The Southeast MHTTC understands the need for wellness approaches at both the provider level and at the organization level. We are devoted to providing resources and technical assistance to providers looking to enhance personal and professional resilience and to organizations seeking to improve wellness programs, culture, and structures. Learn more about our provider wellness resources by clicking on the links below. 

Products & Resources: 

Webinar Recordings 

• Radical Introspection - Remembering the Person of the Therapist in the Therapy Encounter - Regardless of clinical orientation or technique, effective therapy hinges on the quality of the therapeutic relationship and of the therapist's ability to create and nurture factors of trust, empathy, warmth, non judgment, collaboration, presence and empowerment for the client. Although we would like to believe that we all naturally foster these characteristics in our work, our ability to do this effectively, depends on our ability to know, regulate and challenge ourselves. Radical introspection draws upon the traditions of mindfulness, self inquiry and reflective writing to bring the clinician into a deeper awareness of themselves so they can create more impactful and meaningful therapeutic work. 

• BREATHE Module 1: Reminding Ourselves to BREATHE in Our Work - Mental health care providers currently face a variety of challenges in their work-place setting and are at a high risk for experiencing burnout – negatively impacting professional and personal outcomes. In Module 1 of this 3-module series, Michelle Salyers, PhD, supports individual providers by focusing on building individual resilience and skills. She reviews the concept of burnout and well-being at work while offering practices to reduce burnout and enhance well-being.  Don't have 60 minutes? What about 60 seconds?  Watch our Southeast 60 short video for a quick recap. 

• BREATHE Module 2: Managing Our Workloads - In Module 2 of our 3-part series, Michelle Salyers, PhD, reviews contemplative practices to reduce burnout with a focus on identifying approaches to reclaim our time and better manage time-pressures.  Only have a few minutes for the highlights? No worries. Watch our Southeast 60 short video for a quick recap. 

• BREATHE Module 3: Connecting with Colleagues - In Module 3, Michelle Salyers, PhD, concludes our 3-part series with a focus on building social support and integrating wellness practices into daily life. 

• Bridging Mental Health and Public Health During COVID-19: A Town Hall - The COVID-19 Pandemic has placed both mental health and public health workers on the front lines in an array of on-going stressful situations. As a result, mental health and public health agencies have had to innovate and adapt practices to support and care for their workforce and the populations they serve. This townhall event features a mental health and public health agency representative sharing insight on ways they have addressed COVID-19 while also supporting staff, the value of Mental Health-Public Health partnerships, and the related challenges anticipated during 2021.
  • Region IV Reflections: Read more from our conversation with Dr. Arona as she reflects on challenges faced during COVID-19, strategies used to support her staff, and lessons learned about partnerships and resilience.

• Building Psychological Resilience for the Public Health Workforce during the COVID Pandemic - This webinar offered information on awareness, self-care, and connection with others so public health workers can develop a plan for maintaining their mental health. We discussed common issues such as coping with fear, anxiety, and loss; changing work demands; navigating family relationships; and coping with an uncertain future as the pandemic continues

• Compassion Fatigue: Managing During Troubling Times - Many workers have been pushed to the limit as they seek to adjust to a “new normal.” This presentation defined and identified signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue while also offering suggestions in avoiding and/or overcoming compassion fatigue. We also discussed healthy self-care activities while developing boundaries and a balance between work and home life. View the accompanying infographic here.

• Peer Workforce Well-Being in the Southeast - Self-care is an important part of life for many peer specialists. What that looks like will vary from peer specialist to peer specialist (just as it differs from person to person). Learning from a peer specialist what self-care looks like for them is important in establishing and managing expectations for the peer specialist, their supervisor, and their organization. Join Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network as they discuss challenges to and strategies for supporting and enhancing peer workforce well-being.

• The Second Pandemic: Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 - Dr. Raymond Kotwicki examines two ramifications of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. The first centers on individuals who directly contracted the virus and how it affects their own mental health. Preliminary data suggest that between 20% and 30% of all people infected with Covid-19 will develop some mental illness within 90 days of infection. Such additional demand will place an even greater burden on an already-stressed mental health care system. Second, efforts to continue serving patients in a safe way while managing personal lifestyle upheaval has taken its toll on many health care workers including mental health clinicians. Strategies to help create a safe and resilient workforce are offered.
  • Region IV Reflections: Read more from our conversation with Dr. Kotwicki as he reflects on personal and professional growth opportunities during the pandemic. 

Infographics 

• Mental Health Provider Burnout and Clinical Supervision - Burnout is a major issue facing mental health providers; however, research suggests there are ways organizations can support the wellbeing of their workforce. This infographic explores the signs of provider burnout as well as discusses the role of supervision in minimizing its impact.  

• BREATHE 3-module Seminar Series Infographic - Mental health care providers continue to face a variety of challenges in their work-place setting and are at a high risk for experiencing burnout – negatively impacting professional and personal outcomes. This infographic serves as an accompaniment to our 3-module BREATHE Provider Well-being series, facilitated by Michelle Salyers, PhD, and reviews the concept of burnout and well-being at work as well as offers practices to reduce burnout and enhance well-being. 

Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance: Please contact us at [email protected] for information about technical assistance opportunities.  

MHTTC Network Resources

• MHTTC Network Provider Well-Being website - The MHTTC Network Provider Well-Being website offers a variety of resources for behavioral health providers: access a self-care e-learning course on healtheknowledge.org, attend a wellness webinar, or download supporting mental health toolkits. Resources and content are updated often!

SAMHSA Resources

• Coping with Stress and Compassion Fatigue - This SAMHSA tip sheet explores stress and compassion fatigue, as well as signs of distress after a disaster. It identifies ways to cope and enhance resilience, along with resources for more information and support.