MORE ON MEDIATION NEEDS DURING SHELTER-IN-PLACE

Recently, I highlighted the growing need for landlord-tenant mediation during our current times when some states have prohibited evictions resulting in both residential and commercial tenants struggling to pay rents.

Another growing concern regarding shelter-in-place is the stress the confinement can put on relationships. For many, it’s not only the stress of the limited outside activities, but also the stresses that can arise from economic uncertainties, home schooling, working at home and the fears arising from a variety of unknowns.

Community mediation centers are available to help families and friends using videoconferecing as a way to better deal with day-to-day conflicts.

One example is Humboldt Mediation Services in California, which offers mediation on a sliding scale. When someone calls or contacts them through their website, the case managers first interview the parties individually via videoconferencing and coach them on how to make the best use of mediation. Many people who call haven’t had experience with this method before. After the individual meetings both parties videoconference with the mediators who guide the participants through the mediation process and assist in preparing a written agreement.

The parties who complete the videoconferencing sessions find its immediate availability a major benefit compared to in person because it can be less stressful, far less expensensive and increase the opportunity to preserve a relationship.

Videoconference mediation is not new. It has been long been used, for example, when one spouse is threatened by the physical presence of the other. In those cases, the technology made it possible for the parties to meet. It has also been used for years when the parties are separated geographically and a face-to-face meeting was not possible.

So, with all this in mind, I encourage people who are seeking help to deal with conflicts resulting from the stresses of confinement, to reach out to independent and communication mediation services who can offer this screen-to-screen option.