Products and Resources Catalog

This module describes the definition, purpose and importance of mental health screening in schools. Six action steps to conduct screening are provided, as well as strategies to address common barriers. PLEASE NOTE: As of April 2021, the MHTTC Network and National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH) changed the title of the National School Mental Health Curriculum: Guidance and Best Practices for States, Districts, and Schools to the new title National School Mental Health Best Practices: Implementation Guidance Modules for States, Districts, and Schools.

Click "download" above to access: Slide Deck, Q/A, & Transcript   The Great Lakes MHTTC and PTTC present this webinar for prevention practitioners and mental health professionals in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI For many of us, the accumulated stress, grief, fatigue, and despair of the Covid-19 crisis pose a significant challenge to our coping resources. While this perfect storm of stressors may be unprecedented, there is much we know about how to cope with and manage stress, even at these levels.  In this talk, Dr. Kanter will describe new research on predictors of coping with the crisis and effective interventions for reducing depression and loneliness during the crisis. Dr. Kanter integrates these new findings with established science and offers strategies for managing the psychological consequences of the crisis in our everyday lives. Learning Objectives Review results of national research on effective coping tips during the pandemic (helpful in non-pandemic times as well) Understand and practice evidence-based mindfulness strategies for effective coping Understand and practice evidence-based strategies for improving well being and closeness with others   Presenter: Dr. Jonathan Kanter, University of Washington's Center for the Science of Social Connection   Dr. Jonathan Kanter is Director of the University of Washington’s Center for the Science of Social Connection. Over the course of his career, Dr. Kanter has investigated psychosocial interventions for depression, including how to disseminate culturally appropriate, easy-to-train, evidence-based approaches, with emphasis on evidence-based treatments such as behavioral activation for groups who lack resources and access to care. Dr. Kanter has published over 100 scientific papers and 9 books on these topics and his work has been funded by NIH, SAMHSA, state governmental organizations, foundations, and private donors. He is regularly invited to give talks and workshops nationally and internationally. When the COVID-19 crisis hit Seattle, the Center pivoted its resources to understand and mitigate the relational and mental health consequences of the crisis, to assist with public health efforts, and to inform the public dialogue with scientifically informed advice. Dr. Kanter has been asked to comment on the relational and mental health consequences of the crisis by, and the Center’s response to the crisis has been featured on, NPR, the BBC, the New York Times, the Huffington Post, National Geographic, and other local and national news outlets.

COVID-19 Mental Health (MH) Telehealth Response and Sustainability Assessment is a research study on the use of virtual behavioral health services during the pandemic. Its purpose is to gain a better understanding of: How agencies are using telehealth The pros and cons of telehealth services Projected use of telehealth services post-pandemic    Thank you to those who participated in our survey. Your input will be invaluable in our study of telehealth services in the era of COVID-19 and beyond.

This brief report examines the reported prevalence of sadness and hopelessness, suicidal ideation, bullying, and fighting among high school age youth in the Southeast region’s eight states. These data are derived from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System.  

  Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center: Year Two Program Snapshot In year two, the Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) team pulled together experts from around the nation to develop resources, provide training, create and share continuing education opportunities, and offer technical assistance to individuals serving persons with mental illness throughout the six state region. To ensure reach, the team maintained a website, managed social media campaigns, and grew an electronic mailing list. This snapshot provides program goals, reach, and the measures impact of the MHTTC program in year two (August 15, 2019 - August 14, 2020).   Key Points: The Mountain Plains MHTTC hosted 93 events in the last year. Roughly 96% of the nearly 10,500 people who completed a training evaluation in the last year agreed/strongly agreed they would recommend the training to a colleague. The team developed 17 new written products. The Mountain Plains MHTTC developed SIX new resource pages. The website had 115,537 total pageviews.   Authors Shawnda Schroeder David Terry Becky Helfand    

Executive Summary: Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance Needs among Probation and Parole Officers This is an executive summary of the larger report: Mental Health Training and Technical Assistance Needs: Findings, Implications, and Summary of a Survey of Probation and Parole Officers in Region 8.   The Mountain Plains Mental Health and Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) team, in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and state probation and parole offices, conducted an electronic survey in November and December 2019. The survey was distributed electronically to probation and parole officers in all six states located in the United States Department of Health & Human Services Region 8 in order to identify specific mental health training needs. Results will assist the Mountain Plains MHTTC staff to better serve correctional officers and stakeholders throughout the region. Additionally, the survey results will inform the development of new products, training materials, and technical assistance requests. This work includes expanding collaborations with entities serving probation and parole staff to address the training needs described. Authors Shawnda Schroeder Thomasine Heitkamp Desirae Martinefski

