Responding to COVID-19

Mental Health Disparities

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted already existing inequities and disparities in health and behavioral health issues, and in access to and receipt of effective healthcare for some populations in the US. For example, African-American and Hispanic and Latino communities have experienced much higher rates of COVID-19 and death from the virus, and also have less access to mental health and substance use treatment (SAMHSA, 2020). Mental health-related inequities and disparities are fueled by social determinants of health, such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, citizenship status, socioeconomic status, education, and physical environment, as well as the negative effects of racism and discrimination.

The MHTTC Network developed resources to address disparities in receipt of effective mental health services, on topics such as workforce diversity, cultural and structural competence, and provision of culturally appropriate services, as well as mental health effects of social determinants of health, racism, and discrimination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also developing resources specific to the differential effects of COVID-19 on mental health care for specific populations.

Here, we highlight MHTTC training and technical assistance products and resources related to disparities, as well as a compilation of resources from other reputable organizations.

MHTTC Products and Resources:

7 Tips to Engage in Mental Health Treatment the Guatemalan Maya Families Living in the United States | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Guatemalan Mayas living in the United States have suffered immigration stress and cumulative trauma, strongly associated with depression, anxiety, alcohol-related disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this fact sheet is to create awareness of the Mayan population's cultural and social factors that might affect their level of engagement in mental health treatment.

Apoyando el bienestar emocional y de salud mental de los estudiantes hispanos y latinos y sus cuidadores durante la pandemia de COVID-19 Parte I | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Acculturation and Migration Trauma Among Latino Children, Youths, and Families From The Northern Triangle | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This one and half-hour online session provides information on the third, sixth, and eighth-largest populations of Hispanic origin living in the United States. The presenter provides information about the languages, traditions, customs, values, spirituality, and the social, historical, and political context that led them to immigrate to the United States. They also discuss migration trauma and its impact on mental health.

Addressing Behavioral Health Inequities | Central East MHTTC

This two-part series provides information on how the behavioral health system can employ the tools of population health management for planning and redesigning. Part 1 describes and provides strategies on how to implement population management. Part 2 discusses value-based reimbursement.

Addressing Blended Family and Trauma Issues with Affectional and Gender Minority Parents | Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC

This presentation highlights the struggles of affectional and gender diverse families, as well as provide strategies and skills to support them. This presentation also provide resources to support practitioners in increasing their competence and providing ethical support to affectional and gender minority parents.

Barriers in Mental Health Services for Trans, Queer and Non-binary Latino Communities | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This webinar started defining the basic concepts that comprehend the LGBTQ+ community. These concepts set the tone to understand how minority groups become vulnerable populations in Latinx communities. Our main objective was to promote sensible, empathic, and effective treatment strategies for the provision of mental health services. Also available in Spanish!

Best Practices for Mental Health Interpreters Working with Hispanic and Latinos | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Research has shown that individual outcomes are better, program compliance is higher, and organizations decrease staff time spent and complete fewer assessments when using interpreters in health and behavioral health settings. This net effect is mutually beneficial. There is a cost-saving for organizations and equal opportunity for limited English proficient service seekers.

Building Capacity of School Personnel to Promote Positive Mental Health in Native American Children and Youth | Mountain Plains MHTTC

The goal of this multi-state initiative is to build capacity of school teams to promote positive mental health in children/youth throughout the school day using a multi-tiered approach. Specifically, the Mountain Plains MHTTC builds capacity of school personnel to learn about and implement model programs, such as Every Moment Counts and Circle of Courage, and embedded strategies emphasizing mental health promotion and prevention.

Building Skills for Cross-Cultural Communication and Resilience During COVID-19 | Pacific Southwest MHTTC

COVID-19 has added to the way many of us see the world through different lenses. Differences in our worldview perspectives can cause disconnection and lead to a lack of resilience. This workshop explored stereotypes, biases, and disparities related to COVID-19. Participants gained skills to recognize and interrupt bias in a compassionate manner using tools for cross-cultural communication.

CBT Telehealth Adaptations for Providers of Mental Health Care for Latino Populations | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Due to the need for many mental health providers to transition to online service delivery as a result of COVID-19, this webinar provided general guidance on the use of telehealth services. This webinar focused on providing recommendations for adapting common Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools (e.g., repeated assessment, homework tracking, etc.) for use with clients via telehealth. Special linguistic and cultural considerations for providers of Latino clients were presented throughout the webinar.

Clinical Application of Cultural Elements for the Hispanic and Latino Populations Module II

Clinical Application of Cultural Elements for the Hispanic and Latino Populations Module III and VI | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

The State of New Mexico Office of Peer Recovery and Engagement and the National Hispanic & Latino MHTTC offered a peer focused webinar that considers cultural elements of the Hispanic and Latino populations with indigenous perspectives and approaches. The goal of this training is to increase the awareness and abilities of peer workers in their use of cultural elements when working with Hispanic and Latino clients.

