Products and Resources Catalog

About this Resource: In this on-demand recording presenters share ways that spirituality/religion (S/R) can promote strengths and struggles in the context of mental health challenges as well as discuss the process for offering spiritually competent care within mental health service organizations. Participants discover ways to collaborate with faith-based organizations in order to provide more holistic and long-term care as well as assess one's own clinical competence at attending to a client's spirituality/religion.

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The January 2024 issue features the third installment of the Counselor's Corner blog series: Integrating Spirituality and Counseling with African American Clients, information on the Opioid Response Network's 2022-2023 regional summits, and a call for applications for the upcoming HEART (Healing Ethno And Racial Trauma) Training for Behavioral Health Providers Serving Hispanic & Latinx Communities intensive training series. As always, you will also find links to all upcoming events and trainings hosted by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC!   Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter, and thank you for reading!

About this Resource: This is the Spanish language version of our previously published fact sheet titled "Faith, Spirituality, and Peer Support." It is meant to accompany a webinar presented by Dr. Monty Burkes. 

About this Resource: Given their shared lived experiences, Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) are crucial in offering mutually beneficial support to peers who are recovering from psychiatric and/or substance use disorders. This infographic accompanies the on-demand recording by Dr. Monty Burks on faith, spirituality, and peer support. It discusses stigma as a barrier to treatment and care, the relevance of faith and spirituality in recovery, and the crucial role of peer support in promoting lifelong recovery.

We are alone if we choose to be, but we are also seamlessly part of everything, since that is the way of nature! This is the True knowledge, to see ourselves as integral part of the eternal and ever-present universe. The goal is to feel good through self-compassion but also work towards peace and harmony of all, limitlessly. We are subjective when we see ourselves as isolated individuals. We become increasingly objective when we are under self-control (in our physical/material world), with non-attachment (in our emotions), and liberated in our thoughts from all that bind and isolate us as “I” or individuals. We gain this true knowledge when we realize that all that is cognitive and all their enablers (laws of nature) are like two sides of a coin, like the waves on the surface and the deep ocean below - coexisting, inseparable, and enabling the other.   This talk was based on the recent book (2023): by Dr. Krishnamoorthy (Subbu) Subramanian Spirituality In Practice: Exploration for peace and harmony within as well as collaboration and cohesiveness with all that surrounds us. Presenters: Dr. Krishnamoorthy (Subbu) Subramanian, born and raised in Southern India, received his Ph. D from MIT, Cambridge, MA. USA in 1977. He has over 45 years of experience working in the global manufacturing sector. His work has focused on research, new business development, innovation, and mentoring. Dr. Matcheri Keshavan is Stanley Cobb Professor of Psychiatry at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC); Harvard Medical School (HMS), a position he assumed in April 2008. He is also the academic head of psychiatry at BIDMC, and a senior psychiatric advisor for the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. This webinar was presented in collaboration with the Massachusetts Mental Health Center GrandRounds series.   View a recording of this 5/17/23 session here.

About this Resource:  Individuals with mental health or substance use concerns often avoid seeking treatment for a variety of reasons and barriers. Faith-based initiatives and peer support services are important partners in increasing outreach, education, and access to behavioral health services for these individuals. In this on-demand recording, Dr. Monty Burks discusses ways peers can engage and connect faith-based organizations and other community resources to reduce stigma and expand behavioral health support services.  Click here to access the presenter slides. 

Spirituality and religion can play a significant role in the promotion of health for patients from faith communities, yet these aspects of our patients' identity are often not integrated into their care. For example, many Muslim Americans believe their mental health issues may be linked to spiritual or metaphysical causes and seek clinicians to incorporate spirituality and religion into their treatment plans. However, current literature suggests that clinicians often feel inadequate at integrating religious and spiritual nuances into patient care. This workshop with Dr. Rania Awaad M.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine, aimed to provide clinicians the knowledge and framework to better address the needs of their Muslim patients. To facilitate this goal, this workshop included research-informed, key concepts in improving clinical report with Muslim patients. The goal was for participants to leave this training with improved competency, comfort, and skill in meaningfully providing whole-person care for their Muslim patients with serious mental illness. This event took place on December 7, 2022.

