Products and Resources Catalog

This resource provides a tiered description of the key policies around the financing and provision of school-based mental health services that state leaders are proposing in the Southeast.

Patients with serious mental illness (SMI) experience inequities in cancer care that contribute to increased cancer mortality. Co-morbid mental illness is also associated with increased healthcare utilization and costs compared to other patients with cancer. Pro-active psychiatry consultation and person-centered, team-based care are promising approaches that may increase access to cancer care. We will discuss how we adapted the collaborative care model to address the needs of patients with SMI and cancer and share best practices and case examples.   Presented by Dr. Kelly Irwin Dr. Irwin is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a faculty psychiatrist at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center and MGH Schizophrenia Program. Dr. Irwin is the Director of the Collaborative Care and Community Engagement Program, a research and clinical program focused on improving cancer outcomes for people with severe mental illness. She also co-founded Engage -- a community network that engaged diverse voices to promote equity in cancer care and research for people with mental illness and regularly collaborates with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Dr. Irwin has an MD from Harvard Medical School and an MPH from Harvard School of Public Health. She completed her residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean in 2012 and is currently leading a randomized controlled trial funded by the National Cancer Institute that is investigating the impact of proactive psychiatry consultation and case management on cancer care for people with serious mental illness.    

Introduction to Farm Stress: Mental Health Needs Among Diverse Farm Populations   November 25, 2019 Dr. Shawnda Schroeder and Thomasine Heitkamp, Director of the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center presented alongside Matt Perdue with North Dakota Farmers Union. In this first of multiple sessions addressing agricultural mental health, presenters described the definition of farm stress, contributing factors, the impact of farm stress on the family, and how farming demographics and associated stress may vary by U.S. region. This session introduced resources that currently exist for farmers addressing stress and suicide risk, as well as presented ongoing gaps and barriers to utilizing mental health services among agricultural communities. Slide deck Recording     Trainers Dr. Shawnda Schroeder Professor Thomasine Heitkamp

In this Brief Behavioral Skills module Drs. Kari Stephens and Patrick Raue provide an overview of Cognitive Therapy for Anxiety (CBT-A). Anxiety is the most treatable and common mental health condition we know of today. Treatments are highly effective and well-studied over many decades. These treatments are also shown to work with complex patients in primary care. However, treating anxiety can require patients to expose themselves to situations that are difficult. This module will walk clinicians through how to approach treating anxiety in a primary care setting. The learning objectives for this module are to:   Understand the CBT model of anxiety symptoms Describe how to give the ‘treatment pitch’ to patients, and discuss the difference between treatment with exposure vs. anxiety management strategies Understand how to develop and work on an exposure hierarchy with patients Describe anxiety management strategies that use physical and cognitive approaches   Presenters: Kari Stephens, PhD Clinical Psychologist with the University of Washington School of Medicine, a UW Associate Professor of Family Medicine; an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education.   Patrick Raue, PhD Clinical Psychologist at UWMC-Roosevelt, Associate Director for the University of Washington Evidence-Based Psychosocial Interventions; Director of the National Network of Problem Solving Treatment Clinicians; Trainers, & Researchers and a UW Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Population Health.   Find related Resources here.  

In this Brief Behavioral Skills module Drs. Kari Stephens and Patrick Raue provide an overview of Behavioral Activation, an evidence-based treatment for depressive symptoms. Behavioral Activation is a structured and brief approach to treatment that targets patterns of avoidance, withdrawal, and inactivity that are common among those with depressive symptoms. The learning objectives for this module are to:    Understand the Behavioral Activation model of depressive symptoms Describe how to develop a case formulation for a patient experiencing elevated depressive symptoms Understand the role of avoidance in maintaining depressive symptoms Describe how to help patients select activities and make a specific plan Understand how to evaluate the outcome of patients’ efforts and problem-solve barriers to action planning   Presenters: Kari Stephens, PhD Clinical Psychologist with the University of Washington School of Medicine, a UW Associate Professor of Family Medicine; an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education. Patrick Raue, PhD Clinical Psychologist at UWMC-Roosevelt, Associate Director for the University of Washington Evidence-Based Psychosocial Interventions; Director of the National Network of Problem Solving Treatment Clinicians; Trainers, & Researchers and a UW Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Population Health. See related resources here.  

In this Brief Behavioral Skills module Drs. Kari Stephens and Patrick Raue provide an overview of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Distress Tolerance Skills, an evidence-based approach that teaches patients skills to help them tolerate distressing thoughts and emotions. Distress Tolerance (DT) skills are appropriate for patients who are experiencing crisis, especially those who are experiencing a serious problem that cannot be solved in the moment. The learning objectives for this module are to help clinicians:   Determine when to use DBT’s Distress Tolerance (DT) skills with your patients List the DT skills Integrated use of DT skills in the practice setting   Presenters: Kari Stephens, PhD Clinical Psychologist with the University of Washington School of Medicine, a UW Associate Professor of Family Medicine; an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education.   Patrick Raue, PhD Clinical Psychologist at UWMC-Roosevelt, Associate Director for the University of Washington Evidence-Based Psychosocial Interventions; Director of the National Network of Problem Solving Treatment Clinicians; Trainers, & Researchers and a UW Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Population Health.   Find related Resources here.  

This environmental scan is a repository of evidence-based mental health programs and practices found to be effective with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) school-aged children and youth who experience adverse childhood experiences, including violence and trauma, that contribute to mental health problems. It was created in an effort to provide a repository that could be used by communities who serve Native school-age children, as well as to avoid the duplication of efforts.

Michael Compton, MD, and Amy Watson, PhD, present jointly on potential solutions to the problem of criminalization of serious mental illnesses. They provide an overview of several models including Crisis Intervention Team, Mobile Crisis Teams, Specialized EMS, and the Police-Mental Health Linkage System.

This edition of the newsletter features a variety of products, training, and distance learning opportunities for the mental health and school mental health workforce.  Be sure to check out the Youth and Young Adult Mental Health Feature designed to support those working with youth and young adults of transition age with, or at risk for, serious mental illness.

Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Illness November 21, 2019 This webinar provided an overview of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and discussed some of the most prevalent IDDs, their associated behavioral challenges, and mental health concerns. It also provided information on how to distinguish between behaviors associated with IDD and co-occurring mental illness, helpful interventions, and how to increase provider comfort in working with people with IDD. Slide deck Recording

Michael Hoge, PhD, reviews key strategies from improving recruitment and retention in mental health organizations, including examples of innovation and specific approaches for increasing the diversity of an organization’s workforce.

Michael Compton, MD, and Amy Watson, PhD, present jointly on the problem of criminalization of serious mental illnesses. They provide an overview of the criminal justice process, criminal justice involvement among those with serious mental illness, and de-institutionalization.

The Northwest MHTTC and Pacific Southwest MHTTC are excited to bring you our three-part Interconnected Systems Framework Webinar Series. About the Webinar: The interconnected systems framework (ISF) is a strategy to align all social-emotional-behavioral interventions through one system at the state or regional, district, and school level. ISF builds on the success of social service platforms and provides specific steps for integration and alignment to create healthier schools. This webinar will kick-off the ISF learning series with a look at how we can effectively implement and lead ISF installation. Presented by Susan Barrett, MA, and facilitated by the school mental health leads of the Northwest MHTTC (Kelcey Schmitz) and the Pacific Southwest MHTTC (Leora Wolf-Prusan).   >> Presentation PDF >> ISF 101 Fact Sheet   Learning Objectives:  Understand ISF and its positive impact on schools Discuss strategies to align PBIS/MTSS and student mental health Identify appropriate community-level partners Learn initial steps for implementing the ISF approach   Presenter Bio Susan Barrett, MA, is the Director of the Mid-Atlantic PBIS Network at Sheppard Pratt Health System in Baltimore Maryland. She has a Masters in Counseling Psychology and certification in Special Education, having served as a teacher, administrator and coordinator with Sheppard Pratt Health System since 1993. Mrs. Barrett serves as an Implementer Partner with the United States Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)'s National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).     Want more information and school mental health resources? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's School Mental Health page and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

Monthly electronic newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.  Features news stories, upcoming events, and new products the Great Lakes programs. Also features updates from SAMHSA and the ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC Network Coordinating Offices.

On November 14th, Larry Davidson, NE-MHTTC director, led a webinar that discussed the principles of recovery-oriented systems of care. He also talked about a resource called "Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) Resource Guide" which can be downloaded through the download button. Resources: ROSC Guide

Find our November 2019 newsletter here. In this issue we share a fact sheet on Supporting Native Youth in School Settings, highlight a recent state collaborative convening and training on Interconnected Systems Framework in Idaho, and let you know about upcoming events. Take a look! Sign up for our School Mental Health Newsletter! Want more information and school mental health resources? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's School Mental Health page and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

Michael Hoge, PhD, provides an overview of recruitment and retention in mental health.  He discusses core concepts, findings from national surveys, information on the causes of vacancies and turnover, and examples of innovative approaches to addressing recruitment and retention.

On November 7th, Dr. Kimberly Noble, Associate Professor of Neuroscience and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, led a discussion that focused on various interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of poverty, including school-based interventions, parenting interventions, and, notably, direct anti-poverty interventions. To download the slides, click here. 

Building Capacity of Rural School Personnel to Address Mental Health Needs of Students through Communities of Practice (CoP) November 7, 2019 Sarah Nielsen, Susan Bazyk, Tanja Brown, and Thomasine Heitkamp described a Communities of Practice (CoP) Model pilot project targeting implementation of a multi-tiered approach to address school mental health in six rural schools across three states.  Presenters described:  Unique features of rural schools. CoP practice approach utilized. Strengths and weaknesses of the CoP process.  Strengths and barriers to implementing a multi-tiered approach in rural settings.   Slide deck  

Best Practices in School Mental Health November 7, 2019 Stefanie Winfield and Sarah Younggren presented on the use of Mental Health Colorado’s School Mental Health Toolkit as a framework. This discussion included “Top 10 Best Practices in School Mental Health,” and provided guidelines and suggestions to implement best practices and advocacy/ communication strategies for promoting and effecting positive change in school mental health. Slide deck

This flyer provides an overview of Mid-America MHTTC services in the field of school mental health.

Youth peer support is an increasingly popular intervention for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions. However, many agencies face difficulty when it comes to hiring this new role. This webinar addresses appropriate qualifications for youth peer support specialists, drafting a job description, addressing barriers related to confidentiality, and out-of-the-box recruitment methods. This webinar will also briefly touch on retention once you start growing your youth peer workforce. Trainers: Caitlin Baird Caitlin Baird is a Project Manager and Trainer with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. Caitlin has experience working directly with transition aged youth and young adults as a peer support specialist and as a supervisor for peer support specialists in wraparound and other mental health settings.        Maria Hermsen-Kritz Maria Hermsen is a Research Assistant with Pathways RTC at Portland State University. She has experience providing peer support for transition age youth, supervising youth peer support specialists,and managing a youth drop-in center program.  

This month: we share information on HealthEKnowledge (our online learning portal), and share our hosted webinars and events. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.

On October 30th, we held a consultation line with Dr. Matcheri Keshavan and Dr. Carl Salman, where they addressed specific geriatric-related psychopharmacology questions.