Products and Resources Catalog

The first issue of our July 2024 newsletter features information about National Minority Mental Health Month, upcoming Northwest MHTTC events and resources of interest to the workforce.

Three unique perspectives…one unifying vision – a world in which every LGTBQ youth has access to an affirming school community where they feel safe, respected, and embraced.  We concluded Pride Month with a dynamic panel presentation offering insights from personal, parental, and professional perspectives borne out of groundbreaking work and advocacy in support of LGBTQ youth. Be inspired and learn ways that you can contribute to urgently needed culture and systems change! Overviewed common terminology and misconceptions of the non-binary and trans community Information about the current state of mental health and distress among LGBTQ youth Heard from experts with both lived and professional experience around the importance of gender-inclusive communities in supporting the wellness of LGBTQ youth Learned about ways to support and advocate for your LGBTQ child and maintain your wellness as a parent Heard about a range of practical school-based strategies for creating gender-inclusive, welcoming communities where LGBTQ youth can thrive Panelists Tony Ferraiolo is internationally known as a compassionate and empowering Life Coach who has earned his reputation as a thought-provoking and motivational speaker and trainer. Since 2005, Tony has worked with individuals, groups, and educational institutions to reach thousands of people worldwide. In 2008, he was the founder of multiple support groups for transgender and nonbinary youth and their families. The work Tony does has allowed him to see firsthand how children’s lives are transformed from hopelessness to hopefulness through the process of simply affirming their gender, and he has witnessed firsthand the positive impact that this has on them and their families. Tony is the subject of the award-winning documentary A Self-Made Man and the author of the book series Artistic Expressions of Transgender Youth. And his soon to be released memoir “Finding My Way Out of The Darkness.” He is the co-founder of the Jim Collins Foundation where he held the position of president of the board for ten years. Melissa Combs is the parent of two high school teens. Her journey through the public school system as the parent of a transgender child inspired her to launch the Out Accountability Project, an organization that aims to help schools create and maintain safe, affirming learning environments for LGBTQ+ youth. Professionally, she is a consultant and has worked with more than 50 nonprofits, primarily in fundraising, communications, and public relations. Christy Olezeski, PhD, is the Director and co-founder of the Yale Pediatric Gender Program (YPGP), an interdisciplinary team that provides services for transgender and gender expansive (TGE) youth and families in Connecticut. The team includes professionals in the fields of psychology, endocrinology, psychiatry, gynecology, reproductive medicine, medical ethics and law. The YGP mission is to provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary, family-centered care for children, adolescents and young adults questioning their assigned gender and/or seeking gender-affirming consultation and care in a compassionate, respectful and supportive environment. This program is regionally well-regarded, serving clients from all 8 counties in the state, as well as 7 states outside of Connecticut.  

To view resources from this training, click ATTACHMENT links Recording coming soon!   Event Description This program aims to equip behavioral health leaders with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively lead teams and foster healthier organizational cultures. Participants will learn strategic and people-focused leadership methods through “Authentic Connection.” The goal of this training series is to enhance their ability to navigate uncertainty, ambiguity, and conflict while maintaining resilience and composure in a rapidly changing behavioral health landscape.  Participants will learn:   -          Explore strategies for fostering wellness and resilience to develop a healthier work culture within their scope of influence.  -          Acquire practical skills in self-care, compassion, and inclusive strategies to integrate into their professional roles.  -          Learn communication strategies to collaborate with others to develop adaptive strategies to address challenges in diverse teams.  June 27 - Session 1: Healthy Teams: Collaborative Communication   July 11 - Session 2: Healthy Teams: Reflective Supervision  July 18 - Session 3: Healthy Cultures: Managing Systemic Burnout and Stress  August 1 - Session 4: Healthy Cultures: Psychological Safety    Trainer Lamarr Lewis Lamarr Lewis, is a dedicated advocate, author, and agent of change. With a focus on community-based mental and public health, he works with diverse groups including individuals living with psychiatric disabilities, people in recovery from substance abuse, and at-hope youth (He does not use the term at-risk).   He is an alumnus of Wittenberg University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with minors in Africana Studies and Religion. He later received his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Argosy University.   His career spans over twenty years with experience as a therapist, consultant, public speaker, facilitator, trainer, and human service professional. He has been a featured expert for such organizations as; Boeing, Region IV Public Health Training Center, Fulton County Probate Court, Mississippi Department of Health, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and many more.   His lifelong mission is to leave the world better than how he found it. 

Please note: This recording will only be available until July 26, 2024. The United Nations has set forth the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In part, these goals aim to advance “a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity” and “realize the human rights of all” by centering global efforts on health equity. This 90-minute virtual session will define health equity, identify evidence-based practices supporting health equity, review priority populations affected by health inequities, and explain the far-reaching impact(s) caused by disparities in healthcare. We will also discuss other salient health equity topics including our evolution of understanding, an expanding unit of analysis, trauma-informed care, local-to-global (dis)connections, and policy-practice implications within the context of sustainable, collective futures.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Participants will: Gain an understanding of what health equity is and how it has evolved Identify the impact of health inequity and health disparity Learn policy and practice implications within the context of collective futures   PRESENTER: Jean Balestrery, PhD Jean E. Balestrery holds a Joint PhD in Social Work and Anthropology from University of Michigan, a MA in Anthropology from University of Michigan, a MSW from University of Washington and a BA from Brown University. Dr. Balestrery is founder and CEO of Integrated Care Counsel, LLC, a Spirit of Eagles Hampton Faculty Fellow and a licensed independent behavioral health clinician. An interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner with more than twenty years of combined experience in research, training and practice, Dr. Balestrery has presented research nationally and internationally with a focus on holistic health and wellbeing across the life course. Dr. Balestrery is currently a National Association of Social Workers Committee Member for LGBTQ+ Issues, Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Grant Reviewer and Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) Co-Production of Knowledge discussion participant.   The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

This June 25, 2024 webinar provided cultural considerations and tips for culturally responsive care when working with individuals who experience psychosis. Some of the learning goals of this webinar included: Understanding the pervasive impact of culture on engagement, rapport building, assessment, and treatment outcomes. Identifying strategies to work on becoming a culturally responsive, anti-oppressive clinician outside of the therapy room. Developing a framework of development that prepares you to Receive and Respond to Feedback from people with lived experience of various different social identities and backgrounds. Building an ethic of cultural humility that centers respectful curiosity and openness to unfamiliar cultural and social concepts across the spectrum of ability, gender, sexuality, race, and culture. Differentiating between cultural humility, cultural responsiveness, and cultural competence as broader concepts that must inform a holistic idea of cultural understanding. Presenters: Vera A. Muñiz-Saurré (they/éle) is a nonbinary, queer, Peruvian public health professional of mixed Spanish and Andean ancestry working as a Program Coordinator and Peer Advocate for the Massachusetts Psychosis Prevention Partnership (M3P) and Building Bridges towards Equity in Psychosis Intervention and Careers (2B-EPIC) grants at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and a Peer Counselor at the Lab for Early Psychosis at McLean Hospital. Vera is diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder, a survivor of conversion therapy targeting their sexuality, and identifies as Mad and a psychiatric survivor. Starting in 2017, Vera helped found and admin the Psychosis Spectrum Server on Discord and still helps maintain that community! Vera’s ideology and public health approach centers abolition of long-standing oppressive systemic structures, investment in harm reduction-based support services, and reindigenization of academic knowledge systems in both theory and application. Chia Hsuan Sabrina Chang (she/her) is a psychologist, Instructor at Harvard Medical School, and site supervisor for Boston University's Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology. She is proud of her identities as a first-generation immigrant and Asian-American woman, especially in the predominantly white profession of psychology. She has published several peer reviewed papers and a book chapter on cultural psychology and gender affirming care. She is passionate about providing culturally responsive, anti-oppressive therapy and supervision, the latter of which earned her the Teaching and Mentorship Award from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She is the founder of the Anti-Racism Task Force at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center, which was bestowed the Performance Recognition Award by the Department of Mental Health. In the community, she is passionate about using her expertise as a psychologist to instigate anti-racist change and received a citation from the Massachusetts Senate for her advocacy work.

About this Resource: As mental health care providers work to address the needs of individuals in their day-to-day work, it can be difficult to treat mental health challenges without also treating the underlying contributors to those challenges. The Social Determinants of Mental Health (SDOMH) are the non-medical societal factors that influence the mental health outcomes of patients, peers, and clients. These intersecting conditions in which a person is born, in which they age, live, and work, all factor into that person’s health. In this on-demand recording, clinicians learn how these factors impact engagement in care and how to measure these factors’ effect on patients’ outcomes in an effort to utilize more comprehensive and effective treatment strategies to address mental health needs.

First-episode psychosis can strip away one's identity, obscure one’s history, and shatter one’s vision for the future. And often, this process happens through contact with the mental health system, rather than the condition itself. At just 17 years old, Leah Giorgini found herself navigating a descent to invisibility after a traumatic childhood marred with violence, neglect, and parental death led to a first episode of psychosis. Once a high achiever, Leah became a patient adrift from the world, paralyzed by antipsychotic medication and low expectations. However, when a progressive therapist lent Leah a book about Feminist Perspectives on Mental Health, Leah suddenly felt seen as a whole person in context and began to reemerge as a visible and capable individual. Now an Occupational Therapist working in nonprofit leadership, Leah is working to change the societal inequities that lead to and perpetuate human suffering. She will present her story and outline how connecting the dots of trauma, intersectionality, and occupation can lead to rights-based care that helps people feel seen and empowered.  By the end of this training, participants will be able to:  Describe the importance of acknowledging intersectionality in mental health care, particularly in understanding how various aspects of identity, such as gender, race, and socioeconomic status, intersect with experiences of psychosis and recovery.  Describe the role of occupation in the recovery process for individuals with first-episode psychosis, and understand how occupational therapy principles can be integrated into rights-based care approaches to support individuals in regaining agency and meaning in their lives.  Identify the key factors contributing to the social invisibility experienced by individuals with first-episode psychosis, including the impact of interactions with the mental health system.  About the Presenter: Leah is a British-Indonesian immigrant who moved from England to the United States in 2016. As a psychiatric survivor, domestic violence survivor, former foster youth, and a person who has previously experienced homelessness, Leah is working towards a world free of oppression and injustice. She believes that promoting psychological and social approaches to psychosis is equity in action towards this vision.  Trained as an Occupational Therapist, Leah primarily worked in clinical mental health settings until she came to the United States, where she found a home working in nonprofit leadership. Leah has worked in an array of settings with people diagnosed with psychosis, including working in early intervention in psychosis, assertive outreach, a mental health recovery café, a high-secure forensic hospital, and homeless emergency shelters. She currently serves as Executive Director of the US Chapter of the International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis (ISPS-US.)   

In this 60-min session we will explore the common challenges providers face when supporting people who see, hear, and otherwise experience things that others around them do not. Tasked with time-sensitive concrete requirements, such as completing an eligibility assessment or person-centered recovery plan (PCRP), professionals may struggle to meet the needs of the behavioral health system while also prioritizing the more immediate and subjective needs of the human being in front of them. Join Amy and Amanda as they share from both their relevant personal and professional experience regarding this challenge and highlight ideas for staying connected with yourself and the people you support. Although the session is brief, attendees can expect story-telling, short examples, and a few take-home resources.  Learning Objectives: Describe two actions that promote trust and partnership during a mental health distress,  Name two behaviors professionals should avoid that can damage the relationship with people who are hearing and seeing things that others do not, and  Identify an approach that simultaneously balances the needs of the person and the system.    About the Presenters: Amanda Bowman, LCSW-S, PSS (she/her) is a clinical social worker, certified peer specialist supervisor, and WRAPⓇ facilitator, using her professional and lived experience with mental health challenges to promote person-centered practices in behavioral health care. Coming from direct social work practice and administrative leadership within the public mental health system, she joined Via Hope in 2013, where she served as Recovery Institute Director until 2023. In this role, she oversaw the development and delivery of organizational change programs, which included statewide initiatives to support the implementation of person-centered planning, peer support services, and trauma-responsive work environments. Now the owner of Sidecar Consulting, Amanda uses her passion for participatory learning methods to facilitate collaborative learning events and serves as a subject matter expert for programs designed to support change within and across agencies. She has called Austin home since 2000 when she moved from Louisiana to obtain a Master’s degree at UT. Outside of work, you may find Amanda with her family hiking the Barton Creek Greenbelt or enjoying live music. Amy Pierce (she/her) has been working in the Peer Movement in the State of Texas for almost two decades. She currently serves as Recovery Institute Associate Manager at Via Hope by serving as a subject matter expert on the implementation of peer services and  other recovery-oriented practices. She has extensive experience in the peer support sector, having started the first peer support program in the state hospitals in Texas, implementing peer support programs in the community as well as the Program Coordinator for a transitional peer residential housing project.   Prior to Via Hope, she was the CEO of Resiliency Unleashed, an international training and consulting company. Amy is a peer, and family member, with both mental health and addictions experience. Amy was previously Chair of the PAIMI Council in Texas and currently serves on the Disability Rights Texas Board of Directors.

Although there is increasing awareness of the social determinants of mental health, the intersection of social determinants and first-episode psychosis is still a developing field. This presentation will highlight the growth in the field and the increasing complexity that must be considered as it relates to structural racism and oppression. Evidence of the role of social determinants of mental health in driving inequitable outcomes in first-episode psychosis will be discussed. Finally, solutions for improving outcomes and achieving mental health equity will be considered.  Learning Objectives:  Define key concepts associated with the social determinants of mental health Evaluate recent evidence of the role of social determinants in driving first-episode psychosis outcomes Identify solutions to achieving greater equity in first-episode psychosis outcomes   About the Presenter: Ruth Shim, MD, MPH (she/her) is the Luke & Grace Kim Professor in Cultural Psychiatry and Professor of Clinical Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis. She also serves as Associate Dean of Diverse and Inclusive Education at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. Dr. Shim received an MPH in health policy from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University and an MD from Emory University School of Medicine. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Scientific Advisory Council of Bring Change to Mind, an organization co-founded by actress Glenn Close to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. She serves on the Research and Evaluation Committee of the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission. She serves on the Editorial Boards of JAMA Psychiatry, Psychiatric Services, Community Mental Health Journal, and American Psychiatric Publishing, and is co-editor of the books, The Social Determinants of Mental Health, and Social (In)Justice and Mental Health. Dr. Shim is an at-large member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. In 2021, she was the recipient of a NAMI Exemplary Psychiatrist Award and the UC Davis Health Deans’ Award for Excellence in Mentoring. She was named a Top 20 Black Change Maker of 2023 by The Sacramento Bee. Dr. Shim provides clinical psychiatric care in the UC Davis Early Diagnosis and Preventative Treatment (EDAPT) Clinic.

Living with a psychotic disorder can be an experience of uncertainty, isolation, and diminished hope for young people and their loved ones. For providers, supporting people with complex psychological conditions increases the risk of burnout. This presentation discusses how intentional kindness and community-building strategies are good medicine practices that can benefit young people with psychosis, families, and care teams.  This presentation challenges providers face to maintain spaces that support deep human connection: This presentation will discuss specific barriers and responses to barriers faced during the last three years to sustain and expand human connection among program participants and care team members.  Learning Objectives Have a greater understanding of the subtle and explicit ways how psychotic disorders impact a large network of people, to include young people experiencing symptoms, family members, and care providers.   Review the positive impact that kindness practices and intentional human connection have in people’s physical, mental and spiritual health.   Discuss specific ways how EPICenter (A FEP in Tucson Arizona) integrates kindness practices and community building initiatives as core components of their program.     About the Presenter: Gustavo Perez, PhD, (he/him) is a clinical associate professor at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Psychiatry Department where he directs the Early Psychosis Intervention Center (EPICenter). Dr. Perez's priorities include: Supporting young adults with serious mental illness in building a life of connection and purpose, advocating for families, preparing the next generation of providers to offer best diagnostic and intervention practices, and engaging with local communities to reduce stigma and increase opportunities for youth in different stages of psychotic disorder. Dr. Perez is a licensed psychologist and a certified trauma specialist. He completed his doctorate degree in school psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and his clinical psychology internship at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Prior to joining the University of Arizona, Dr. Perez was the chief psychologist at the Pima County Juvenile Detention Center in Tucson AZ.

This presentation will explore ways to make meaning of experiences labeled as psychosis, as well as identify strategies for building partnerships to help navigate those experiences along the way. As we learn to pause and unpack not only our own purpose, but also the perspectives of those we are supporting, we can deepen our connections and more easily find the path to guide people toward becoming the experts of their own experiences in a way that works for them. Approaches from the Hearing Voices Movement and Intentional Peer Support will be introduced through the values of the Wildflower Alliance. Over a decade of working with people and their families – as well as a lifetime of first-hand experiences of voices, visions and unusual and extreme states – will inform the presentation.  Learning Objectives:  Participants will be able to name at least strategies for managing voices and extreme states beyond medication and distraction.  Participants will be able at least two ways trauma can impact the type of voices and unusual beliefs a person may have.  Participants will be able to name two dialogue approaches that increase connection and partnership    About the Presenter:  Cindy Hadge is an internationally recognized educator providing training and consultations to mental health providers, worldwide who are looking for innovative ways to approach voice-hearing, extreme states, and trauma. She draws from her own experience of childhood trauma, experiences in the traditional mental health system, and navigating her own voices, visions, and unusual beliefs. She is passionate about developing and facilitating healing spaces for those going through these kinds of experiences and their families. Cindy is a pioneer in developing Hearing Voices Network USA Family and Friends Groups in 2019 and has been an HVN USA trainer since 2012. Cindy is the Lead Trainer for the Wildflower Alliance as well as an Intentional Peer Support trainer.

Psychosis is often understood as an illness that happens to people, a brain problem that has little to do with what has happened in that person’s relationships with others or in their relationship with themselves.  Much evidence however points to a different reality, where psychosis quite often follows traumatic experience that damages both social and intrapersonal relationships, and where recovery typically involves the restoration of healthy relationships with both external and internal “others.”  Treatment is different when we conceptualize psychosis as primarily a disturbance in relationships.  The goal then shifts from suppressing “symptoms of psychosis” to first finding healthy ways for us to relate to the person with psychosis and then ways to help them rebuild trust and constructive relationships with family, friends, and others including the parts of themselves from which they may have become alienated.  Let’s explore what is possible when working from this radically humanistic paradigm!    Learning Objectives: Discuss the evidence linking traumatic experiences with psychosis and the impact of trauma and psychosis on social and intrapersonal relationships.  Explain how a paradigm shift to viewing psychosis as relational alters treatment goals, orienting towards building healthy relationships instead of symptom suppression.  Explore compassionate and empathetic therapeutic strategies for helping individuals with psychosis rebuild connection with others and with alienated and dissociated parts of themselves.     About the Presenter: Ron Unger is a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and consultant specializing in CBT and related approaches for psychosis.  For the past 2 decades he has been providing seminars on therapy for psychosis, working with the intersection of trauma and psychosis, and addressing cultural and spiritual issues within treatment for psychosis, at universities and mental health facilities across the United States and internationally.  His teaching aims to inspire and guide people to relate to the essential humanity in otherwise puzzling extreme states of mind, and to reveal possible pathways people can take toward recovery and healing.  He chairs the Pacific Northwest Branch of ISPS-US, and maintains a blog at recoveryfrompsychosis.org 

Team dynamics can impact the care that is provided to young people in early psychosis programs. Fostering a positive dynamic can be challenging, and there are few trainings and resources to support early psychosis team leads in leadership and team dynamics. During this panel, early psychosis team leaders, Sharhonda Webster and Linda C Williams, will discuss how positive team dynamics can support individuals with early psychosis. They will discuss the potential impact of leadership styles and the importance of individualizing your leadership approach to each staff member, incorporating individual differences and culture. They will use their experience as team leaders to discuss considerations for managing team conflict, incorporating diverse perspectives, and changing team culture.   Learning objectives:   Understand how team dynamics can influence client care   Identify multiple considerations for early psychosis team leaders    Discuss how individual differences of team members can be incorporated to foster positive team dynamics     About the Presenters: Linda C Williams, LPC (she/her), Clinical Program Coordinator at the Spindletop Center in Beaumont, Texas. I received my calling to help others who experienced mental health issues in 2007 where I was part of a wonderful ministry serving the homeless called the Archangels Motorcycle Ministry. There I would speak face-to-face with those who needed mental health assistance but all I could do was provide them with resources. I wanted to do more so I went back to college to finish my educational journey. I started my professional journey working in mental health in 2014. I began my service work with children and adults with IDD ending in 2016, then with adults in the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) ending 2018, with the Mobil Crisis & Outreach Team (MCOT) ending in 2021, and finally with the FEP unit known in the company as the Early Onset Program (EOP). Sharhonda Webster, LPC, (she/her) is a visionary leader who is passionate about serving and empowering vulnerable and at-risk individuals. She is the Coordinated Specialty Care Team Lead at Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare. She is an advocate for individuals who have been impacted by systematic oppression and committed to building environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Her focus is on creating and building leaders who will positively impact the world, and being able to walk alongside them as they flourish. One of her favorite quotes that she lives by is “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Members of the new SAMHSA funded National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI TTA Center) will (1) present an overview of the ESMI TTA Center’s work and activities and (2) provide practical tools, tips, and resources on Shared Decision Making in the context of working with people with early serious mental illnesses.    Learning Objectives: Identify the resources and capabilities available through the ESMI TTA Centers for providers, policy makers, individuals, and families.   Understand what shared decision making is and how to do it.  Appreciate developmental considerations related to shared decision making.   About the Presenters: Preethy George, PhD. (she/her) is a Principal Research Associate at Westat with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and more than 20 years of experience in mental health, early intervention, and public-sector behavioral health services for youth and young adults. Her work spans technical assistance, program evaluation, and the translation of clinical research to inform practice and behavioral health policy. Dr. George has played key roles on federally funded projects focused on early psychosis for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), which have involved working with early psychosis researchers, providers, advocacy groups, and service recipients and their families to advance early intervention services across the country. She currently serves as the Project Director for the National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI TTA Center). Apruva Bhatt, M.D. (she/her) is a child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist and Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. Her role spans the General Adult Psychiatry Division, Child Psychiatry Division, and Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Division. Dr. Bhatt specializes in early psychosis evaluation and treatment. She currently provides clinical care in both the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital Child INSPIRE early psychosis clinic and the Stanford Health Care INSPIRE clinic. She contributes to early psychosis program development in California (through EPI-CAL) and nationally (through PEPPNET/Westat). She is also co-chair of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Adolescent Psychiatry Committee and Early Psychosis work group.  Shannon Pagdon, BA (she/they), is a joint masters/doctoral student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is a former Research Coordinator for EPINET New York State Psychiatric Institute. Shannon also does ongoing work with the EPICAL network. She is someone with lived experience of psychosis and has a background in peer support. She is the co-creator of Psychosis Outside the Box and is currently serving as the Vice President of lived experience research within IEPA. Within her graduate program, she studies under Dr. Nev Jones and is currently focusing on a qualitative in-depth examination into peer support nationwide. 

This 3-part learning series is intended for individuals working in behavioral health who are interested in building skills that will help increase their engagement in advocacy efforts promoting Hispanic and Latino behavioral health equity. This series will begin with an overview of the importance of advocacy for promoting equity, will transition to skill-building for advocacy, and end with developing action plans for engaging in advocacy. The goal of this series is to better equip and prepare behavioral health workers to advocate for behavioral health equity for Hispanic/ Latino clients and commuinities at the local, state, or federal. After the 3-part webinar series, an optional follow-up learning collaborative of non-profit organizations from Region 5 (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI) will share about how they are advocating for Latino communities.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES: In session 3, Action in Advocacy, participants will learn: Components of an advocacy plan Examples of effective advocacy   TRAINING SCHEDULE: Session 1, The Role of Advocacy in Promoting Behavioral Health Equity Session 2, Skill-Building for Advocacy Session 3, Action in Advocacy   PRESENTER: Marilyn Sampilo, PhD, MPH, is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in integrated behavioral health and health disparities among minority populations. She received her PhD in clinical child psychology with an emphasis in pediatric psychology from the University of Kansas and a Master of Public Health from the University of Kansas Medical Center, both of which allowed her to specialize in physical and mental health promotion and prevention efforts to address health disparities among underserved populations. She has extensive experience in the cultural adaptation of treatment and interventions for Hispanic/Latinx children and families and in community engagement and advocacy for this target population. She is currently a Psychologist in the Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health at Cleveland Clinic, leads the Center’s health equity and social justice initiatives, and is a consultant and trainer on issues of diversity and cultural proficiency.   The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.

Recording of the event Mental Health of Black American Men originally held on June 20, 2024. Slide presentation

The final issue of our June 2024 newsletter features upcoming Northwest MHTTC events and disseminates other events & resources of interest to the workforce.

A series of monthly calls for ACT psychiatric care providers. Offered in collaboration with the Institute for Best Practices at the University of North Carolina. ABOUT THIS EVENT Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a multidisciplinary, team-based model that provides intensive community-based and outreach-oriented services to people who experience the most severe and persistent mental illness. The vast majority also have a co-occurring substance use disorder and many experience comorbid medical illnesses. The Northwest MHTTC is hosting a series for ACT psychiatric care providers. We welcome all ACT psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and other prescribers. Sessions will be held once a month on Thursdays at 12:00-1:30 pm Pacific/3:00-4:30 pm Eastern, May-July 2024. Learn more about the series and upcoming sessions here. Our second session on June 20th discussed Clozapine and long-acting injectables (LAI). Learn more about the series and upcoming sessions here. Slides Slides - Condensed FACILITATOR Robert Cotes, MD Dr. Robert O. Cotes is an Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He serves as Physician Expert for SMI Adviser (www.smiadviser.org), which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and administered by the American Psychiatric Association. SMI Adviser provides evidence-based resources to clinicians, individuals with serious mental illness, and their families. He is Director of the Clinical & Research Program for Psychosis at Grady Health System, which comprises of three clinical programs.  The PSTAR Clinic provides evidence-based, recovery-oriented care for individuals with persistent symptoms of psychosis, specializing in the use of clozapine. Project ARROW is a coordinated specialty care team for people experiencing early psychosis, offering comprehensive, person-centered care using a multidisciplinary approach. Youth and Family TREE provides care to adolescents and young adults with a mental health condition and substance use. Dr. Cotes is an investigator for multiple research studies focused on treatment options for people with psychosis. His research focuses on clozapine and early psychosis.  Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

ABOUT THIS EVENT The landlord-tenant relationship has evolved considerably in the last 50-some years, and yet housing providers sometimes still behave like feudal lords of the land. A tenant who does not understand the actual terms of the modern rental relationship can be swayed by what sound like convincing statements or directives from their landlords, which actually are not in accord with current law at all. The landlord-tenant relationship works when both parties remain professional and businesslike. Generally, a large portion of the tenant’s monthly income is paid to their landlord. When paying for housing, tenants have the right to be treated fairly and lawfully. We will discuss working with landlords and property managers and owners who flout the law and make tenants believe genuine issues don’t matter. The Northwest MHTTC is proud to offer this webinar in partnership with the Tenant Law Center. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Slides Washington Low Income Housing Alliance - want to get involved with WLIHA? Please email [email protected] King County Tenant Resource Line, open M-F (except holidays) from 9 AM to 1 PM: (206) 580-0762 Solid Ground classes: Webinars for tenants  Fair Housing Center of Washington FACILITATORS Elizabeth Powell, Staff Attorney Elizabeth Powell has been actively practicing law since she was admitted to the Washington Bar in 2000. She volunteered for the King County Housing Justice Project for years and took the knowledge she gained representing tenants facing evictions into her private practice, where she litigated well over a thousand cases in the last 23 years. She was solo counsel on Thoreson Homes v Prudhon, a Div I published decision which reversed the trial court. She has presented at CLE’s geared towards landlord-tenant litigation and has assisted with litigation and/or settlement of housing cases all over the state. She has handled grievance hearings with PCHA, THA, SHA, and KCHA. She has litigated matters involving the WSLAD, the ADA and service animals, and reasonable accommodation. Kasey Burton, Senior Staff Attorney Kasey Burton is a Senior Staff Attorney at the Tenant Law Center, which provides eviction prevention and tenant advocacy services to King County. Kasey has spent several years practicing landlord-tenant law as both a right-to-counsel attorney for tenants facing eviction and providing eviction prevention assistance, which has allowed her to pursue her passion for housing justice.  Kasey attended the University of Washington for both her Bachelor’s in Political Science, with a minor in Law, Societies, and Justice, and her Juris Doctorate. She is currently working on her Master’s in Public Administration at the University of Colorado Denver and hopes to use this degree to facilitate her engagement in policy change that provides Washington citizens who are tenants or unhoused with the protections they deserve. Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement ​

Recording of the event Implementing Policies and Practices to Support LGBTQ+ Youth in Schools, Part 1 originally held on June 11, 2024.

  This 4-part webinar series on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers an exploration of DBT's core modules, designed to enhance the skills of students and new professionals. This series is designed to provide a foundational overview of DBT to cover the skills for mindfulness and how to help individuals stay present in the moment, regulate emotions and reduce emotional vulnerability, cope with crises and difficult situations without making them worse, and navigate interpersonal relationships effectively. Throughout the series, participants will gain valuable insights and practical techniques to support individuals in applying tools to their daily lives. Webinar objectives: Explore emotion regulation strategies and their importance in DBT Review a case study and practical examples of using these skills with clients   Presenter: Crystal Socha, MS, LPC, CRC, NCC, ACS (she/her) is a PhD Candidate and Senior Training and Consultation Specialist at Rutgers School of Health Professions in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. Crystal's primary role includes providing in-person and remote training, consultation, and technical assistance to New Jersey agencies that provide Community Support Services. She has over 10 years of experience in the behavioral health field, delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive, gender-affirming care and supporting individuals in building a life worth living. Before joining Rutgers, she provided recovery-oriented services in supportive housing, intensive in-home and in-community settings, community mental health centers, integrated primary care, hospital systems, and private practices. She has received a 40-hour foundational training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by a Linehan Board Certified Clinician and utilizes a DBT informed approach within her work as a counselor.