Clinical Application of Cultural Elements in Treating Hispanics and Latinos with Mental Health Disorders | Southeast MHTTC and National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

The goal of this training is to increase the awareness and abilities of mental health care providers in their use of cultural elements by promoting the use of culturally appropriate formulations when treating Latinx presenting with psychological and mental health disorders. This webinar is informed by current research findings on the impact of cultural factors on the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders and on the therapeutic relationship.

Module 1

Clinical Innovations in Telehealth: Providing Culturally Relevant Telehealth Services to the Latino Population during the COVID Crisis | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Telehealth services have been a way to provide desperately needed services in a safe way, but there are significant challenges to providing services that consider the cultural needs of the individual as well. In this webinar, we discussed the challenges of treating Latino clients during the COVID crisis, and we also discussed how to assess and provide interventions to meet the needs of Latino individuals using telehealth modalities.

Communicating Death and Dying to Latino Families during a Pandemic | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Talking about death and dying is always difficult, but communicating to families during pandemics like COVID-19 poses special challenges. This presentation discussed strategies for respectfully communicating with Latino families about COVID related end of life issues.

Coping with Stress During the Pandemic | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This one-hour online session provided information on culturally responsive coping strategies to address and reduce stress in Latino clients. The presenter addressed stressors among Latino communities as well as culturally responsive strategies to address symptoms. The presentation further discussed therapeutic interventions for Latino clients with mental health disorders whose symptoms have exacerbated during the pandemic.

Recording coming soon!

COVID-19 and Mental Health Resources: For Diverse Populations and Providers Who Support Them | Pacific Southwest MHTTC

The Pacific Southwest MHTTC curated a series of topical resource sheets to help you find high-quality tools and information on caring for yourself, your families, and the communities you serve. This resource sheet focuses specifically on supporting racially and ethnically diverse populations; older adults; LGBTQIA+ communities; people living with HIV; people with disabilities; immigrant and undocumented communities; and college students and young adults.

COVID-19 Disparities Webinar: How to Support Racial & Ethnic Minority Students | Southeast MHTTC

This webinar, presented by Dr. Briana Woods-Jaeger, examines the various adversities experienced by racial and ethnic minority students as a result of the outbreak COVID-19. Additionally, this webinar highlights how teachers and school staff can provide support to students disproportionately affected by incorporating cultural humility practices in a school/classroom setting.

Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness in Telehealth | South Southwest MHTTC

The article discusses issues that may arise when working with different cultural communities through telehealth. There is a heavy emphasis placed on utilizing telehealth for mental health services. All services need to follow the national Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards. It also provides strategies and solution ideas that adhere to CLAS standards. Now available in Spanish!

Culturally Adapted Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Hispanic and Latino Clients | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Part 1 - This one and half-hour part one online training provides an overview of the culturally adapted Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Hispanic and Latino clients. Dr. Kirby reviewed the basic goals, history, and philosophy of DBT and applied a mindfulness exercise. It also describes practical adaptations and explains how to implement DBT skills effectively for Hispanic and Latino clients.
Part 2 - During this second part participants learn and apply fundamentals of DBT skills: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Dialectical Thinking, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. A case study of a Mexican woman presenting cultural issues and with a diagnosis of depression and anxiety was discussed using a Spanish DBT group therapy modality.

Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Care for Early Psychosis Research Brief | Northwest MHTTC

Efforts to improve the quality and population reach of services for psychosis underscore the need to provide Cultural and Linguistically Responsive (CLR) care. With an emphasis on early psychosis, this presentation reviews clinical and organizational best practices to promote such care. Highlights of research findings that empirically support the need for CLR care are presented and largely focus on Latinx sub-populations.

Culturally Responsive and Socially Distanced Suicide Prevention: Safety Planning and Other Resources in Pandemic Times | Pacific Southwest MHTTC

This webinar presentation addressed evidence-based strategies for suicide prevention. Situated within the unique stressors of shelter-in-place orders, this webinar was tailored to teletherapy and discussed the distinct factors related to suicidal crises among diverse populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This webinar paid particular attention to social determinants of health related to elevated suicide rates among various populations including LGBTQ people, Veterans, Native Americans, and Latina youth and young adults.

Culturally Responsive Programs to Improve Access to Mental Health Services to Hispanics/Latinx Community | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Culturally Responsive Strategies to Promote Student Success | Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC and National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This webinar provides strategies to facilitate culturally responsive supports for student mental health and affirming approaches that capitalize on student strengths and avoid reinforcing stigmatizing beliefs.

Culture: An Integral Part of Mental Health Services for Hispanic and Latino Populations | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This training provides a description of the current distribution of Hispanic and Latino populations throughout the US, characteristics, possible barriers to services including disparities in mental health treatment and concepts that may be useful in the mental health treatment of Hispanics and Latinos in the US.

