In the wake of the recent mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, it’s vital to remember that recovery and healing take time, compassion, and support. Recognizing that everyone affected by this tragedy will navigate grief and trauma uniquely, the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center is offering specific behavioral health resources to support survivors, their loved ones, as well as the larger community.
This two-day hybrid conference will explore progress and updates on the Massachusetts Strategic Plan for Early Psychosis (Mass-STEP). Our theme this year is Scaling Up: Access & Equity for Psychosis, and will explore strategies to expand the reach of high-quality psychosis services across Massachusetts. This effort includes partners from many different backgrounds, including individuals and families, government stakeholders, researchers, clinicians, teachers, faith leaders, emergency responders, and all others who are invested in improving our statewide system of care for psychosis.
The first day of the conference will spotlight our MA psychosis community with an in-person poster and award session at the Bentley University Conference Center. NIMH Senior Advisor Dr. Robert Heinssen will lead a keynote on translational research in psychosis.
The second day will be held virtually to explore different areas of health equity in psychosis, spotlighting ways to bridge service gaps in geography, race, and language.
This event is hosted in partnership with MAPNET, LEAP, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, and New England MHTTC.
Join us on Monday and Tuesday, November 6-7, 2023 at 9 AM ET.
This session will provide participant providers with experiential opportunities to learn about Breath-Body-Mind™, an integrative approach and universally accessible stress reduction practice. These techniques will be introduced using breath work and gentle, adaptable body movements. Parents/caregivers and other family members often bear the stressors of trying to navigate systems, advocating for supports and services that work, balancing the internal struggle between caring "for" and caring "with," and juggling other work, family, and life responsibilities, leaving little time to protect their own peace and wellbeing. Please join Level 4 practitioner Linda Lentini as she shows us useful stress reduction tools we can all use and share with families and caregivers.
Join us on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 9 AM ET.
In this evidence-based presentation, we will discuss the powerful healing properties of nature. We will discuss realistic and accessible ways to engage with nature. We will explore how humans are hard-wired to see beauty in nature and why teaching our children to love nature is more important than ever.
Presenter: Catherine Haines, OT, OTR (she, her) is a community based occupational therapist and consultant for the Cambridge Health Alliance Center for Mindfulness and Compassion.
Join us on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 12 PM ET.
The Embracing Authenticity: A Guide to Authenticity and Cultural Awareness as Work webinar series will provide guidance and support for the use and implementation of the accompanying workbook, which is intended to be used as a guide for deeper levels of processing and to support healthier conversations in the workplace around identity and wellness. This resource can be used as a tool to address the unique experiences of work-related stress compounded with being a person of color and also as a resource for folks seeking to be more accountable for reducing harm and creating a more equitable work environment.
This comprehensive guide is designed to support you in cultivating authenticity, promoting inclusion, and prioritizing wellness in the workplace. Whether you're an organizational leader, a colleague, or an individual who has experienced marginalization, this workbook provides practical insights, exercises, and resources to make meaningful progress.
Presenters:
Ashley Stewart, PhD, MSSW, LSW, Director of the Center for Health Equity, C4 Innovations
Ronitia Hodges, Senior Project Manager, C4 Innovations
Join us for the first session in the series on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 2:30 PM ET.
This event will discuss the New England MHTTC's work assisting organizations with racial equity and efforts to make web-based content reflective of the mission and values of the organization. With intersectionality in mind, Ashley Stewart, Director of the Center for Health Equity at C4 Innovations, will inform attendees about the methods used to ensure inclusivity, cultural awareness, and attunement via a web auditing process.
The first part of the webinar series on December 5, 2023 will cover the inclusion of language addressing, responding to, and advocating around equity-related topics. C4 equity audits also assess for all forms of identity-based oppression, including, but not limited to, sexism, ageism, ableism, heterosexism, and linguistic and religious-based oppression.
The second part of the webinar series on December 12, 2023 will cover assessment of the general tone and essence of a website related to engagement around equity, inclusion, and diversity. In addition to the use of intentional terminology, there is the need to assess how the terms are used, the stories they tell, the messages they imply, the depth or superficiality of the use of narrative or terms, and the broader impact on community engagement.
Join us for the first session in the series on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 2 PM ET.
This 3-part series provides a detailed understanding of trauma and the various types of trauma individuals experience. Sessions will explore the impact of secondary/vicarous trauma on corrections staff by examining the various ways exposure to traumatic events impacts the individual, the work they do, and the individuals they engage with on a daily basis. This series also explores what is needed to establish a trauma-informed organization, the impact of stigma and bias, and finishes with the interplay of two groups of trauma survivors - corrections staff, inmates, and/or parole/probation supervisees - and strategies to mitigate or reduce trauma activation potential among staff and those they supervise for more successful overall outcomes.
Session 1 will discuss the disparate, significant impact of incarceration and reentry on women returning to the community and challenges, barriers, and strategies for improving outcomes for women reentering society.
Presenters: Steven Samra, MPA, C4 Innovations, and Daisy Hernandez, MSW, LCSW, MBA, C4 Innovations.
Join us for the first session in the series on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 1 PM ET.
