Products and Resources Catalog

This brief report examines the reported prevalence of sadness and hopelessness, suicidal ideation, bullying, fighting, and current drug and alcohol use among high school age youth in the Southeast region’s eight states. These data are derived from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System.

Recent prevalence estimates indicate that 1 in 36 school-age children have autism. Autistic students are much more likely than non-autistic students to experience mental health challenges, including difficulty with flexibility.  This infographic provides information about strategies that can be used by educators to help autistic students navigate situations that differ from their expectations. This infographic includes how to teach these flexibility strategies in a manner that is inclusive and neurodiversity affirming.

About this Resource:  This 4-part series looks at mental health respite care from the peer perspective, including discussions on its history and future direction, when and how it is being used (both in the Southeast and nationally), and the ways it can benefit one's recovery journey. In Part 4, the final session of this series, thought leaders in behavioral health and respite discuss and answer questions about the future of peer-led peer-run alternatives to the traditional clinical hierarchical model as well as discuss how "peer-washing" traditional services to give them a recovery sheen is impacting peer support and respite models. Our presenters will also forecast what they believe will (or should) come next for the mental health recovery community.     Click here to access the on-demand recordings from the other sessions in this 4-part series.  

About this Resource:  This 4-part series looks at mental health respite care from the peer perspective, including discussions on its history and future direction, when and how it is being used (both in the Southeast and nationally), and the ways it can benefit one's recovery journey. In Part 3 of our series leaders of respite centers across the country shared their lived experience operating their centers. Speakers discussed how respite standards have emerged and how different elements impact the ability of respite to open or remain open, including politics, NIMBYism, economic fluctuations, state and national leadership changes, and even the weather..   Click here to learn more about the 4-part series or view on-demand recordings from our other sessions. 

About this Resource: Region IV is the largest HHS region, comprised of eight states and 26% of the U.S. population. These states have large rural populations, high poverty rates, and face racial and cultural disparities in care. In addition the Southeast states have considerable clinical, geographic, workforce, and health system differences and often score below the median on state rankings for mental health outcomes. While these factors are important considerations when planning mental health care and support services, understanding these influences separately can be challenging. Similarly, determining the location of additional resources and the possibility of building or expanding upon mental health - public health partnerships may also be an important consideration. The Southeast MHTTC Data Visualization Project provides information on Region IV priorities in an easy to understand graphical format. Click on the "View Resource" button above to access this map and learn more about the availability of public sector healthcare resources. Public Sector Healthcare Resources Relevant Factors: Locations of public sector healthcare resources, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Mental Health facilities; provider shortage areas; and rural versus urban communities. Helpful Tips: To view each map in this visualization series, scroll using the gray scroller bar or gray arrows below. You may also click on each of the gray boxes (or tabs). Map 1 shows the location of FQHCs in Mental Health Provider Shortage Areas. Map 2 shows the location of FQHCs in rural versus urban areas. Map 3 shows the presence of healthcare facilities within each county. Map 4 shows the distance between FQHCs and Mental Health facilities within counties. References for Data Sources: ​​Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Data Warehouse Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Behavioral Health Treatment Locator. 2023 County Health Rankings National Data Rankings data & documentation | County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

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 July 2023 issue promotes National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, highlights our upcoming events and recently developed products, celebrates efforts being done by Region IV states, and provides resources available through the MHTTC Network and SAMHSA to connect individuals to needed treatment and support. 

Recent prevalence estimates indicate that 1 in 36 school-age children have autism. Autistic students are much more likely than non-autistic students to experience mental health challenges, including difficulty with emotion regulation.  This infographic provides information about strategies educators can use to support autistic students that experience emotion regulation challenges in a manner that is inclusive and neurodiversity affirming.

About this Resource: Gaining and maintaining employment can be a crucial part of one's mental health recovery as it may provide an individual with a sense of purpose, a routine, income and health insurance benefits. This flipbook document, which serves as an accompanying product to the on-demand recording of Nev Jones, PhD, reviews evidence-based employment interventions (e.g., Supported Employment), examines the limitations of these models, and discusses ways mental health providers can help strengthen the career and income pathways for their clients. To view this resource in pdf format, please click here. 

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.

About this Resource:  This 4-part series looks at mental health respite care from the peer perspective, including discussions on its history and future direction, when and how it is being used (both in the Southeast and nationally), and the ways it can benefit one's recovery journey. In Part 2 of our series presenters discussed how the peer support/respite model is not new but builds on models as recent as the early 20th century self-help groups. Different respite models and their unique benefits and challenges are explored.   Click here to learn more about the 4-part series or view on-demand recordings from our other sessions. 