Culture: An Integral Part of Mental Health Services for Hispanics and Latinos (Virtual Training Series). Session 4 – Resources for Clinicians that May Promote Cultural Responsiveness | Central East MHTTC

This training curriculum further develops the skills of mental health providers working with Hispanic and Latino populations, thus reducing disparities in services and improving outcomes. Participants also learn about promoting a strength-based approach to treatment, and using the Cultural Formulation Interview as part of an assessment when working with these populations.

Recording coming soon!

Culture and Mental Health Among Central and South Americans Living in the United States | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This one and half-hour online session provides information on 10th, 11th, and 12th largest populations of Hispanic origin living in the United States; each group accounted for 1% of the U.S. Hispanic population in 2017. The presenter provides information about the languages, traditions, customs, values, spirituality, and the social, historical, and political context that led them to immigrate to the United States.

Deconstructing Unconscious Bias in Behavioral Health Care | Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC, Northeast and Caribbean ATTC, and Northeast and Caribbean PTTC

This series was developed to provide professionals with a review of implicit bias and how it negatively affects communications, interactions, decision-making and service outcomes for racial and ethnic communities; and offer tools and approaches to address, mitigate and diminish the effects of unconscious bias in the addiction, mental health, and prevention disciplines in order to collectively affect equitable outcomes for persons of color.

Part 1: Origins of Unconscious Bias - This first session of the four-part series will discuss how cognitive bias develops, how it is sustained by intrinsic and environmental factors, and how it contributes to inequitable outcomes for persons of color in behavioral health care. Recording coming soon!
Part 2: Making the Case to Identify Not Blame - Building off the psychological framework of unconscious bias as discussed in the first session, this second presentation will review and inform on how unconscious bias is reflected in words, communications, and relations toward persons of color through case scenarios reflecting its impact in the addiction, mental health, and prevention settings. Recording coming soon!
Part 3: Dismantling Bias and Building Equity - This third session will offer practical tools and strategies for organizations and providers to identify and address unconscious bias and support the delivery of culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS). Recording coming soon!
Part 4: Learning from the Field - This fourth session brings together a panel of direct service providers who work closely with communities of color and are actively engaged in facilitating strategies that identify and mitigate unconscious bias to ensure delivery of culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Depression, Alcohol and Farm Stress: Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders in Rural America | Mountain Plains MHTTC and Mountain Plains ATTC

With support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Mountain Plains ATTC and the Mountain Plains MHTTC collaborated to release a resource guide to assist rural healthcare providers with screening and assessment of alcohol use disorder and depression. The guide uses a case scenario to illustrate the most common barriers encountered in identifying co-occurring disorders and underscores the unique needs of rural communities that are home to agricultural producers.

Discussion Group for MH Providers of the Hispanic/Latino Community | New England MHTTC, Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC, and National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Are you a mental health provider? Does the population you serve include Latinos/Hispanics? Are you willing to share your experience providing services to Latinos/Hispanics? The goal of this facilitated discussion with providers was to learn about the cultural considerations necessary to facilitate behavioral health recovery in Hispanic/Latino Communities.

Recordings for the English and Portuguese sessions are coming soon!

El Impacto del COVID-19 en Latinos: Violencia Intrafamiliar y el Plan de Preparación Familiar | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Este adiestramiento virtual de una hora y media proporcionó información sobre cómo abordar el impacto de los esfuerzos de prevención de COVID-19 en familias latinas. Entre los objetivos de esta presentación se encuentran el reconocer las consecuencias para la salud mental y el aumento de violencia doméstica debido a la cuarentena por COVID-19.

Recording coming soon!

Elevating Language through COVID-19 | Southeast MHTTC

“Elevating Language through COVID-19” provided a 360-degree view of the language of behavioral health. In the training, we took a peer-centered look at how language is used by others to describe us, how we use language to describe ourselves, and how language can increase or decrease stigma and access to quality mental health recovery and wellness supports.

In Part One: The Power of Language, we looked at the behavioral health language that has emerged through the COVID-19 pandemic, and discuss alternatives and opportunities.
In Part Two: Creating the Elevating Message, participants developed a two-minute message of behavioral health hope and possibility to use when advocating for behavioral health supports and services.

Engaging with Clients Over the Telephone and Using Texts | Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC

Amid the current COVID-19 social distancing and stay at home orders, many behavioral health providers have quickly shifted their primary interactions with clients to remote engagement. However, for many people access to a computer or tablet and reliable internet service is not available. This tool provides information about strategies for quality engagement with clients using the phone.

Family Therapy: A Culturally Sensitive Modality When Working With Immigrant Latino Families | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This webinar discusses concepts and skills related to family therapy as well as the cultural values that may be incorporated into therapy with Latino children and adolescents. The speakers discuss a case that illustrates the application of structural family therapy with a young Mexican girl and their family using active listening, play therapy, cultural elements of familismo, spirituality, and personalismo in treatment provision.

