This is a bi-weekly group for school counselors, social workers, and psychologists formed to address the current and immediate needs of school mental health professionals in Region 8, due to the pandemic. Participants met every other week and received training on different topics related to school mental health before walking through a case presentation. This was a closed group. If you are interested in similar programming, please contact Stefanie Winfield at [email protected].
Erin Briley, MA, with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), provided a brief overview of the considerations for remote suicide screening and prevention during quarantine as well as an overview of best practices for suicide screening.
Liza Tupa, PhD, with the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), addressed coping skills for adults during the time of COVID-19. She provided concrete skills and strategies that address harmful or unproductive thinking.
Sarah Younggren, LCSW, with Mental Health Colorado, discussed the ways in which the current pandemic has increased stress levels and impacted the mental health of both children and adults. Unique suggestions and resources for trauma-informed parenting were provided.
Mindy Chadwell, PhD, with Mid-America MHTTC, offered tips and suggestions for providing telehealth services to adolescents. Considerations for transitioning back to school and family engagement in telehealth services were also discussed.
Sharon Hoover, PhD, with the National Center for School Mental Health, discussed considerations for returning to school using an "always and now" framework for school mental health. Participants were provided with an overview of the Multi-tier System of Support and how it can be applied to the coming return to school.