Products and Resources Catalog

Positionality refers to the social positions we hold in our society that influence how we interact with the world. As mental health providers, researchers, and advocates, our social positions influence our approach to our work, and reflection on positionality can allow us to identify our limitations and advance equity. The Positionality Project at the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) aims to provide resources for the mental health workforce in Region 6 to understand and integrate positionality into their work. This brochure includes foundational information for mental health providers, researchers, and advocates to understand positionality. It provides a metaphor to understand positionality, explores how positionality can be used in mental health, provides a hypothetical example of applying positionality, and shares guiding questions for developing a positionality statement, which is one method for reflecting on positionality. A glossary of terms is provided at the end of the brochure. We hope that the brochure provides an introduction to this critical topic and inspires further learning.

Asian American and Pacific Islander populations (AAPI) are an integral part of the American diaspora and represent a wide range of diversity. There are approximately 50 distinct ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages, with connections to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries. Learn key facts about the mental health experiences within Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Consider ways you can promote recovery and resilience through culturally relevant practices that meet the needs of diverse populations. This product is part of the Mental Health Matters Lead with Equity series. Check out other products in this series:   Equitable School Practices to Support Youth Mental Health   Supporting LGBTQ Students in Schools   Supporting Diverse Educators

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The April-May 2023 issue honors National Mental Health Awareness Month, National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week, National Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month, and National Prevention Week by sharing events and resources on these topics. This issue also features an upcoming in-person conference and an exciting, new intensive technical assistance training series sponsored by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.    As always, you will find links to all the upcoming events and trainings for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC in The Great Lakes Current.     

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE In June, the Northwest MHTTC celebrates and offers resources for Pride Month, Juneteenth, PTSD Awareness Month and Men's Health Month. This newsletter also includes information on two upcoming webinar series: Suicide Awareness for LGBTQ Youth & Families, and Supporting the Mental Health of Refugee & Asylee Communities. Other topics include 988 and Early Psychosis resources, the Surgeon General's Health Worker Burnout Advisory, and a new SAMHSA Tobacco-free Toolkit for behavioral health agencies.

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE This month, we celebrate Mental Health Month, Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month and several other May observances. We also highlight upcoming events, recently released webinar recordings and a new maternal mental health hotline in this newsletter.

About this Resource:  The Southeast MHTTC Newsletter highlights upcoming events and recently released products as well as shares information on available resources from SAMHSA and the MHTTC network.  The May 2022 issue recognizes National Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, highlights our upcoming "Perspectives in Mental Health Crisis" events and recent products, and provides resources available through the MHTTC Network and SAMHSA to connect individuals to needed treatment and support. 

The Great Lakes A/MH/PTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.     Alcohol is STILL a Drug: An Exploratory Webinar Series (May 3, 2022)     Register to join us on the first Tuesday of each month from 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Central (11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Eastern). Each session will feature a new expert presenter.     DESCRIPTION  Alcohol is STILL a drug.  The opioid crisis, increase in stimulant misuse, and marijuana legalization dominate the news— yet alcohol remains the number one substance causing health, social, legal and financial problems throughout the US.    While this series will focus on the hopefulness of recovery from alcohol use disorder, we’ll also take a deep dive into what we know about the full impact of alcohol overuse and the ways it affects every person in the US.   April 5th Topic: Alcohol Use in Hmong Communities Yengyee Lor will provide information about alcohol use in Hmong communities, and how the intersection of cultural practices and alcohol consumption is experienced within these communities. She will share ways to engage in cultural celebrations and activities while maintaining safe alcohol usage.      TRAINER Yengyee Lor, President–Faithful Consulting Yengyee is a trainer, leadership coach, and organizational consultant helping organizations strategically deliver meaningful organizational impact that is holistic, sustainable, and profitable. She is s a certified PCC coach, certified non-profit consultant, workforce planning strategist, and keynote speaker. Yengyee has degrees in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work. 

March 24, 2022 While much attention has been paid to individual implicit bias, research is beginning to show ways in which organizations can also possess hidden forms of bias at the policy, procedural, and administrative levels. These implicit organizational biases may strongly impact client-provider interactions, care decisions, and engagement, as well as health outcomes. Join us as we learn more about the impact of implicit organizational bias and collectively explore ways to mitigate its effects on training and education, community building, recruitment and hiring, and beyond.   To watch the recording, please go to: https://youtu.be/ooQKCXKNBQQ   Presenter: Miraj Desai, PhD

The Pacific Southwest MHTTC curated a list of resources to support mental health needs in times of crisis. These resources have been curated with social distance mandates in mind and provide many virtual or electronic options for support. The list includes relevant webinars, stress management apps, publications, and online resources.

