Brookline Police Department Social Worker Offers Online Hours

BROOKLINE, MA — In an effort to respond to the growing mental health needs in the town amid the pandemic, Brookline Police Department's civilian social worker is now hosting virtual office hours for Brookline residents.

Starting May 20, social worker Anabel Lane will hold virtual office hours from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. via Zoom on Wednesdays. The services are free and confidential for Brookline residents in need of a little extra support and don't know where to look.

"I just wanted there to be another option for people to be able to access support, and to be flexible given the restrictions of the pandemic," said Lane.

If you're a mom at your wit's end trying to juggle children and work and need to talk to someone who isn't in your family amid the coronavirus crisis, you can call and Lane will talk you through options — or just talk. If you are struggling with addition and know it's time to do something, but don't know where to look for you or a family member, she can help get you started.

"It's not like traditional therapy, where people delve into their childhood, this is more like support talking through feelings, or figuring something out or collaborative brainstorming," she said. "It's low-key. I'm also seeing it as a kind of a consultation type service, to help people figure out what they might be looking for and what their options are."

As for how a civilian social worker came to work in the police department? It is a natural fit, she said. The police are often the first to come aware of people in crisis or those who need help in the community.

"The officers do so much work that people don't know about and don't realize, from helping people with different social emotional needs to concerns about kids and their well-being and elders and their well-being," said Lane.

Because the highest number of people struggling with mental health needs but not connected with services tended to come into contact with the police often, the town hired a social worker years ago to gently help connect those people.

Lane, who also sits on the board of directors for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Massachusetts, took the role about two and a half years ago. She also trains the department's Crisis Intervention Team, an integrated unit specially trained to respond to individuals with acute mental health needs.

Police regularly call on her to help connect members of the community they come in contact with who might need additional services.

"The work that Annabel does to support people in our community who are facing mental health and substance use disorder challenges is as important now as it has ever been," Chief Andrew Lipson said. "These virtual office hours will provide a key resource for those in need and fill a gap left by the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability of service providers to assist those most in need. I invite anyone in town who feels they need support to make use of this option to connect with Annabel virtually."

To access the virtual office hours, click here. Participants will be placed in the waiting room and be admitted one-by-one to speak with Lane. Participants may also access the office hours using the meeting ID: 815 7170 5817 and password: 2268.

• Read the CDC's resource guide for coping with stress during the pandemic.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, opinion piece.