Products and Resources Catalog

The month of November is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and traditions of Native people. We commemorate this month by remembering the past and raising awareness of the customs, struggles and strengths of Native people throughout their history and today. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we are dedicating this newsletter to American Indian and Alaska Native communities and sharing culturally relevant and developed behavioral health training topics and resources. 

  ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this episode, we talk with Dr. Akansha Vaswani-Bye and Sarah Fikre about their experiences, career paths thus far and what inspires and motivates them to keep pushing for a more equitable landscape in the mental health field. They also discuss how the Social Justice and Inclusion track in the Mental Health Institute will help providers understand that by taking a Social Justice and Inclusion approach to mental health care, we can challenge disparities and inequities in order to provide the most effective and culturally appropriate care for our patients. Listen to learn about the available sessions in the Social Justice and Inclusion Track, how Akansha and Sarah became involved in this work, and what their hopes are for the Mental Health Institute. GUESTS Akansha Vaswani-Bye, PhD Akansha Vaswani Bye, PhD, is an Acting Assistant Professor in the SPIRIT Lab (stands for Supporting Psychosis Innovation through Research, Implementation and Training) at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She grew up in Mumbai and her first learnings as a professional came from individuals and families navigating developmental disabilities. Early in her career, she was introduced to the principles of family-centered care, early intervention, and community-based advocacy. Her interest in narrative practices and systemic change has been at the forefront as she moved into spaces as a researcher, clinician, consultant, and trainer. Her doctoral work focused on drivers of institutional corruption in psychiatry and solutions for reform, particularly the practice of deprescribing and rational prescribing grounded in informed consent. Her current research and implementation work is focused on supporting communities impacted by psychosis, building the family peer workforce, and developing and disseminating culturally responsive principles and practices. She is particularly interested in non-pathologizing interventions and interventions that account for the impact of structural and social determinants of health. Currently, her clinical work is located at the Madison Clinic, a primary care clinic for people living with HIV/AIDS.    Sarah Fikre Sarah is a Research Study Coordinator in the SPIRIT Lab, primarily working with Dr. Vaswani-Bye in supporting the newly launched Mental Health Institute. Before joining the SPIRIT Lab, she worked as a Research Assistant at the Icahn School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, supporting an ongoing NIH-funded research study investigating the effects of supermarket discounts on shopping, food intake, body weight, and health status. She received her BA in Psychology at Columbia University in 2022 and plans to apply to medical school with the hopes of becoming a Psychiatrist and improving mental health outcomes of underserved communities.   HOST Christina N. Clayton, LICSW, SUDP, Northwest MHTTC Co-Director Christina Clayton has been working in the behavioral health field since 1993 working with people and programs addressing severe mental health issues, substance use, co-occurring issues, chronic homelessness, integrated care, outreach, physical health, trauma and diversity/equity/inclusion topics. Christina has education and licenses/credentials in clinical social work, mental health and substance use.  She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor and Field Instructor for the University of Washington School of Social Work (MSW ’97).  Learn more about MHTTC Staff & Faculty   LEARN MORE Mental Health Institute for Washington State Providers PODCAST SERIES Discover other episodes in the Putting It Together series here. Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The October 2022 issue closes out our celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (observed Sept.15-Oct.15) with new episodes of the Checking In Podcast. This issue also features information and resources that support National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and National Bullying Prevention Month. You will also find links to all the upcoming events and trainings for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. 

  Host: Isa Velez Echevarria, PsyD Featured Guest: Adriana Alejandre, LMFT, Founder of Latinx Therapy and Host of Latinx Therapy Podcast   ****Este podcast es en Español.****   We invite you to check in with Isa Velez and Adriana Alejandre as they celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, discuss the importance of providing culturally appropriate services for Hispanic/Latinx communities, and share with listeners a variety of projects and resources specific to supporting behavioral health for Hispanic/Latinx populations.  (Listening time: 18 min., 22 sec.)      Adriana Alejandre, LMFT Adriana Alejandre is a trauma psychotherapist and speaker from Los Angeles, California. She specializes in serving adults who struggle with PTSD and severe traumas at her own private practice. In recent years, she has also offered her services as part of disaster relief efforts for those traumatized and distressed by Hurricane Harvey and the Las Vegas shooting. Adriana is the founder of Latinx Therapy, a national directory of Latinx Therapists and global, bilingual podcast that provides education to combat the stigma of mental health on the ground, and in the digital spaces. Adriana’s expertise has been featured in LA Times, Telemundo, USA Today, the New York Times and Buzzfeed, among many others. In 2019, she won Hispanizice’s TECLA award for Best Social Good Content award, and in 2020 she was one of five Latinx influencers chosen for the #YoSoy Instagram and Hispanic Heritage Foundation award. Adriana’s mission is to create spaces to spark dialogue about mental health struggles and strengths in the Latinx community.   Latinx Therapy Podcast Latinx Therapy Website, Service Provider Directory, & Other Resources