Farm Stress: Facts, Impact of COVID-19, and Resource and Training Needs of Mental Health Care Providers | Mid-America MHTTC, Mountain Plains MHTTC, Mid-America ATTC, and Mountain Plains ATTC

MHTTC team members from two regions contacted key stakeholders in May 2020 to assess the impact of the farm crisis and perceptions regarding next steps. Feedback from these providers and key stakeholders is included in this brief along with updated data related to farm stress and mental health implications. The brief also provides a long list of resources for assisting providers in addressing the mental health of farmers and their families.

Fatiga por Compasión: Prevención y Estrategias para Promotores de la Salud que Ofrecen Servicios a Hispanos y Latinos | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Este adiestramiento virtual de una hora y media proporcionó información sobre cómo la fatiga por compasión impacta a los profesionales de ayuda y a cuidadores al intervenir con personas que están experimentando mucho dolor. La presentadora proveyó concienciación sobre las personas en riesgo de desarrollar fatiga por compasión y a su vez, se identificaron las señales y/o síntomas.

Gender Diversity in a New Decade: Affirmative Care with Transgender and Non-Binary Persons | South Southwest MHTTC

This webinar aimed to increase participants’ understanding of the diversity of gender expression, gender identity, and biological sex. We strove to expand attendees’ knowledge beyond the gender binary by providing an overview of community experiences, identity markers and meanings, research related to the construct of gender minority stress, and potential differences in journeys for binary transgender and non-binary transgender persons.

Guiding the Shepherd and Shepherding the Flock in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic | Central East MHTTC

This webinar series explores how faith-based community leadership can build mental health capacity in the midst of COVID-19. It addresses the need to assist these leaders in (1) improving their general knowledge base around mental and emotional disorders and (2) removing the stigma regarding mental health issues. By incorporating a cross-collaboration between faith leaders and psychiatric practitioners, the three-part series aims to improve the overall well-being of African-American communities during and beyond the current pandemic.

Hearing the Truth about Racism in Recovery: A Listening Session | Southeast MHTTC

In this listening session, we gather data from the lived experience of Certified Peer Specialists to document where we are in our efforts to eliminate racism as a barrier to recovery, in preparation for our further discussions on what steps we need to take to improve recovery and wellness outcomes in our behavioral healthcare system.

How Implicit Bias Affects Our Work: Relationships with Clients | Pacific Southwest MHTTC

Kick off your summer learning season with the Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC)’s webinar series on Implicit Bias in Mental Health Services! Everyone has implicit biases. It is important to become mindful of how they can show up and impact our work with others. We explore the dynamics of implicit bias and its impact on decision-making in behavioral health spaces.

Implications for Latinos with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) During a Pandemic | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Minority groups are underrepresented in the research on coordinated specialty care (CSC). New Mexico (NM) has the highest percentage of Hispanics and Latinos (48.8%) and the second-highest percent of Native Americans (8.7%) in the U.S. Therefore, NM is in a unique position to better understand the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of Hispanics and other minorities (H&OM) referred to and enrolled in CSC and to learn about the communities in which they live.

Implications of the Psychological First Aid among Hispanic/Latinx populations during the pandemic | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This four-hour online session, divided in two days, discusses an evidence-based modular approach to help children, adolescents, adults, and families immediately after a disaster and terrorism. It is intended to provide tools and techniques for rapid response teams, service providers, healthcare professionals, and volunteers.

Improving Mental Health Service Access for Farming and Rural Communities | Great Lakes MHTTC and Mountain Plains MHTTC

Session 1: Improving Mental Health Care by Understanding the Culture of Farming and Rural Communities - This webinar addresses the mental health crisis and unique stressors caused by COVID-19 within farming and rural/frontier communities. Presenters speak to the ways health practitioners and community leaders should address stigma, stressors, mental risk factors, and provide treatment resources in these communities.
Session 2: Approaching and Treating Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders in Farming and Rural Communities - This webinar discusses co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders in farming and rural communities. Speakers outline the prevalence of mental health and substance use co-occurring disorders, linking research to real-world impact of these disorders, and also touched on the impact of COVID-19 within these communities.
Session 3: Providing Mental Health Telehealth Services in Farming and Rural Communities - This webinar addresses how the COVID-19 pandemic affects access to care, specifically mental health services. Presenters discuss how access to care is critical for farming and rural and frontier communities and highlighted the unique barriers these communities face.
Session 4: Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Use Disorders in Farming and Rural Communities: Assessment, Ethics, and Preventing Compassion Fatigue - This webinar provides additional information for using assessment tools to screen for co-occurring disorders in farming and rural populations, examines the unique ethical considerations created by providing care in small communities, and touches on ways to identify and prevent provider compassion fatigue.

Increased Risks for IPV in Latinas During the COVID-19 Pandemic | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Rates of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among Latinas are similar to those of other groups. However, Latinas may experience added barriers such as limited access, limited English proficiency, and shortage of culturally responsive services and professionals. While social distancing and quarantine are the most effective and recommended measures to limit COVID-19 contagion, it may create added risks for survivors of IPV.

Indian Health Care Providers Series | Northwest MHTTC

Part 1 - Addressing Barriers and Highlighting Innovations in Telebehavioral Health: This event is an open engagement/discussion among participants focused on addressing barriers and highlighting innovations in telebehavioral health. Recording coming soon!
Part 2 - Introduction to Telebehavioral Health: This event features Dr. Chris Fore, Director, IHS TeleBehavioral Health Center of Excellence at Indian Health Service, presents “Introduction to Telebehavioral Health for IHCPs”, covering topics such as defining telehealth, workflow considerations, configuring the space and privacy issues, billing and reimbursement and special considerations and more. Recording coming soon!

Institutional Racism and How it Impacts the Latinx Experience as it Relates to Behavioral Health TTC Series | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC, National Hispanic and Latino ATTC, and National Hispanic and Latino PTTC

Part 1 - This webinar discusses terms related to racism, institutional racism, and prejudice and their impact on the mental health of communities of color. The presenter addresses, practices, policies, and regulations that perpetuate an imbalance of power and opportunity in mental health systems for communities of color and will provide recommendations for practitioners.
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Language Matters: Exploring the Impacts of How we Talk about Race | Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC and National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This webinar examines the language we use to describe marginalized populations and how cultural bias, prejudice, historical trauma, and socialization can impact the words we use and how they impact our students.

Let's Talk About Resilience: Supporting the Mental Health of Latinx Youth and Young Adults | New England MHTTC

Nearly one in four youth and young adults (YYA) in the United States identify as Latinx or Hispanic. As Latinx people are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its far-reaching effects on their families and communities, it is more important than ever for organizations and practitioners to increase their capacity to support Latinx YYA in coping with the many challenges they face.

Liberty, Humiliation, and Identity: Race and the Suffering of America | Great Lakes MHTTC

In the recorded presentation, Liberty, Humiliation, and Identity: Race and the Suffering of America, Albert Thompson covered how to engage in a dialogue about physical and mental health that encompasses societal morbidity. We examined how particular events in our history demonstrate the consequences of racial views and our need to listen and engage.

Managing Anxiety and Depression for LGBTQ Populations in COVID-19 | Central East MHTTC

This webinar explores what makes LGBTQ people particularly at risk for anxiety and depression, as well as related outcomes like substance misuse and suicidality, and underline the ways that COVID-19 increases these vulnerabilities. Participants explore warning signs, effective interventions, and community supports that help builds resilience for these populations.

Mental Health & Equity in Schools | South Southwest MHTTC

This webinar focused on teaching general mental health, including the signs/symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation as well as practical steps teachers can take to support students. Additionally the webinar focused on the stressors and mental health implications of COVID/race/police/equity issues in the world right now as they impact high school students.

Mental Health Bytes: Mental Health Disparities Among Hispanic and Latino Populations | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This Mental Health Byte features Luis R. Torres, Ph.D. from the University of Texas in Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Torres provides an overview of the main health and mental health care disparities that Hispanic and Latino populations’ are facing daily. It includes social determinants of health, specific types of mental health disparities like; rates of psychiatric disorders, access to high quality, evidence-based and culturally grounded treatment, and treatment outcomes.

Mental Health Challenges, Racial Inequality, Burnout, & Telepsychiatry during COVID-19: An Overview | Southeast MHTTC

This infographic highlights the current stressors that may impact mental health patients and providers during this time as well as provides additional resources for addressing these challenges.

Mental Health Disparities among Hispanic and Latino Populations | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Disparities in health care and mental health care services in Hispanics and Latinos are found extensively. The National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC developed a booklet that emphasizes the social determinants of health (SDOH), as well as non-medical health-related social needs (HRSN) and their impact on mental health outcomes. It offers recommendations for mental health providers, researchers, and consumers to reduce disparities among Latino communities, including increasing awareness and the importance of being trained in culturally grounded evidence-based interventions.

Mental Health in Our Native American Communities Volume 2 Issue 1 Summer 2020 | National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC

The National American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Technology Transfer Center would like to share with you Volume 2, Issue 1 of our newsletter, Mental Health in our Native American Communities for Summer 2020: Caring for Our Relations: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Indian Country. Please take a few moments to explore this issue.

Mental Health Issues Among Older Hispanic and Latino Adults in the United States | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Latino older adults are considered heterogenic and are underrepresented in research, posing challenges for practitioners. Some of the most prevalent mental health disorders among older Latinos include depression, neurocognitive disorders due to Alzheimer´s disease, and other neurocognitive disorders. Now available in Spanish!

National Hispanic Heritage Month: Unpacking What It Means to Work with Latinx Clients and their Families | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This two-part booklet was developed to honor the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect moment to discuss and highlight issues and challenges that agencies, organizations, and mental health providers face regarding Latino clients' mental health services. This booklet is intended to be a culturally appropriate resource for diverse mental health professionals serving Latinx clients.

Part I: Unpacking What It Means to Work with Latinx Clients and their Families explains some of the significant differences that are fundamental to take into consideration during treatment delivery in the remarkably diverse Latinx community. Recommendations to increase health equities and to combat stigma about mental health conditions and treatment are provided.
Part II:

Native Youth Telehealth Initiative | National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC

This is a recording of the Native Youth Telehealth Initiative Webinar, which took place on May 14, 2020. The recording begins at slide 12 of the presentation. Dr. George Baston, MHRD, Ed.D CTE, and Natasha Peterson, BS, covered how to implement telehealth using the “Let’s Talk Interactive” platform and opportunities to collaborate with the National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC.

Pandemia: Restoring the Wounded Soul. Latino Reflections on the Meaning of Loss, Grief, and Rituals | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

The presenters discussed Latinos' values and rituals as they relate to the current pandemic. The importance of the therapeutic relationship were discussed as well as approaches and strategies that promote new rituals, new meanings, and transformative experience. Two case studies were included for group discussion.

Providing Culturally Relevant Crisis Services During COVID-19 | Great Lakes MHTTC

Part 1: The Morbidity of National Trust and Mental Health Disparities - Past, Present, and Future: In this presentation, Thompson expanded our focus from the world's present circumstances so we can better understand how society has responded to past health crises and the disproportionately devastating impact these events had, and continue to have, on marginalized populations as a result of prejudicial treatment and economic disadvantage.
Part 2: Culturally Responsive Factors in COVID-19: Providing mental health services in the present and future conditions will require a new consideration for cultural elements and linguistic tools via a re-imagined perspective on policy and technology when serving culturally diverse communities. Dr. Michelle Evans guided us through the use of these tools, the challenges, and the opportunities we now have amid a crisis.
Part 3: Culturally Responsive Factors to Consider for the Hmong Population: Providing mental health services in the present and future conditions will require a new consideration for cultural elements and linguistic tools when serving culturally diverse communities. Dr. Pang Foua Yang Rhodes discussed how cultural values, historical trauma, and acculturation may influence how Hmong individuals and communities respond to large scale crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological wellbeing of undocumented immigrants in the US- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This one and half-hour online session provides an overview of the sociopolitical stressors impacting the psychological wellbeing of undocumented immigrants in the US, including recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The training also includes a review of the cultural strengths and resilience exhibited by this immigrant community.

PTSD and Trauma in Hispanic and Latino Military Families | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This one-hour online session discussed the intersection between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in Latino military families. In this presentation, we discussed information processing models explaining the link between PTSD and IPV and potential moderators of this association, as well as strategies to prevent and treat IPV in this population.

Race and Recovery in the Peer Support Workforce | Southeast MHTTC

Race-Based Mental Health Equity in the Southeast | Southeast MHTTC

This fact sheet summarizes recommendations for eliminating mental health disparities from the American Psychological Association (APA), describes promising practices in the Southeast (HHS Region IV), and lists additional resources.

Racial Equity & Cultural Diversity | MHTTC Network

This web page includes a compilation of products and resources on cultural responsiveness, racial equity and cultural diversity for the mental health workforce, curated by the MHTTC Cultural Responsiveness Working Group.

Racial Equity Resources | Mid-America MHTTC, Mid-America ATTC, and Mid-America PTTC

Racism and discrimination are associated with dire behavioral and physical health issues, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. We know that disparities, inequitable access to services and resources perpetuate these issues. As a start to our efforts to promote behavioral health equity for all, we have compiled some resources that may support you in your work.

Reaching Rural and Frontier Communities During COVID-19 | Mountain Plains MHTTC

This session addresses different strategies and ideas to reach rural and frontier communities. The panelists represented tribal and rural health providers and team members from our Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network.

Recovery in the Hispanic and Latinx Community | Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC

Recovery can be supported by practices and services that encourage participant engagement, community inclusion, valued social roles, and overall wellness. This webinar introduced recovery from SMI and many of the evidence-based and promising practices that support recovery in the Hispanic and Latinx community.

Resource Guide for Mental Health Providers During COVID-19 | National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC

This is a list of resources that have been compiled (and continues to be updated weekly) during the National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC's ongoing series: Strategies of Support for Mental Health Providers - Empowering one another during times of crisis. This guide is tailored for providers who are Native and/or are working with American Indian and Alaska Native individuals.

Rural Primary Care Tools and Resources for Managing Suicidal Ideation During COVID-19 | Mountain Plains MHTTC

COVID-19 has created additional stress on our rural and agricultural communities who were experiencing a host of stressors prior to the pandemic. Concerns about a possible increase in deaths by suicide and serving people with suicidal ideation are the source of increased distress among rural health and mental healthcare providers. This webinar offered tools for primary care providers working in rural areas to address these concerns.

