for
(34:14):
that one.
But Lisa, thank you for sharingall about PSI's English
helpline and what it's like forhelp seekers, what it's like for
folks volunteering on the line.
Lisa (34:27):
Thanks for having me.
Dani (34:28):
We appreciate you.
Emily (34:29):
Thanks for finding us.
Meaning PSI.
You found PSI, and now you getto celebrate every time someone
finds PSI.
Like, how beautiful is that?
Lisa (34:37):
It's awesome.
Emily (34:38):
It's pretty cool.
Dani (34:39):
So, uh, for everybody out there listening, call us or text
us.
Just come on over.
We heart you.
Let's be friends.
Thanks for tuning in to the IAm One podcast.
Check out today's show noteswhere we'll drop links to all
the important things that wementioned in this episode.
Please consider sharing about IAm One on social media and
(35:00):
following and rating our showwherever it is that you listen
to podcasts.
It only takes a minute of yourtime, and well, that'll help
with our collective mission ofbringing resources and local
support to folks worldwide.
From everyone here at PSI,thanks again for listening.
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