ABOUT THIS EVENT The Northwest MHTTC is excited to collaborate with the Mountain West AIDS Education & Training Center Program (AETC) on this webinar series related to sexual health.  The prevalence of HIV among people who have serious mental illnesses is four times as high as that of the general population. Factors that contribute to increased HIV risk include: psychiatric symptoms (e.g., disorganized thoughts and behaviors, delusions and poor executive functioning); higher rates of co-occurring substance use and other HIV risk behaviors; increased risk of social vulnerabilities, including poverty and housing instability; structural barriers (such as stigma and discrimination) to accessing medical care and prevention services in traditional medical settings. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) refers to medications for HIV-negative people to prevent them from getting HIV-infected. Current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend informing all sexually active adults and adolescents about PrEP, but in a large 2020 survey of outpatient mental health care programs, only 33% of programs offered HIV testing and only 20% prescribed PrEP. Behavioral health treatment settings offer opportunities for identifying the need for PrEP and linking clients to services. Our third session will provide information about the effectiveness of PrEP for reducing risk of acquiring HIV and describe criteria for eligibility and best practices for initiating and monitoring persons receiving PrEP prescriptions. Learning Objectives: Provide an overview of PrEP Review PrEP efficacy and effectiveness Assess PrEP side effects, risks, HIV-1 drug resistance, and other concerns Part 3 of the Sexual Health Series (click to view all sessions in this series). Slides Word cloud responses FACILITATORS Lydia Chwastiak, MD, MPH Dr. Chwastiak is a psychiatrist, internist and health services researcher who is a Professor in the UW Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.  Over the past 22 years, her research has focused on improving care and outcomes for people with complex needs in low resource settings, such as low-barrier primary care clinics and community mental health centers in the US, and primary and secondary medical settings in India and Nepal. Dr. Chwastiak is co-directs the UW Behavioral Research in HIV (BIRCH) Center, an NIMH-funded AIDS Research Center, and is the PI and co-director of the Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (NW MHTTC). Joanne D. Stekler, MD, MPH Dr. Stekler began her career working to expand routine HIV antibody testing and access to pooled HIV nucleic acid amplification testing to diagnose acute HIV infection. She has led several studies investigating novel methods to diagnose acute and early HIV infection; comparisons of point-of-care HIV tests; and home, self-testing for HIV infection. Her current work is evaluating the feasibility of implementing point-of-care nucleic acid tests for HIV diagnosis and treatment monitoring in community and clinical sites in Seattle. Her other interests include HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and use of technology for HIV prevention. Dr. Stekler started the first community-based PrEP clinic in Seattle in 2013 and the first telePrEP clinic in 2015. Through collaborations with the Washington State Department of Health and Mountain West AIDS Education and Training Center, she has been working to expand access to PrEP to reduce healthcare disparities among populations disproportionately impacted by HIV. Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE This 90-minute webinar will cover primary themes related to effective culturally informed behavioral health support. When providing support or crisis intervention for individuals or groups of people from cultural and ethnic backgrounds different from our own, there are certain considerations to keep in mind that increase our effectiveness as clinicians and decrease the opportunities for miscommunication. We will share examples from real-world scenarios that include communication tactics and reminders, as well as content areas such as family dynamics, safety and coping mechanisms that can be addressed in a way that helps to facilitate a healthy and successful outcome across different cultures. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Slides References and Resources for Culturally Informed Support FACILITATORS Kira Mauseth, PhD Dr. Kira Mauseth is a practicing clinical psychologist who sees patients at Snohomish Psychology Associates in Everett and Edmonds, WA, is a Teaching Professor at Seattle University and formerly served as a co-lead for the Behavioral Health Strike Team for the WA State Department of Health throughout the COVID response. She also owns Astrum Health LLC, and consults with organizations and educational groups about disaster preparedness and resilience building within local communities. Dr. Mauseth has provided training to community groups and professionals both regionally and abroad as the co-developer of the Health Support Team© program. Her work and research focus on disaster behavioral health, resilience, and recovery from trauma as well as small and large-scale critical incident response and preparation for organizations. She has worked abroad extensively with disaster survivors and refugees in Haiti, Jordan and Poland, and has trained first responders and health care workers throughout Puget Sound the United States, and currently serves in the adult mental health clinical seat on Washington State’s Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (DMAC). Salsabiel Alzubaidi, MA Salsabiel Alzubaidi is an Organizational Transformation, Leadership, and Legacy Consultant driven by her belief in justice and her appreciation for the rich tapestry of human diversity. With a lifelong passion for innovation in diversity and inclusion across social, educational, and professional realms, Salsabiel has honed her expertise in guiding organizations through transformative journeys. Her impactful contributions have left a legacy of progress at organizations such as Shift Energy Group, For9a.com, Seattle University, and Questscope, as well as governmental and numerous international social development platforms. Throughout her career, Salsabiel has distinguished herself as a dynamic HR and educational programming professional, specializing in programs that promote diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Her ability to unite diverse populations and maximize program effectiveness underscores her commitment to driving positive change.  Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

About this Resource:  In today's fast-paced work environment, understanding the intricate relationship between mental and physical health is crucial for fostering a thriving workplace. In this on-demand recording, the presenters explore practical strategies and insights that can help enhance overall well-being and create a more positive work culture. Discover how the mind-body connection can transform employee wellness.