Findings, Implications, and Summary of a Survey of Probation and Parole Officers in Region 8 The Mountain Plains Mental Health and Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) team, in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and state probation and parole offices, conducted an electronic survey in November and December 2019. The survey was distributed electronically to probation and parole officers in all six states located in the United States Department of Health & Human Services Region 8 in order to identify specific mental health training needs. Results will assist the Mountain Plains MHTTC staff to better serve correctional officers and stakeholders throughout the region. Additionally, the survey results will inform the development of new products, training materials, and technical assistance requests. This work includes expanding collaborations with entities serving probation and parole staff to address the training needs described.   Full Report   The full report includes an overall assessment, a presentation of training needs among rural and urban probation and parole officers, varied training needs between probation and parole, and state specific reports.   One-Page State Summaries Colorado Probation and Parole: Mental Health Training Needs Montana Probation and Parole: Mental Health Training Needs North Dakota Probation and Parole: Mental Health Training Needs South Dakota Probation and Parole: Mental Health Training Needs Utah Probation and Parole: Mental Health Training Needs Wyoming Probation and Parole: Mental Health Training Needs Authors Shawnda Schroeder Thomasine Heitkamp Desirae Martinefski Additional Resources Addressing Mental Health for Justice-Involved Individuals A host of resources currently exist to serve the mental health training and technical assistance needs of both probation and parole staff, as well as other professionals who work with justice-involved individuals.   Resources Funded or Provided under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration funds and supports over a dozen programs and initiatives that can assist those who work with justice-involved individuals who also have a mental health and/or substance use disorder. These resources, toolkits, trainings, and webpages promote early intervention and treatment as healthier alternatives to detainment, help identify treatment resources, locate housing assistance, and address integrated care, among other topics.   Additional Resources Not Funded by SAMHSA Several organizations, associations, and governmental agencies have begun to address the mental health and substance use disorder needs among individuals involved in the criminal justice system. These resources include technical assistance manuals, diversion interventions, best practices, data reports, and a list of resources that provide a wealth of information about state, federal, and organizational resources for probation and parole officials.

This 2-page document presents a summary of the Northwest MHTTC's accomplishments during our first year of operations, 2018-2019.

State-specific resources to assist providers in navigating health coverage requirements that may impact the prescription of hepatitis c treatment.

Infographics describing health and prevention services for students and policies related to mental health screenings.

A fact sheet describing the need for mental health services among school age children, with data from the Youth Behavior Risk Surveillance System (Year 2018 Data).

We invite you to join us for this webinar, which provides foundational knowledge on what are the social determinants of health, why they should be assessed, and how mental health service providers can leverage them for better outcomes. Hear how providers throughout the Pacific Southwest region are addressing the social determinants of health through broad initiatives, service assessments, and strategic partnerships. Journey with us as you gain an understanding of how to identify appropriate partners and collaborate with them on the shared interest of achieving mental health equity. There are many tools and resources highlighted to support your local efforts, as well as ample opportunity to ask questions. Participants: Recognize the connection between the social determinants of health and improved mental health outcomes. Access tools and resources to support appropriate assessment. Explore strategic thinking for community mental health partnerships. Learn what kinds of questions and data will lead them to these partnerships, and how to evaluate the opportunities that exist within them. Establish a framework for incorporating the social determinants of health into their everyday practice.  

The Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), in collaboration with the OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), has developed a three-part series of fact sheets to deepen knowledge and understanding of the ISF. All three documents provide case examples that highlight the local context in which data-based decision making occurs and reflect the diversity of school communities in the region.  This particular factsheet describes what will be different for educators and mental health providers when school mental health is integrated into a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).  

There is a growing movement to identify and promote community-defined evidence (CDE) practices and strategies. CDE practices are bottom-up/ground-up practices that come from the community and the organizations that serve them. CDE practices can range from mental health treatments to community outreach to other services and supports. This compendium is designed to help organizations, providers, and communities establish evidence of effectiveness for CDE practices. It includes: an introduction to CDE; examples from the Pacific Southwest region; evaluation approaches; best practices for ethical evaluation; and an annotated resource list.

On June 26th, we held our webinar "Financial Health and Mental Health: Making the Connection". Annie Harper, Ph.D, from Yale Program and Recovery and Community Health, addressed the connection between mental illness and poverty, focusing particularly on money management and access to financial services. 

The workload for a school counselor in a traditional role can be overwhelming, and students in need of mental or emotional support may be inadvertently overlooked. This webinar describes how shifting from a traditional counseling approach to a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) benefits both students and staff members who provide mental and/or behavioral support services. Strategies discussed include using data to identify students in need of support, expanding the effectiveness of the continuum of interventions, and thinking “out of the box” to engage non-traditional MTSS team members. The Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education) Coordinators from two rural school districts in northern Nevada share how an MTSS has transformed their districts and positively impacted the lives of students. Participants learn key strategies from two rural school districts who built a Multi-Tiered System of Support from the ground up. Successes, lessons learned, and the challenges that two Project AWARE grantees have experienced while implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Support will benefit all participants who join! Identify school and community resources that can be used to provide preventative and early intervention services Understand the enhanced continuum of interventions in a multi-tiered and multi-dimensional system of support Understand how to target interventions and monitor progress using data  

Training and Technical Assistance Needs Findings from a Survey of Professionals Who Serve Individuals with Mental Illness in Region 8 The Mountain Plains MHTTC team conducted an electronic survey in March 2019 to identify the mental health technical assistance and trainings needs of Region 8. The survey was distributed electronically to individuals in Region 8 who serve persons with mental illness. Results presented in this report will help the Mountain Plains MHTTC staff better collaborate with providers and stakeholders throughout the region. Additionally, the survey results will inform the development of new products, training materials, and technical assistance requests. The report identifies aggregate training needs as well as state specific requests and variation between rural and urban respondents. Authors Shawnda Schroeder Thomasine Heitkamp

This handout summarizes the research that links student mental health to academic outcomes. This research brief charts the effects of untreated mental health challenges on academic achievement, GPA, test scores, attendance, and graduation.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) are federal laws that protect health privacy and ensure that student records remain confidential. HIPAA and FERPA laws are crucial in protecting student and family health information when building school mental health referral pathways, integrated support systems, and student mental health structures. Some states and islands have implemented additional regulations to these federal laws. This month, we're releasing Part 1 of a two-part HIPAA and FERPA tool. Part 1 helps individuals in Hawai'i, California, Nevada and Arizona quickly access information about state-specific HIPAA and FERPA policies.