Working in the field of mental health can be rewarding and challenging at the same time because of the exposure to people’s feelings and emotions. Religious or spiritual beliefs can often bring great comfort and a source of guidance in these circumstances. Both mental health and religious professionals need to know how to utilize people’s spiritual strengths to help them cope with their mental health needs. We also need to be able to recognize when spiritual or religious beliefs are problematic and how to address them in a sensitive manner. Working as collaborators, mental health and religious professionals can provide an effective form of holistic care that can lead to healing and wholeness. This course focuses on integrating religion/spirituality into mental health services and supports for mental health and religious professionals. There are three modules in the series covering related research, clinical applications, and collaborations between mental health and religious professionals. Dr. Harold Koenig, a leader in the field, brings over 40 years of experience as a researcher, clinician, and educator to the creation of this course. We hope you learn strategies for integrating religion/spirituality into your practice in a way that aligns with client preferences and professional ethics to the benefit of those you support.   This course was created and produced by the Central East MHTTC and the Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC.   Download flyer

July 26, 2022 The United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. and the New England MHTTC would like to invite you and your staff to attend the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO webinar series. Native Psychological Brilliance refers to the intelligence, strengths, balance, innate resources, and resilience of Native people. This no-cost telehealth series will be held throughout 2022 on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 11:00 am Pacific/12:00 pm Mountain/1:00 pm Central/2:00 pm Eastern. Each session will be one hour in length that will provide an opportunity for participants to:  Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health,  Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and  Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens.    In addition, the concept of Native psychological brilliance will be highlighted through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series.    Who should attend? Tribal health directors, clinic staff, counselors, social workers, physicians, nurses, Tribal Epidemiology Center staff, and anyone supporting Tribal communities through the health or behavioral health sector are welcome to join. 

June 28, 2022   The United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. and the New England MHTTC would like to invite you and your staff to attend the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO webinar series. Native Psychological Brilliance refers to the intelligence, strengths, balance, innate resources, and resilience of Native people. This no-cost telehealth series will be held throughout 2022 on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 11:00 am Pacific/12:00 pm Mountain/1:00 pm Central/2:00 pm Eastern. Each session will be one hour in length that will provide an opportunity for participants to:  Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health,  Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and  Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens.    In addition, the concept of Native psychological brilliance will be highlighted through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series.    Who should attend? Tribal health directors, clinic staff, counselors, social workers, physicians, nurses, Tribal Epidemiology Center staff, and anyone supporting Tribal communities through the health or behavioral health sector are welcome to join. 

May 31, 2022 The World Health Organization has called stress the “health epidemic of the 21st century.” The purpose of this presentation is to define the different types of stress; understand the impact on the mind, body and spirit and introduce some of the different holistic stress management techniques one can use to begin to reduce stress.

May 24, 2022 The United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. and the New England MHTTC would like to invite you and your staff to attend the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO webinar series. Native Psychological Brilliance refers to the intelligence, strengths, balance, innate resources, and resilience of Native people. This no-cost telehealth series will be held throughout 2022 on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 11:00 am Pacific/12:00 pm Mountain/1:00 pm Central/2:00 pm Eastern. Each session will be one hour in length that will provide an opportunity for participants to:  Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health,  Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and  Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens.    In addition, the concept of Native psychological brilliance will be highlighted through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series.    Who should attend? Tribal health directors, clinic staff, counselors, social workers, physicians, nurses, Tribal Epidemiology Center staff, and anyone supporting Tribal communities through the health or behavioral health sector are welcome to join. 

May 24, 2022 Explores singing & song as a simple, free, and effective pathway to foster mental health for mothers with depression and their infants.   To watch the recording, go to: https://youtu.be/ItbpJrylQgg   Presenter:  Elizabeth Brown V. Brisola, PhD is a psychologist, musician, and researcher in the areas of health promotion and mental illness prevention, enthusiastic in fostering creativity and singing in human day-to-day life. She will be sharing her research and publications on mothers’ lived experiences and their meanings. Having completed most of her education in Brazil, she advocates for the Latinx population and participates in Yale’s Latino Colectivo and IRCC-Brazil projects.

April 26, 2022  

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

March 22, 2022 This webinar focused on the impact of western world view on Native American Behavioral Health standards.

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE Improving mental health care for Native people in rural areas is the focus of this 90-minute webinar presented by the National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC in collaboration with the Northwest MHTTC. The disparities between urban and rural areas in mental health care are well-documented. Native populations in rural areas suffer even more from these disparities, but cultural elements can improve mental health for Native people living in rural areas. Facilitator Raymond Daw, MA, Diné (Navajo), addresses the following learning objectives: Provide an overview of rural mental health disparities in the United States Provide an overview of Native American mental health disparities Describe Native American cultural elements for improved rural mental health This webinar is most relevant to those who: currently work with Native/Tribal communities OR work some with Native/Tribal clients OR want to learn more about Native/Tribal issues ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Presentation and Summary Presentation slides Highlights and Key Concepts summary document - coming soon! Bibliography & Resources Cited in Presentation What is Rural America? - The United States Census Bureau The Future of Rural Behavioral Health, a policy brief by the National Rural Health Association Urban Indian Health Program: Fact Sheets Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), CDC: Suicide Trends Among and Within Urbanization Levels by Sex, Race/Ethnicity, Age Group, and Mechanism of Death — United States, 2001–2015 Surveillance Summaries / October 6, 2017 / 66(18); 1-16.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6618a1 Honoring Children, Mending the Circle. Childhood Trauma in Indian Country. Presentation by Dolores Subia Bigfoot, PhD, Presidential Professor, director of the Indian Country Child Trauma Center within the Center on Child Abuse and Neglect at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences, from the Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health, a project of the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI) Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIP) 61: Behavioral Health Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives, a SAMHSA publication Integrating Spirituality into Treatment: Resources for Practitioners by William R. Miller, PhD, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of New Mexico Decolonizing Mental Health  Decolonizing Mental Health. This series examines the transformative work of therapists and individuals of color, and calls for a redefining how we define psychiatric illness and health. Through 20 profiles, the digital series discusses what a more responsive mental health care system should look like. Historical Trauma Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart: Historical Trauma in Native American Populations (video) Indian Health Service webinar archives; topics include historical trauma Prevention Culture-Based Prevention Resources Good Medicine Bundle, from Operation Prevention. Use the wisdom of Native practices of wellness combined with the insights of modern science to help Native and non-Native students avoid the dangers of substance misuse. Tribal Opioid Response Resources, from the National American Indian & Alaska Native Prevention Technology Transfer Center. Suicide Prevention Native and Strong. Native and Strong is designed to inform and educate tribal communities about suicide prevention. This campaign is funded by the Washington State Department of Health. For 24/7 support, call (800) 273-8255 or text NATIVE to 741741. Transforming Tribal Communities: Indigenous Perspectives on Suicide Prevention, from Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC). Organizations The Native Center for Behavioral Health is a research center at the University of Iowa College of Public Health committed to developing programs to support the behavioral health workforce in Native American and Alaska Native communities across the country. The National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC works with organizations and treatment practitioners involved in the delivery of mental health services to American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, families, and tribal and urban Indian communities to strengthen their capacity to deliver effective evidence-based and experience-based practices. This includes the full continuum of services spanning mental illness, prevention, treatment, and recovery support. The National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC provides education and training opportunities for individuals and groups involved in providing substance abuse treatment and counseling, including health professionals in primary prevention and treatment for substance abuse. The center offers services nationwide for consulting, technical assistance, and continuing education seminars. The National American Indian & Alaska Native Prevention Technology Transfer Center provides training and technical assistance services to the substance abuse prevention field including professionals, para-professionals, organizations and others in the prevention community focused on American Indian and Alaska Native communities. FACILITATOR Raymond Daw, MA, Navajo Nation Mr. Daw is a member of the Navajo Nation and is bilingual in Navajo and English. He is a trainer and web designer for the Takini Institute on the historical trauma intervention model, and he formerly worked as the Administrator of Behavioral Health at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Healthcare Corporation in Bethel, Alaska. During his tenure as Executive Director of Na’nizhoozhi Center, Inc. (NCI), he participated in research with the NIDA Clinical Trials Network through the University of New Mexico. NCI was recognized as a model and innovative program for AI/AN substance abuse treatment.

