Volunteer Opportunities

Compassionate Ear Warmline Operator

Mental Health America of the Heartland currently seeks experienced part-time (up to 20 hours per week) Volunteer Warmline Operators to provide non-clinical peer support to people with mental illness. The Warmline Operator answers our peer-operated support line from his/ her home. Work hours will vary including evenings, weekends and holidays with some weekday hours required.

The primary focus of support will be mentoring and supporting persons living with a mental illness through our peer-operated listening service. Primary duties include offering non-crisis supportive listening, coping strategies, information, and a reprieve from loneliness and isolation. The successful candidate will be self-motivated and responsible.

Qualified applicants must have:

• Personal lived experience of recovery from mental illness, required
• GED or high school diploma, required; some post-secondary education, preferred
• Certification as a Peer Specialist in Kansas or Missouri or eligibility/ commitment to acquire same, required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, necessary; ability to complete client documentation and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Excel, required

Mental Health America of the Heartland is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Mail or hand-deliver cover letter with resume and completed application (found here) to:

Mental Health America of the Heartland
739 Minnesota Ave
Kansas City, KS 66101

Attn: Human Resources/ WASA/Residential

Deadline: Open until filled

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

No phone calls, faxes or emails please. EOE

• We are individuals who have experienced and are seeking recovery from mental health problems or addictions. We are families of loved ones who have struggled with these issues, or been lost to suicide.
• We are advocates who see mental health as a public health and social justice issue.
• We are mental health care professionals who believe that an individual’s goals for recovery should come first.
• We are primary care doctors and nurses that see the impact of poor mental health in our patients’ general health every day.
• We are researchers who are unlocking the secrets of the brain and human behavior.
• We are businessmen and women who understand the benefits of good mental health to the bottom line.
• We are school officials who see children fall behind due to unmet emotional needs.
• We are youth who want to help our peers with mental health problems.
• We are people who believe in the mind-body connection and power of prevention.
• We are people of all faiths who support fellow congregants with mental health and substance abuse problems.
• We are Republican, Democrat, and Independent voters who view this as a people issue, not a partisan one.
• We are public officials who are trying to change systems from within.
• We are law enforcement and corrections officers who see the effects of untreated illness and wish there were better services for the people we encounter.
• We are active duty military, veterans and families who know the stress of combat.
• We are survivors of natural disasters, domestic abuse and street crimes who confront the psychological effects of these traumatic events every day.