Rural Social Isolation and Loneliness Series | Mountain Plains MHTTC

In this session one, trainers discuss what has changed as a result of the current health pandemic, how we can prepare rural providers to ask questions to determine isolation/loneliness, and more. Session two provides examples of programs that address rural isolation among older adults, and how they have adapted during the health pandemic. Finally, the third session focuses on grief and loss and supports available in rural areas.

Part 1 - Rural Social Isolation and Loneliness: Rates, Importance, and Identifying Risk: In this session, participants learn about loneliness and social isolation among older adults in rural and urban areas. Dr. Henning Smith speaks to the data, what we know, how social isolation and loneliness are unique in rural areas, and how rural social isolation is a health and mortality risk factor.
Part 2 - The Evolving Nature of Social Connections: Promoting Well-Being in Times of Crisis: This session addresses programs designed to make connections between and among individuals and organizations to promote well-being in the aging population.
Part 3 - Rural but Reachable: How to Build Grief Support by Creating Community: This session addresses the unique qualities of our rural environments which lend people to create community surrounding the common denominator of grief. Attendees explored the ways in which they can start developing connections in their own communities to support those in grief and individuals experiencing loss.

Shining a Light on API Mental Health in the Time of COVID-19 | Pacific Southwest MHTTC

This Pacific Southwest MHTTC webinar on systems and agency leadership approaches embraces trauma-informed care. This session helped leaders to understand the fundamentals of leading their organization towards becoming more trauma-informed and resilience-oriented. The content blended brain science, principles for building a safe environment, and promising practices for trauma-informed systems.

Social Justice and COVID-19 | New England MHTTC

In this webinar we discuss our experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic as Black and Latina women. Participants will speak from their lived experience.

Strategies for Advancing Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in the Pacific Southwest's (HHS Region 9) Mental Health Workforce | Pacific Southwest MHTTC

This guide provides practical strategies for increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in your mental health organization or agency. Highlighting specific cultures and communities of the Pacific Southwest, this guide includes concrete examples, tools, and research-informed strategies to help employers develop and maintain a workforce that is reflective of diverse communities and responsive to their needs. The guide is organized into three sections: recruitment, hiring, and retention.

Stress Management During Quarantine for Mental Health Providers Serving Latino Clients | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Hosted by the National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC, this webinar recording identified stressors particular to the Hispanic and Latino population that can be exacerbated during quarantine as a result of infectious disease outbreaks. Also, the webinar addressed stress management tools during a stressful event such as a pandemic for mental health providers to use with their Hispanic and Latino clients. Special considerations for Latino youth mental health were also provided. Now available in Spanish!

Suicide Prevention in Rural Primary Care: Intervention, Follow-up, and Telehealth Tips | Mountain Plains MHTTC

This 90 minute training is part two in a two-part series on suicide prevention in rural primary care offices. This session covers intervention including medication, safety planning, documentation, and follow-up for patients expressing suicidal ideation as well as tips for helping patients via telehealth.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. among people ages 10-24 years old and has disproportionately increased Latinx and Hispanic adolescents and young adults, who have elevated rates of suicidal behaviors. This 1.5 hour online session provides information about identifying suicide-related risk in Latinx and Hispanic youth and reviews evidence-based practices to screen for risk across various settings.

Supporting Latinx Students and Caregivers Emotional and Mental Health Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center is hosting a 3-part webinar series on Supporting Hispanic and Latino Students Emotional and Mental Health Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Part 1 - This webinar examines the difference between social distancing and social disconnection and provides strategies to manage the emotional aftermath of being away from others among children, adolescents, and caregivers with special emphasis on those who identify as Latinx. Recording coming soon!
Part 2 - This webinar discusses the main emotions experienced by children and adolescents and their manifestations and provides strategies for managing those emotions in children, adolescents, and caregivers who identify as Latinx during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recording coming soon!
Part 3 - This webinar identifies different types of grieving and provides strategies for managing grief in children, adolescents, and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recording coming soon!

Tailoring Treatment for Gender and Sexually Diverse Latinx Youth with Suicidal Behaviors | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This one-hour online session focused on the identification and description of common barriers to treatment when working with traumatized Hispanics and Latinos. The presenter provided practical treatment strategies for overcoming these barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic, strategies for effective and efficient trauma processing, and a concrete model for rapid crisis de-escalation based on a case study of a Hispanic client.

Taking on the “Perfect Storm”: Faith-based Organizations and Partnerships Address COVID-19 and Critical Behavioral Health Needs in Communities of Color | MHTTC Network in partnership with the National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health

In many cultures, spirituality is a key driver of well-being and hope. Faith leaders are coming together across communities to organize, support, provide, engage and instill hope. This webinar discusses how faith-based NNED partner organizations are supporting the mental health concerns of racial/ethnic minorities and providing opportunities to receive support and connection through faith-based practices and partnerships.

The Evolution of Latino Identities and Mental Health | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This webinar addresses the different terms that have been used to describe Latino populations and the evolution of such terms throughout history. Presenters discuss how different generations may use different terms to self-identify and variables involved in this process such as acculturation and assimilation.

