The SHANTI project: A community model

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Abstract
“For most of us, the death of a patient to whom we have been deeply committed is a bitter pill to swallow. The pill becomes even more bitter for those of us who have not shared ourselves along with our medicines and procedures. To the extent that we have given too little, too late, to those who are dying, we may come to realize that although the primary crisis is the patient's, the last crisis is the helper's.” These are the words of Charles A. Garfield, Codirector of the SHANTI Project, a volunteer counseling service for patients and families facing life-threatening illness. The following article includes a discussion of the origins and aims of the SHANTI Project: (1) To offer direct community services consisting of counseling and companionship for patients and families and grief counseling for survivors of a death; (2) to provide professional training and public education; and (3) to conduct substantive research to evaluate the project. Case material is presented on the kinds of clients contacting the SHANTI Project as well as a brief description of the volunteers and their commitment.

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