About this Resource:  In this on-demand recording Dr. Sierra Carter provides an overview of the field of racism-related stress and trauma among Black Americans. Developmental considerations are discussed as well as challenges and clinical issues that arise with identifying racism-related stress or racial trauma symptoms. Methods to identify, process, and heal from racism-related stress and trauma are also explored.    To download presenter materials (pdf), please click here.     

Download the presentation slides here Session Overview: Medicaid is a leading source of financing for school mental health services and programs.  Looking forward, LEAs and mental health providers may be able to bill Medicaid for more services if there is better alignment between Medicaid policies and the services provided.  In this webinar event, Dr. Adam Wilk (SE MHTTC Policy Lead) will describe key processes through which Medicaid policies can be changed to increase Medicaid funding support for school mental health services.  He will provide examples of states that have pursued specific reforms, and he will also highlight important resources that can help school mental health leaders to identify what steps may be most appropriate to take in their home state.  This session is designed for those who are interested in learning more about options for changing Medicaid policy to better support school mental health systems and services.   Learning Objectives: Specify when Medicaid can be billed for school mental health services (including services that today are provided but not billed). Describe and distinguish the two main pathways for reforming state Medicaid programs in support of school mental health. Reference examples of other states that have pursued Medicaid reforms to advance school mental health systems.   Speaker:    Adam Wilk is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public health.  He is the Financial Policy Lead for the Southeast Region’s Mental Health Technology Transfer Center: Administrative Supplement on School-based Mental Health.  Dr. Wilk is a health economist and health services researcher, conducting research on Medicaid and underserved populations, physician decision-making, and the management of complex, chronically ill patients.  He received his doctorate at The University of Michigan School of Public Health in 2015.  Before his time in Michigan, Dr. Wilk worked at The Brookings Institution and as a consultant at The Lewin Group.

About this Resource:  This 4-part series takes a look at mental health respite care from the peer perspective, including discussions on its history and future direction, when and how it is being used (both in the Southeast and nationally), and the ways it can benefit one's recovery journey. In part 1 of the series, presenters from Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMHCN) provide an introduction of the Consumer/Survivor/Ex-Patient Movement, with a case study example from Georgia. The historical perspectives on peer-run alternatives and recovery-oriented services are discussed.   To learn more about this series and register for upcoming sessions, please click here. 

1 in 36 school-age children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autistic students are much more likely than non-autistic students to experience mental health challenges, including difficulty with executive functioning.  This infographic provides an overview of common executive function differences in autistic students and why these differences matter for school.

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. The emotional and interpersonal understanding between a peer and CPS is crucial in the recovery journey. This fact sheet examines the unique role of CPS of color, identifies challenges they may face, and suggests recommendations an organization can implement to support CPS of color. 

About this Resource:  Motivational Interviewing is a brief person-centered evidence-based practice for strengthening an individual’s motivation for and commitment to change. It is a helpful counseling strategy for people with serious mental illness and the skills can be applied during brief therapy encounters and to a variety of behavioral change outcomes such as increasing medication adherence, building independent living skills, and managing physical health issues.  In this on-demand recording, clinicians learn the foundation of motivational interviewing, what the four processes are, how to recognize and respond to change talk and how to apply motivational interviewing skills to practice with clients.  Please click here to download the presenter's slide deck (pdf). 

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 2023 issue promotes May Awareness events (National Mental Health Awareness Month & Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month), highlights our upcoming events and recently developed products, celebrates efforts being done by Region IV states, and provides resources available through the MHTTC Network and SAMHSA to connect individuals to needed treatment and support. 

About this Resource:  Regardless of clinical orientation or technique, effective therapy hinges on the quality of the therapeutic relationship and of the therapist's ability to create and nurture factors of trust, empathy, warmth, non judgment, collaboration, presence and empowerment for the client. Although we would like to believe that we all naturally foster these characteristics in our work, our ability to do this effectively, depends on our ability to know, regulate and challenge ourselves. Radical introspection draws upon the traditions of mindfulness, self inquiry and reflective writing to bring the clinician into a deeper awareness of themselves so they can create more impactful and meaningful therapeutic work.   Please click here to access presenter materials. 

About this Resource: This 'Trauma and the Peer Perspective' Infographic reviews information from the 3-part series hosted by the Southeast MHTTC. It examines the myriad of ways trauma is defined, how trauma is often addressed within behavioral health systems, the ways systems can create trauma and/or re-traumatize those seeking help, and how trauma informed peer support services can be a game changer. To view on-demand recordings from the 3-part series, please click here. 

About this Resource: Public mental health stigma is pervasive and has many negative impacts. One consequence is that it can lead to self-stigma among mental health service users, including people with severe mental illness. This infographic discusses how self-stigma can impact identity development of service users and shares ways that mental health staff can help combat mental health stigma.

About this Resource:  The Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® is a skills-based wellness and prevention program that provides a biological, non-stigmatizing perspective on human reactions to stress and trauma. The primary focus of this stabilization program is to learn to reset the natural balance of the nervous system, using the body itself. CRM skills help people understand their nervous system and learn to track sensations connected to their own wellbeing. During this on-demand recording, the presenters teach easy-to-learn skills to manage difficult emotions which can be brought on by stressful personal or professional situations. CRM skills may be shared with others immediately after taking the 1 ½ hour training. Please click here to access the presenter slides.  CRM skills are useful for self-care in any setting: work, home, school, healthcare, faith communities, public safety, and even in crisis situations. CRM is a valuable resource for individuals coping with chronic stressors such as physical pain, addiction, and grief or loss. A range of persons that suffer the effects of cumulative trauma (e.g., violence, poverty, racism, homophobia, incarceration) may benefit from these tools.   Resources mentioned during the presentation: Dan Siegel’s Hand Brain Model  Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-m2YcdMdFw https://www.ichillapp.com/ CRM was developed at the Trauma Resource Institute by Elaine Miller-Karas [Miller-Karas, E. (2015). Building resilience to trauma: The trauma and community resiliency models. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group]. For more information: http://crmgeorgia.org/

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. 

Download the presentation slides here Session Overview:  The Biden Administration and Congress are showing renewed commitment to improving school-based mental health and substance use disorders services for young people. Through passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022), we expect to see new federal guidance (revising policies that have not been updated in almost 20 years), the launch of a school Medicaid technical assistance center, and $50 million in state grants. In this webinar event, Lena O’Rourke (on behalf of Healthy Schools Campaign), Orla Kennedy and Dusan Stojicic (Community Catalyst) will explain how school mental health leaders can leverage these opportunities to improve school-based health services, including meaningfully engaging young people in that process.   Learning Objectives: By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: 1. Identify key federal opportunities from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act for financing school-based mental health and substance use programs for young people.  2. Identify strategies for engaging leaders at the school, district, and state levels to effectively leverage these financing opportunities 3. Identify ways to meaningfully engage youth when leveraging these federal financing channels to improve school-based health services   Speakers:      Lena O’Rourke (she, her), on behalf of Healthy Schools Campaign Lena O’Rourke is founder and Principal at O’Rourke Health Policy Strategies. She is an experienced health care policy analyst and strategist focused on expanding access to high quality, affordable health insurance and Medicaid. Her work focuses on national and state policy campaigns to influence legislative and regulatory policy. Lena has worked as a health care and social justice advocate for over 20 years. Most recently, she worked intensively on federal and state policy to expand and strengthen the ability of states and school districts to leverage school Medicaid to support student health and wellness. She leads the Healthy Students, Promising Futures Learning Collaborative (HSPF), a project of Healthy Schools Campaign. In this role, Lena provides support directly to state Medicaid agencies, state departments of education, and school districts on policy opportunities and choices to expand and enhance school-based Medicaid programs. In this role she also works with federal legislators and policymakers to offer support, technical assistance, and to share the experiences of states on school Medicaid.     Orla Kennedy (she, her), Senior Policy Analyst, Community Catalyst Orla Kennedy is a Senior Policy Analyst for the Substance Use Disorders team at Community Catalyst, where she advocates for policy changes to improve substance use disorders treatment and recovery support services and promote alternatives to incarceration. Orla has experience in policy research and analysis, community engagement, and technical assistance. She has worked at John Snow, Inc., Harvard School of Public Health and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. Orla brings her public health perspective to Community Catalyst, and is passionate about health equity and improving health outcomes for underserved populations. Orla has a Master of Science in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, and a Bachelor’s from Providence College.     Dusan Stojicic (he, him), Associate Program Director, Community Catalyst Dusan Stojicic is Associate Director for the Substance Use Disorders and Justice-Involved Populations Program at Community Catalyst as well as an individual with lived experience of substance use disorders. As part of the program, he assists in managing initiatives to ensure that affordable and appropriate prevention, early intervention, and treatment services are available to all. This includes organizing communities, developing policy alternatives, and advocating for change in public policy and regulatory policy. Originally trained as a health economist, Dusan has gained most of his experience in working with communities directly. Dusan holds a Master's degree in Health Economics and Analysis from the Heller School at Brandeis University.    

About this Resource:  This webinar recording focuses on telehealth approaches to providing educational resources for treating behavioral health conditions in rural settings. Dr. Lori Raney covers a range of technology approaches including Project ECHO, e-Consult, and the use of self-management technology. She presents useful information that can help administrators plan for educational approaches to help staff in remote settings continue to learn, find mentoring support and thrive professionally. Click here to download the presenter's slides (pdf).