Recording coming soon!

The Intersection of Racism, Discrimination and Mental Health in Communities of Color | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This panel discusses terms related to racism, institutional racism, and prejudice and their impact on the mental health of communities of color. Panelists address, practices, policies, and regulations that perpetuate an imbalance of power and opportunity in mental health systems for communities of color and provide recommendations for practitioners.

Therapeutic Interventions for Hispanic and Latino Populations with Trauma Experiences: Considerations During the Pandemic | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Think Trauma and Latinos During the Nation's Pandemic Emergency | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This one-hour online session focused on the importance of co-developing the Training of Trainers (TOT) curriculum with the direct participation of community members. We reviewed the implementation of the TOT and the preliminary results, as well as for the creative ways of disseminating the TOT under the nation's COVID-19 crisis. Participants were taught about the importance of partnering with grassroots organizations to develop psychoeducational curricula and become familiar with the impact of the intersection of domestic violence, trauma, and mental health in Latinx children and families.

Trauma and Trauma-Informed Strategies to Support Migrant Students | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

Experiencing or witnessing traumatic events can affect children's and adolescent's mental and emotional wellbeing. Hispanic and Latino children are particularly vulnerable to suffer or witness traumatic events. This one and half-hour online session will provide information on trauma-informed practices at the school setting that can help students manage their emotions and have positive academic and mental health outcomes.

Recording coming soon!

Trauma, Barriers, and Behaviors: The Role of Race | Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC and National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This webinar explores the experiences of trauma among marginalized groups and the behavioral manifestations of trauma you may see among students, as well as barriers impacting life trajectory and seeking mental health supports.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Culturally Adapted Therapy to Work with Latino Families | National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC

This one and half-hour online session discusses the Culturally Modified-Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CM-TFT). Participants learn to recognize TF-CBT components using a case study of a 6-year-old girl from El Salvador exposed to domestic violence, include cultural adaptations while providing therapy to Latino clients and their families, and familiarize themselves with resources and recommendations on TF-CBT for Latinos children and youth.

Understanding Opioid Use in the LGBTQ+ Community | Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC

It is important for behavioral healthcare workers to understand how to best support people with opioid use disorder that identify within the sexual and gender diverse community, as they are disproportionately affected by substance use disorders. This presentation highlighted the impact of opioid use disorder on sexual and gender diverse populations, best practices, trauma-informed care, and behavioral health integration.

Understanding Suicide | National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC

Over the course of these three sessions addressing suicide in Indian Country, we gave providers the tools and understanding of this issue that will help prepare them for addressing this with clients, as well as maintaining personal wellbeing.

Featured Resources:

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Double Jeopardy: COVID-19 and Behavioral Health Disparities for Black and Latino Communities in the U.S.

This SAMHSA brief looks at recent reports that indicate the current pandemic disproportionately impacts communities of color, compounding longstanding racial disparities.

The Opioid Crisis and the Black/African American Population: An Urgent Issue

This newly released SAMHSA report presents data on the prevalence of opioid misuse and death rates in the Black/African American population; contextual factors and challenges to prevention and treatment; and innovative community-based strategies to connect people to evidence-based treatment and support.

Trauma, Racism, Chronic Stress and the Health of Black Americans

There is significant research on the connection between racism, racial violence and health and behavioral health. Racism and associated trauma and violence contribute to mental health disorders, particularly depression, anxiety and PTSD, and chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, maternal mortality/infant mortality and morbidity in African Americans.

NNED

The National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health (NNED) is a network of community-based organizations focused on the mental health and substance use issues of diverse racial and ethnic communities. The NNED supports information sharing, networking, and engagement among organizations and communities dedicated to the behavioral health and well-being of diverse communities. The NNED identifies and links “pockets of excellence” in reducing disparities and promoting behavioral health equity. It strives to avoid the tendency to “reinvent the wheel.” The NNED works with network members to:

Coordinate the sharing of community-based knowledge and training of cultural, indigenous, and community-based best practices
Foster new collaborative partnerships to grow and spread “pockets of excellence”
Leverage resources through partnering and collaborative initiatives
Research and design new practices and adapt existing practices
Collectively advance political will

Historically, there have been issues that have made it difficult for diverse communities to work collectively to reduce the inequities of resources in their respective communities. The NNED tries to bridge these differences through a set of guiding values that include a commitment to:

excellence in behavioral health
a strong community voice
collective dialogue
inclusion, respect and consensus
trust and reciprocity
a strengths-based approach to policy, practice and research
a holistic view of health and wellness across the lifespan
understanding system intersections
understanding of good business principles
flexibility

Other Resources:

SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline is standing by 24/7 to support you during the pandemic & beyond. Toll-free, multilingual, & confidential support services are available to all residents in the U.S. & its territories. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained counselor.

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US-Based MHTTCs

US-Based National MHTTCs