The Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and Society condemn all acts of police brutality.

These acts, as we have witnessed in recent weeks–the brutal killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and the harassment of Christian Cooper–have disturbed us to our core.

The harmful impact on the mental health and well-being of all Americans, especially on those of Black and Brown color, has exacerbated anxiety, stress and mental health disorders. This week’s event adds to the collective trauma that Black Americans endure in response to police brutality and everyday racial discrimination and bias against them. Our hearts are full of grief and pain for the families of the individuals who have been killed and harmed.

Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and Society is a community that promotes diversity, equality and inclusion. Anyone who participates in our events, scientific programs, symposia, classes and clinical treatment programs is entitled to fair and respectful consideration. This consideration should honor all individual differences including cultural, racial, religious, age, sex/gender, and sexual orientation diversity and disability. We do not tolerate racism or harassment of any kind.

Black lives matter.  MPI and MPS stands with Black and Brown People in our own community and everywhere. We are committed to create a physically and emotionally safe space for our students, faculty, members, patients and clients, community participants and staff. We are striving toward making our community and our world better. We can do better.

The youth of today speak the truth clearly and articulately. A 27 year old man says, “This idea that in America, you can be whoever you want and do whatever you want as long as you work hard; it’s just plain false. Those who don’t recognize that absurdity are doing so intentionally. They are making a choice to turn a blind eye to the way things are, and the ability to make that choice is the essence of white privilege.”

In the words of Reverend Al Sharpton, “What will we do with the time that we have?” Let’s be a part of the solution. Let’s open our eyes and ears to what is around us, and let’s not be afraid to face it and then DO something about it.

Warm regards,

Sally Rosenberg, D.O.
MPI President

Rebecca Mair, Ph.D.
MPS President

COVID-19 Helpline

For Frontline Healthcare Workers During the Coronovirus Pandemic

Stressed?

The coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone, most of all patients and their families and the frontline healthcare workers treating them. Frontline workers include everyone on the healthcare team affected by the pandemic, whether they provide direct care or are members of support, maintenance, food service or administrative staff. Frontline workers have extremely long and stressful days, with little time and energy to regroup and consider their own well-being. These workers need time and space to decompress, share their experiences, and refresh their minds to meet the challenges of the next day at work.

What is the MPI Helpline Initiative?

Psychoanalysts and psychotherapists affiliated with the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and Society have begun an initiative to provide emotional support and assistance to frontline health care workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. During the months of April, May and June, experienced clinicians will offer up to 5 free virtual sessions to any staff member involved in, or affected by, the coronavirus pandemic.

What Can We Help With?

Stress can take many forms. If you have burnout feelings, irritability, excessive worrying or sadness, difficulty sleeping, feelings of inadequacy at work, numbness, or feeling alone, we can help.

How Do We Help?

The reactions to an unprecedented event like a pandemic are complicated. They involve an interaction between inner strengths and vulnerabilities and the demands of outer realities. Your first virtual call or video visit will help you to map out inner and outer experience, and create a plan to address specific issues and concerns that were identified. The number of sessions is variable and hard to predict until a first consultation has taken place. The goal of the consultation is to provide relief through greater understanding as well as practical suggestions. You will be invited to consider the usefulness of further work beyond the first few sessions.

Confidentiality

All sessions are completely confidential. No information can be disclosed without your permission.

How to Reach Us

We have two separate call lines, one for Ann Arbor and one for metro Detroit.

Ann Arbor:  To make a private, confidential appointment or to get more information, please call 734-677-1590. We will return calls within 24 hours to set up a first virtual appointment.
Metro Detroit: To make a private, confidential appointment or to get more information, please call 248-907-4407. We will return calls that are not answered directly within 24 hours to set up a first virtual or phone appointment.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay