November 11, 2025
Almost everyone will admit that the current cultural climate is unusually disconcerting. There just seems to be more hostility in the air than we’ve seen before. “There are forces right now, power structures that are actually doing significant harm to particularly vulnerable populations,” observes Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, McCall’s President and CEO. “We’re getting messages to be afraid or to be angry at others.”
During times like these, it seems easier to be callous and somewhat self-protective. It’s a way for some individuals to feel safe.
Open your heart.
“Our hearts are elastic,” Maria says reassuringly. “We can stretch and recognize the humanity in one another. We can also see that there are injustices happening and we can push against those things, rather than turning on each other and placing blame and shame on our neighbors.”
Maria’s insights couldn’t be more relevant: “It starts with this idea that someone who is hungry or homeless or suffering in any way is somehow cutting in front of us in line and taking something from a person who has worked hard and deserved it. I think we have to challenge that narrative.”
It begins with compassion.
People want to share a sense of community and to be contributing members of society. Maria poses this question, “Are we creating pathways in our hearts, in our minds, and in our structures so that we’re all part of a community?”
If you find that it’s hard to recognize the humanity in those around you and you’re angry or lonely or you lack an understanding of others or maybe you feel that you’ve done things that have caused harm and you simply can’t forgive yourself, that’s where McCall can meet you. That’s where therapy can help.
“We can sit with folks and help define that space, that grace, that self-compassion, so that we can recognize the humanity in one another,” Maria adds. “If you’re in a dark place, or you’re lonely, or you’re really worried about somebody else, we’ll meet you there.”
Connect with compassionate support by reaching out to McCall today. We have a wide range of services and programs that provide hope and healing. Click here to see our website. Or call us at 860.496.2100.
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Miss the interview? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Visit our pressroom to hear Maria Coutant Skinner, LCSW, McCall’s President and CEO, share her personal insights about the importance of recognizing the humanity in others. Click on the image to listen to the full FM 97.3 WZBG interview.
Click on the image to listen to the full FM 97.3 WZBG interview.
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