The dual public health emergencies of structural racism and the coronavirus pandemic continue to challenge communities of color across New England. The 2022 Innovations Conference will highlight providers implementing groundbreaking mental health and substance use programming amidst these crises to support resilience and recovery. Join thought leaders from our region to celebrate innovative approaches to supporting mental health and advancing substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) across New England. Presenters will share successes, lessons learned, and strategies for supporting whole-person care and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.   Day 4 - February 17, 2022: Pathways of Recovery - Innovations in Supporting Recovery, Resilience, Purpose, and Opportunities   To watch the recording, please go to: https://youtu.be/9bwLxqeBHuY.  

The dual public health emergencies of structural racism and the coronavirus pandemic continue to challenge communities of color across New England. The 2022 Innovations Conference will highlight providers implementing groundbreaking mental health and substance use programming amidst these crises to support resilience and recovery. Join thought leaders from our region to celebrate innovative approaches to supporting mental health and advancing substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) across New England. Presenters will share successes, lessons learned, and strategies for supporting whole-person care and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.   Day 3 - February 16, 2022: Pathways of Recovery - Innovations in Engagement, Connection, and Programming   To watch the recording, please go to: https://youtu.be/IH1oGBeDRjo.   

The dual public health emergencies of structural racism and the coronavirus pandemic continue to challenge communities of color across New England. The 2022 Innovations Conference will highlight providers implementing groundbreaking mental health and substance use programming amidst these crises to support resilience and recovery. Join thought leaders from our region to celebrate innovative approaches to supporting mental health and advancing substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) across New England. Presenters will share successes, lessons learned, and strategies for supporting whole-person care and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.   Day 2 - February 15, 2022: Innovative Prevention Approaches   To watch the recording, please go to: https://youtu.be/SsPoBzgFHE0.  

The dual public health emergencies of structural racism and the coronavirus pandemic continue to challenge communities of color across New England. The 2022 Innovations Conference will highlight providers implementing groundbreaking mental health and substance use programming amidst these crises to support resilience and recovery. Join thought leaders from our region to celebrate innovative approaches to supporting mental health and advancing substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) across New England. Presenters will share successes, lessons learned, and strategies for supporting whole-person care and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.   Day 1 - February 14, 2022: Laying the Groundwork- Foundations of Whole Person Care   To watch the recording, go to: https://youtu.be/ALVqdlNqivc    

Join our value-added Diversity Talk! At this session, we will unpack information shared during our January 26 session on the impact of implicit bias on BIPOC Populations. Session collaborator, Jessica Isom, MD, MPH, will lead our talk and introduce a six-step framework for reducing disparities and fostering health equity. In preparation for this session, please review the video archive from our January 26 session and review the curated discussion resource, A Roadmap to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care.   watch our recording here: https://youtu.be/V0Jpn84VgbE   Our Diversity Talks offer a window of availability with thought leaders and provide the space and opportunity for small group conversations and discussions around curated resources that promote racial equity and culturally humble practices in behavioral health and recovery-oriented care.

This brief synthesizes insights, reflections, and recommendations from a series of listening sessions held with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) behavioral health providers in California from March to May 2021. Providers shared how the current environment of anti-AAPI violence impacts them personally, affects their relationships with family and friends, and diminishes their sense of belonging in the broader community. In the workplace, these impacts intensify the stress of working in a healing profession and speak to the pressing need to support and stand in solidarity with AAPI providers.

Bias and racism in health care impede scientific advancement, reduces the pipeline of diverse clinicians, and contributes to racial and ethnic health disparities. Learn how to advocate for proactive approaches that eliminate barriers impacting people of color, promote racial equity, and advance cultural humility.   To watch the recording, please go to: https://youtu.be/RxzrB2K-A3k. Other resources coming soon!   Presenter: Dr. Jessica Isom, MD, MPH

While the statistics help to validate that the rates of mental health disorders are similar across racial groups, they also conceal a deeper inequity. What you can’t tell from the numbers is how the severity, persistence, contributing factors, and implications for the overall well-being of mental health conditions vary widely across demographic groups. Join us for a review of the stats and a discussion around ways to support the behavioral health needs of BIPOC individuals and communities.   To watch the recording, go to: https://youtu.be/B51mS5hpxRs   Presenter(s): Mary Roary, PhD Taylor Bryan Turner Jessica Isom, MD, MPH Maria E. Restrepo-Toro Ingrid Padgett Timothy Jean

This is the third session belonging to a three-part virtual roundtable to address the impact of historical and present day trauma and social injustice on their mental health, provides self-care strategies, and identifies long term community engagement strategies to address the mental health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. The objectives of this webinar are to identify systems issues and policies impacting the access to quality care, improving the current workforce by increasing the number of AANHPI providers (including paraprofessional community members), and providing ongoing training and support. This webinar also clarifies what constitutes culturally competent and linguistically appropriate care (including innovative approaches and integrated models that recognize the relationship between physical and mental health), identifies allies and partners who can further systems changes, and identifies one action step each participant can do to effect these changes.

