Recent News

March 19, 2020 The American Psychological Association (APA) is providing an online learning opportunity for mental health staff and providers addressing the challenges of transitioning to technology supported systems of care. Keeping the Office Going: Ethical and Legal Telehealth Practices for the Provider and Staff will be held on March 20, 2020 at 11:00 Mountain. […]

On March 17, 2020, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced, effective immediately, that it will exercise its enforcement discretion and will waive potential penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients through everyday communications technologies during the COVID-19 nationwide public health […]

March 17, 2020 This tip sheet provided by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration discusses common emotions experienced during and after social distancing, isolation, and quarantine. It provides suggestions for coping with thoughts and feelings during a crisis and ways of caring for your emotional and behavioral health. Read the full tip sheet, Taking […]

March 17, 2020 During and after a disaster it is normal to experiencing feelings of stress, anxiety, grief, and worry. Feelings will change over time, with everyone experiencing them differently. It is important to notice and accept how you feel. By taking care of your emotional health during an emergency, it will help you to […]

On March 8th, 2020, The Southeast MHTTC School Supplement Team funded a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom Training in Panama City, FL. The goal of this training was to prepare volunteers to join educators and other school staff in a Trauma-Informed Student Support Strategies for Educators training and then facilitate use of strategies in the classroom and other […]

The American Indian and Alaska Native Leadership Academy gathered at the end of February in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico for a successful enhancement session. The mentees gave inspiring mid-year presentations focusing on the progress of their projects. A few examples are Mashaya Engel, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe’s work on “Importance of Community Involvement”, Jason Butler, […]

This book evaluates the affect social isolation and loneliness have on health and quality of life in those aged 50 and older, highlighting vulnerable populations, including those living in rural communities. Recommendations are made on screening for negative health impacts related to social isolation and developing interventions to help address this issue in clinical settings. […]

March 5, 2020 Suicide Prevention Across the Educational Continuum: Six-Part Webinar Series The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center has partnered with the Mountain Plains Prevention Technology Transfer Center to host a six-part webinar series entitled, Suicide Prevention Across the Educational Continuum. This series will provide participants with information related to suicide prevention and […]

See the new practice brief, prepared by Maria Hermsen-Kritz.  Peer support is fast emerging as a promising and widely endorsed addition to the array of mental health services available to young people experiencing serious mental health conditions. This practice brief offers strategies for supporting youth peer support specialists and addressing common challenges they face. See […]

The 2020 South Southwest First Episode Psychosis (FEP) Conference concluded on Aug. 5, 2020.  Thank you to all of our wonderful presenters! If you were not able to join us at the conference, you can still access the recorded presentations and slides.  Transforming Our Culture: Embracing Lived Experience and Evidence (Sale, Caruso, & Buekea) Future Directions […]

  Editors' Note: This story ran in our March newsletter, published March 4.   This fall, the Mid-America MHTTC will debut the first in a series of free online educational modules in the field of integrated care.   Ultimately, three courses consisting of several topic-specific modules will be available for anyone practicing or wanting to […]

  Editors' Note: This story ran in our March newsletter, published March 4.   Dr. Bill Baerentzen, serious mental illness program lead for the Mid-America MHTTC, spent Jan. 29-30 training 18 Iowa professionals to become Permanent Supportive Housing Fidelity Assessors.   The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) publishes an evidence-based practice (EBP) […]

SAMHSA is pleased to share its National Guidelines for Mental Health Crisis Care: A Best Practices Toolkit. Crisis services are an integral component of addressing mental illness in communities across the nation. These guidelines are intended to assist states and communities with the development and implementation of effective crisis services and systems. Download the National Guidelines […]

Assisting Community Leaders with the Psychosocial Impacts of Disaster   March 12, 2020 Dr. Andrew J. McLean spoke to the best practices for responding to the psychosocial impacts of disasters. This session focused on understanding the importance of risk communication to mitigate mental health problems during disasters, reviewed the phases of disaster as it pertains […]

February 27, 2020 Michigan's doctor deficit renders mental health services difficult to find in rural areas. According to a report by the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center, the state has approximately 11.84 clinicians per 100,000 people. That's worse than the national average of 12.9 clinicians per 100,000 people. […]

February 24, 2020 This article offers an interview with Jeff Bender, director of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health's Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. Bender talks about unique challenges farmers face that may affect their mental health, outlines the signs someone may be struggling with their mental health, and even offers […]

The Point Pleasant Boro school district is moving forward to working with the Northeast and Caribbean Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) to deal with mental health challenges at the schools. Catch this great article about the initiative in the Point Pleasant Patch!

This study addresses the prevalence of pediatric developmental disabilities in both rural and urban areas, as well as the use of services for children with developmental issues in both populations. Statistics from the 2015–2018 National Health Interview Survey were used to evaluate the incidence of parent- or guardian-reported diagnosis of a developmental disability. Developmental disabilities […]

Brookline Center partners with school systems to support the development and execution of the Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (BRYT) programs. The BRYT programs help students return to school after extended mental health-related absences. The center helps schools recognize possible funding sources to connect students with the appropriate resources. Ninety percent of BRYT students […]

HOW DO HEART CONDITIONS AFFECT HISPANIC AND LATINOS MENTAL HEALTH MISDIAGNOSIS?   Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are considered the first cause of death among all United States cultural groups, except for the Hispanic and Latino population.1 CVD among Latinx patients are considered the second cause of death, and 1 in 3 adults in the United States have […]

Alabama State Department of Education and Alabama Department of Mental Health aim to expand the School Based Mental Health Services Program to more schools systems in Alabama.  To read more, CLICK HERE.

This month the National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC is recognizing the Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). This year TDVAM campaign focuses on providing teens with knowledge about teen dating violence and encouraging them to share what you know with your family or peers (#1Thing).   What do you need to know about TDV among […]

February 13, 2020 Mental wellness is central to ensuring a child’s best start. Schools (where children spend most of their waking hours) often recognize that addressing a student’s mental health and social emotional needs lead to better outcomes. Students are healthier, happier, and more likely to succeed. Yet many schools lack the resources to provide […]

February 13, 2020 People with mental illness involved in the justice system are often incarcerated instead of receiving community-based mental healthcare. Consequently, they are over-represented in the U.S. correctional system. There is a high prevalence of mental illness and drug use among inmates who re-enter society without the necessary support following incarceration. It happens for […]