February 28, 2022   This presentation will focus on the ways that various forms of meditation can be used by healthcare providers for self-care. In addition, we will explore how the use of meditation can assist providers in their clinical work with clients. After a brief review of relevant research, various forms of meditation will be demonstrated and practiced.   Objectives: - Review research findings relevant to meditation, self-care, and clinical effectiveness. - Demonstrate and practice specific meditation techniques used for self-care and clinical effectiveness. - Provide meditation resources for healthcare providers.   To watch the recording, go to: https://youtu.be/btow5UwLW3g   Presenter: Mark Brenner, PhD, LICSW Mark J. Brenner, Ph.D., LICSW is Professor Emeritus at Bridgewater State University where he taught in the School of Social Work. Dr. Brenner has over 20 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. He has studied and practiced Zen Buddhism since 1988 in the Kwan Um tradition. As a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team, Dr. Brenner volunteers at local and national disasters. His research interests include the use of contemplative practices and the integration of Eastern philosophies into Western psychotherapeutic models.

Learning Objectives: Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health,  Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and  Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens.    In addition, the concept of Native psychological brilliance will be highlighted through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series. 

Recording of the Rock Recovery-led event "Integrating Spirituality into the Eating Disorder Recovery Process," originally held on February 10, 2022.   Presentation slides.

Over the past two years, we have experienced heightened levels of stress, and healthcare providers have been at particular risk for burnout. This brief presentation will discuss ways to help ourselves find inner peace during dark times, by using cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, and nondenominational spiritual strategies.   To watch the recording, go to: https://youtu.be/kebeT6poQYQ   Presenter(s): David H. Rosmarin, PhD, ABPP David H. Rosmarin, PhD, is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, and Director of the McLean Hospital Spirituality & Mental Health Program. He is also the Founder of the Center for Anxiety [www.centerforanxiety.org], which provides outpatient services to over 1,000 unique patients each year. Dr. Rosmarin’s clinical work and research have been featured in Scientific American, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times.    

Learning Objectives: Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health,  Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and  Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens.    In addition, the concept of Native psychological brilliance will be highlighted through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series. View recordings of these events and register for future events.

    Resources shared: Sky World Nurse Practitioners are Human Too Dream Feat Native Wellness Institute      

The purpose of the sessions is to support tribal health care providers, and non-tribal health care providers who serve tribal people, in today’s critical environment. Trauma, stress, fear, and anxiety touches health care workers, just as it is felt by the patient or person you are helping. Longer hours and extra shifts, and the deep concern for family and patients, can weigh heavy on us as we continue to do our jobs. Our goal is to continue the supportive environment we enjoyed last month; where we remembered our strengths and learned new ways to renew during the most stressful of times, enriched by a series of Native music videos.   To watch the recording, click here.   Other Resources: National Day of Rememberance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools Sky World - performed by Teio Swathe Home to Me - Grassy Narrows Native Quarantine Dance Native Wellness Institute