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE For the final installment, Aleks Martin reviews each of the topics from her previous webinars, from the midst of the pandemic and to where we are now. Participants from previous webinars will have an opportunity to check-in on what worked or didn't work for them, and how these skill sets help them in ensuring "provider well-being" moves forward into the future. The Northwest MHTTC is excited to collaborate with Aleks Martin, MSW, LSWAIC, SUDP, to deliver a webinar and podcast series as part of our support for provider well-being. Find out more about the series here. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our facilitators always make reference to great resources during sessions.  Find their lists below.  Presentation Slides Prior Session Recordings: Session 1: Self-Care Support for Providers Session 2: Mindfulness Practice for Providers Session 3: Mental Wellness vs. Mental Illness Session 4: Impostor Syndrome: Am I Good Enough? Session 5: Stigma, Shame, and Self Session 6: Diversity & Difference Session 7: Fostering Resilience, Avoiding Burnout FACILITATOR Aleks Martin, MSW, LSWAIC, SUDP Aleks Martin (S/he pronouns, but they is ok) has been in the health and social service field for over 20 years. Aleks was drawn to the LGBTQI2+ community in their mid-twenties working for a national HIV-prevention study with youth called, Young Asian Men’s Study (YAMS). This exposed them to the great work of HIV workers from other organizations and how community-based programs are critical in reaching out to the most vulnerable populations. During this time, they worked as a Disease Intervention Specialist with Public Health - Seattle & King County for 7 years, including working on the pilot study for the Rapid HIV Test Kit (then a 20-minute test). A big portion of their professional career was spent at Seattle Counseling Service, a behavioral health agency for the LGBTQ community. From 2003 to 2019, Aleks started as Database Manager, Health Educator, Program Coordinator to Chemical Dependency Counselor and Addictions Program Supervisor. This was the safe space where their yearning for higher education was cultivated so they could serve their community further. As a graduate of the University of Washington’s School of Social Work - Masters Program, Aleks developed their skills as a mental health clinician and social justice advocate. Aleks’ perspectives where shifted and allowed them to have a wider lens for diversity, inclusion and equity. Aleks was inspired to start a private practice to address the special needs of the LGBTQI2+ and BBIPOC (Black, Brown, Indigenous and People of Color), particularly Queer and Trans Asian and Pacific Islander people dealing with unique and special issues that intersect with race/culture and gender/sexuality like coming out, spiritual conflicts, cultural dissonance, gender transition, social navigation at work and other environments, interpersonal relationships from intimacy to friendships, understanding relationships with non-LGBTQI2+ partner(s), and so on. Contact Aleks Martin 206-886-2627 [email protected] www.aleksmartinclinicalservices.com Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE In celebration of May as Mental Health Awareness Month and National Asian Pacific Islander History & Heritage Month, Aleks Martin surprised their audience via Northwest MHTTC with guests Boya Hua and Dr. Hieu Pham. This month’s learning goals are to identify the social impact of stigma and shame on the “self”, and to identify tools to overcome the suffering and silence. Though the panel discussion originally aired on May 19, 2021, the following is an excerpt from the live audio recording of the webinar. Find out more about the series here. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES View the webinar recording and access accompanying resources FACILITATOR & PANELISTS Aleks Martin (S/he pronouns, but they is ok) has been in the health and social service field for over 20 years. Aleks was drawn to the LGBTQI2+ community in their mid-twenties working for a national HIV-prevention study with youth called, Young Asian Men’s Study (YAMS). This exposed them to the great work of HIV workers from other organizations and how community-based programs are critical in reaching out to the most vulnerable populations. During this time, they worked as a Disease Intervention Specialist with Public Health - Seattle & King County for 7 years, including working on the pilot study for the Rapid HIV Test Kit (then a 20-minute test). A big portion of their professional career was spent at Seattle Counseling Service, a behavioral health agency for the LGBTQ community. From 2003 to 2019, Aleks started as Database Manager, Health Educator, Program Coordinator to Chemical Dependency Counselor and Addictions Program Supervisor. This was the safe space where their yearning for higher education was cultivated so they could serve their community further. As a graduate of the University of Washington’s School of Social Work - Masters Program, Aleks developed their skills as a mental health clinician and social justice advocate. Aleks’ perspectives where shifted and allowed them to have a wider lens for diversity, inclusion and equity. Aleks was inspired to start a private practice to address the special needs of the LGBTQI2+ and BBIPOC (Black, Brown, Indigenous and People of Color), particularly Queer and Trans Asian and Pacific Islander people dealing with unique and special issues that intersect with race/culture and gender/sexuality like coming out, spiritual conflicts, cultural dissonance, gender transition, social navigation at work and other environments, interpersonal relationships from intimacy to friendships, understanding relationships with non-LGBTQI2+ partner(s), and so on. Boya Hua, MSW, LMHC, LSWAIC (she/her), is a licensed mental health therapist who speaks Mandarin and English. She moved to Seattle from Shanghai, China in 2015, in order to pursue her graduate study at University of Washington, School of Social Work. Back in China, she had been actively involved in community engagement and advocacy work in Chinese LGBTQ community for over six years. She founded a sexual diversity education workshop called LGBT Free Talk and co-organized ShanghaiPRIDE. She is the author of a book called Voices of LGBT in Shanghai based on interviews with 20 queer local folks in Shanghai. Currently, she provides culturally-sensitive mental health services at Seattle Counseling Service, an LGBTQ-specialized community mental health agency. She is also enthusiastic about literature, music, body movement and being close to nature. Hieu Pham, MD, MSPH, AAHIVS (he/him), is a family physician. He was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and calls New York City his home. He was raised by a single mother. His own immigrant experience inspired him to care for immigrant and refugee communities. In New York City, he was involved with GAPIMNY, an organization that works to continue to support and empower queer and trans Asians and Pacific Islanders. It was this formative experience that continues to motivate him to work with gender diverse communities. He worked in public health before starting medical school in Chicago, and then moved to Seattle for residency in Family Medicine at Swedish Cherry Hill. Currently he works at International Community Health Services in Seattle's International District, a safety net clinic, where he primarily serves patients who are immigrants and refugees. He speaks Vietnamese, English, and Mandarin. Hieu provides full-spectrum family medicine, including obstetrical services, HIV care, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and gender affirming care. He also works at Nova Wellness Center, a school-based clinic, caring for gender diverse teens.  When not working, you can find Hieu in Seattle's International District supporting the neighborhood's restaurants or coffee shops, eating pizza, and spending time with his boyfriend.

