September Observances


National Recovery Month seeks to educate the public on how substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives.
Resources
- Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network: Offers trainings, technical assistance and resources for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field
- SAMHSA Recovery Month: Recovery Month events and recovery resources
- Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders Resources: A compilation of resources, training opportunities and technical assistance related to substance use and co-occuring disorders from the Northwest MHTTC
MHTTC Products
- Co-occurring Disorders: Compassionate Care for Healing and Recovery - Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC, this recorded webinar explores best practices in supporting people living with co-occurring conditions to promote long term recovery and successful reintegration into their community of choice.
- Equity, Recovery, & Resilience - Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC, this recorded webinar focuses on defining equity and examining actionable steps toward inclusive practices in recovery.
- Listening to Voices of Lived Experience in Recovery - Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC, this recorded webinar features a facilitated panel conversation among individuals in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges.
- Recovery-Oriented Practice Webinar Series with Patricia E. Deegan, PhD. Session 1: Navigating Risk: The Dignity of Risk and the Duty to Care - Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC, this recorded webinar discusses how to translate the foundational principles of recovery (choice, self-determination and the importance of relationships) into real world practice.
- Creating Environments Where Person Centered Planning Drives Recovery-Oriented Transformation - Hosted by the New England MHTTC, this recorded webinar will help you set the stage for recovery-oriented transformation through establishing an environment where the condition of being human is priority number one and the evidence-based practice of Person Centered Planning (PCP) is activated across the system of care.

We observe Suicide Prevention Awareness Month to remember those affected by suicide and to raise awareness of resources for suicide prevention.
In addition, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. Across the world, nearly three quarters of a million people end their lives by their own hand each year. World Suicide Prevention Day aims to educate world citizens on suicide and raise awareness about the help available to those suffering from depression and addiction and contemplating suicide.
Resources
- 988 and Crisis Services: A compilation of crisis services resources and events from the MHTTC Network
- Suicide prevention resources compiled by the Northwest MHTTC: Includes websites, toolkits, videos, articles, statistics and other resources related to suicide prevention
MHTTC Products
- LEARN® Saves Lives Suicide Prevention Training for Parents/Caregivers - Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC, this recorded webinar for parents and caregivers of school-aged youth teaches essential skills for suicide prevention.
- Maximizing Therapeutic Alliance in Suicide Risk Assessment, Management, and Treatment - Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC, this recorded webinar addresses suicide risk assessment, prevention, and treatment.
- Overview of Clinical Suicidology: Theories, Assessment, Interventions, and Treatments - Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC, this recorded webinar provides an overview of clinical suicidology, including the prevailing theories, assessment, interventions, and treatments.
- Black Youth Suicide Prevention - Hosted by the Central East MHTTC, this recorded webinar explores the increasing rise in Black youth suicides over the last three decades and discuss possible contributing factors related to this public health emergency.
- Dying to Ask for Help: Suicide Trends and Treatment Disparities Among U.S. Adolescents - Hosted by the Central East MHTTC, this recorded webinar covers suicide trends and disparities among youth.
- Suicide Risk Fact Sheet - Created by the Central East MHTTC, this fact sheet will help teachers, school staff and other education stakeholders increase their awareness and understanding of suicide attempts and contributing factors among youth through age 18.

We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to honor the many contributions and positive impacts the Hispanic and Latine community has had on our world.
Resources
- Mental Health America: Latinx/Hispanic Communities and Mental Health: Latinx mental health statistics and resources
- National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC: Provides high-quality training and technical assistance to improve the capacity of the workforce serving Hispanic and Latinx communities in behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery
- National Latino Behavioral Health Association: Offers conferences and trainings, and seeks to facilitate a unified national voice for Latinx populations in the behavioral health arena
- SAMHSA Hispanic/Latino Behavioral Health Equity: Includes national survey reports, agency and federal initiatives, and related behavioral health and Spanish-language resources
Articles of Interest
- Celebrating Latino Culture and Creating Change by Katharine Campos at NAMI
- Why We Should Be Talking about Mental Health among Latinx Communities by Luis E. Basurto at Urban Institute
MHTTC Products
- MHTTC Cultural Responsiveness Resources and Products - This compilation from the MHTTC Network offers trainings, events, products, and resources for specific populations, including Hispanic and Latino communities.
- Increasing Cultural Connection with Hispanic and Latinx Clients - Hosted by the Northwest MHTTC and the National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC, this recorded webinar series discusses cultural needs and treatment adaptations that can best serve the Hispanic and Latinx populations.
- Join the Conversation: Familia Adelante (Multi-risk Reduction Behavioral Health Prevention for Latino Youth & Families) - Hosted by the MHTTC Network, this recorded webinar discusses how Familia Adelante is being implemented with various cultural groups in different regions and shares lessons learned during the implementation of Familia Adelante.
- The Latinx LGBT+ Community: The Consequences of Intersectionality and the Use of the Affirmative Model for Latinx Populations - Hosted by the National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC, this recorded webinar discusses the Minority Stress Model as it describes the excessive stress to which individuals of stigmatized social categories are exposed as a result of their social position, and its impact on mental health. The presenter also addresses how Latinx cultural values can shape the coping mechanisms used to manage these stressors.
- Suicide Attempts and Culturally Responsive Approaches for Latinos Factsheet: Created by the National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC, this fact sheet covers the developmental issues of adolescence and cultural and family systems that bear on Latino’s suicide attempts.

This month brings attention to the positive aspects of growing older.
Resources
- Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging: Provides education, implementation resources, and technical assistance regarding mental health, substance use, and their intersection with physical health for older adults
- Health & Human Services Healthy Aging: Includes resources on staying active, staying connected to your community, nutrition, finding care and more for older adults
- National Institute on Aging: Offers health information and other resources for aging
MHTTC Products
- Research Brief: Integrated Care for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness and Medical Comorbidity: Evidence-Based Models and Future Research Directions - Developed by the Northwest MTHTC, this document provides a summary of evidence-based integrated models of care that address the mental and physical health needs of adults with SMI.
- Grief and Loss: An Active Approach for Older Adults - Hosted by the MHTTC Network, this recorded webinar discusses how having an active approach to grief can empower both older adults and those who serve them to manage this human experience.
- Integrated Care Needs of Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness & Implications for Effective Care Transitions - Hosted by the Central East MHTTC, this recorded webinar discuses integrated care needs of older adults with SMI.

September is Deaf Awareness Month, bringing visibility to and awareness of the communication needs and unique identity of Deaf and hard of hearing people.
Resources
- Northwest ADA Center – This organization provides information, training, and technical assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to individuals, businesses, and organizations in the Northwest region.
- DAWN – Disabilities Awareness and Advocacy Network – This organization provides advocacy, education, and support services to individuals with disabilities, including peer support groups and employment services.
- Deaf Community FAQ & Inclusive Tips for the Deaf Community