This is part 1 of a three-part virtual roundtable that addresses the impact of historical and present day trauma and social injustice on their mental health, provides self-care strategies, and identifies long term community engagement strategies to address the mental health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. In part 1, learn what it means to be part of the AA, NH & PI communities; how each community self-identifies, unique strengths and challenges, and different mental health and social inequities associated with the COVID pandemic. View the slides here!

The second roundtable focuses on the importance of self-care and family care. The discussion asks three questions: Why are self-care and healing so important yet so difficult? What are culturally responsive strategies to support well-being? What are key approaches for self-care during this period of the COVID pandemic and increasing anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents? View the slides here! Additional Resources: 12th Annual Asian American Mental Health Forum: Connecting During COVID: Mental Health Innovations and Positive Adaptations Click here for more information Achieving Whole Health – NAAPIMHA Asian Mental Health Collective Asian Women for Health – Anti-Racism Resources Together Empowering Asian Minds (TEAM) Teen Resource Center – Mental Wellness PSA Widening the Lens: Exploring the Role of Social Justice and Racial Equity in Suicide Prevention

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. For many Asian Americans, Asian cultures have shaped their explanatory models of health including mental health. In this event, Dr. Fan provided a brief analysis on how Asian religious and philosophical traditions affect the understanding, clinical manifestation and treatment-seeking behaviors of people with psychotic disorders and other mental illnesses. In addition, the mental health toll of anti-Asian racism and being a “model minority” will be presented. During the second part of the event, Dr. Fan lead a clinically oriented discussion to address the barriers to improve mental health care for Asian Americans.   Xiaoduo Fan, MD, MPH, MS Dr. Fan is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He is Director of the Psychotic Disorders Clinical and Research Program and Director of the Chinese Mental Health Program at UMass. Dr. Fan received his medical degree from Peking University and MPH degree from Harvard University. In addition, Dr. Fan obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Rosalind Franklin University. Dr. Fan is a member of the advisory panel for the Patient-Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI), and a member of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Council on International Psychiatry and Global Health. He also serves as a reviewer for various federal grant programs. We will be providing certificates of completion for a total of 1.5 hours to those who watch the recording. You will be asked to register in order to watch the recording. To watch the recording, click here. To request your certificate of participation, click here.     

In this session, we discussed key cultural issues for understanding the causes and manifestations of psychiatric disorders in persons of Indian origin from India/South Asia in the United States. We will also discuss approaches to the management of such clinical presentations.