  Host: Isa Velez Echevarria, PsyD Featured Guest: Adriana Alejandre, LMFT, Founder of Latinx Therapy and Host of Latinx Therapy Podcast   ****This podcast was recorded in English.****   We invite you to check in with Isa Velez and Adriana Alejandre as they celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, discuss the importance of providing culturally appropriate services for Hispanic/Latinx communities, and share with listeners a variety of projects and resources specific to supporting behavioral health for Hispanic/Latinx populations.  (Listening time: 20 min., 49 sec.)      Adriana Alejandre, LMFT Adriana Alejandre is a trauma psychotherapist and speaker from Los Angeles, California. She specializes in serving adults who struggle with PTSD and severe traumas at her own private practice. In recent years, she has also offered her services as part of disaster relief efforts for those traumatized and distressed by Hurricane Harvey and the Las Vegas shooting. Adriana is the founder of Latinx Therapy, a national directory of Latinx Therapists and global, bilingual podcast that provides education to combat the stigma of mental health on the ground, and in the digital spaces. Adriana’s expertise has been featured in LA Times, Telemundo, USA Today, the New York Times and Buzzfeed, among many others. In 2019, she won Hispanizice’s TECLA award for Best Social Good Content award, and in 2020 she was one of five Latinx influencers chosen for the #YoSoy Instagram and Hispanic Heritage Foundation award. Adriana’s mission is to create spaces to spark dialogue about mental health struggles and strengths in the Latinx community.   Latinx Therapy Podcast Latinx Therapy Website, Service Provider Directory, & Other Resources

  Host: Isa Velez Echevarria, PsyD Featured Guest: Maureen Dee, MSW, MBA   ****This podcast was recorded in English.****   We invite you to check in with Isa Velez and Maureen Dee as they celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, discuss the importance of providing culturally appropriate services for Hispanic/Latinx communities, and share with listeners a variety of projects and resources specific to supporting behavioral health for Hispanic/Latinx populations.  (Listening time: 41 min., 37 sec.)      Maureen Dee, MSW, MBA Maureen Dee retired in 2019 from her position of Executive Director of Treatment, Prevention and Recovery Programs at Catholic Charities Corporation, in the Diocese of Cleveland.  Since graduating from CWRU/MSASS in 1978 (Master’s in Social Work), she went to work at Catholic Counseling Center in Cleveland, as a bilingual social worker. She subsequently earned an MBA from Cleveland State in 1985. Maureen was born and raised in Uruguay, South America, and is committed to serving the Hispanic Community. Starting with her course of study at MSASS, she specialized in program planning and alcohol treatment. She started various programs for juvenile justice-involved adolescents who presented with a concern about their use of alcohol and/or other drugs. She developed an expertise in the delivery of alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention at Catholic Charities and managed all of Catholic Charities’ behavioral health programs in Cuyahoga County, including 4 Matt Talbot residential treatment centers.  She worked in Cleveland’s Catholic Social Services system for 41 years. Maureen facilitated the start of the first Hispanic Urban Minority Alcohol and Drug Abuse Outpatient Program in Ohio (the Hispanic UMADAOP) which was housed temporarily under Catholic Charities and then became its own 501 C 3 organization under Miguel Prieto.  She helped start Hispanic Alliance, Inc., a consortium of Hispanic-serving organizations to promote collaboration and enhance funding for the needs in the Hispanic community. She was also instrumental in securing the zoning and funding to establish Hispanic UMADAOP’s Casa ALMA residential treatment center for latinos, also the first in Ohio.  She has served on various Ohio State and Cuyahoga County strategic and planning committees, including the Ohio Recovery Council under Governor Richard Celeste which was instrumental in forming the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS); was appointed to serve on the Ohio Chemical Dependency Credentialing Board for 8 years (now the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board); was instrumental in developing the adolescent criteria for determining placement in treatment levels of care (a precursor to the ASAM criteria); was on the Cuyahoga County Service Coordination Team under the Families and Children First Council which coordinated child placements for the Department of Children and Family Services and the Juvenile Court; and was on many other committees and collaborations with the intent of advancing alcohol, other drug addiction and mental health treatment and prevention services for special populations, in particular adolescents and minorities. Maureen currently serves on the Hispanic Roundtable and on the governing boards of LATINA, Inc., the MetroHealth System and the Brittingham Memorial Medical Library at MetroHealth, and is also on the Board of Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center, which serves the HIV/AIDS population.  Maureen is a member of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences’ Visiting Committee at Case Western Reserve University. She is a mentor for Master’s students in their Leadership Fellows Program and she is also a mentor for College Now first time college-bound Hispanic students transitioning from the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD).  

  The Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC have created an online flipbook for the Alcohol is STILL a Drug series. Alcohol is STILL a Drug is comprised of ten 30-minute videos recorded between September 2021–August 2022. Each video addresses the impacts of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and is presented by a leading professional in that field.    You can view the flipbook online or you can download a PDF version. The videos and supplemental resources are accessible in either format.      ABOUT THE SERIES: The opioid crisis, increasing stimulant misuse, and marijuana legalization often dominate the news—yet alcohol remains the number one substance negatively impacting physical health, mental health, social engagement, and financial stability for individuals throughout the US.   While this series will focus on the hopefulness of recovery from AUD, it will also take a deep dive into what we know about the full impact of alcohol overuse and the ways it affects everyone, even those who do not personally misuse alcohol.   The Alcohol Is Still a Drug series offers viewers the following learning objectives: Summarize the current impacts of problematic alcohol use in various/special populations, including pregnant women, youth, rural, and minority populations Assess and prioritize alcohol reduction efforts in targeted settings Describe the current efforts to curb problematic alcohol use, including best practices in providing treatment Understand the importance of person-centered approaches to treatment and recovery  

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The September 2022 issue celebrates National Recovery Month and the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month (observed Sept.15-Oct.15). This issue also features new products, such as the Alcohol Is Still a Drug webinar series flipbook and the MHTTC Network's Cultural Inclusiveness and Equity WISE companion training series. Don't miss SAMHSA Assistant Secretary, Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon's video address in honor of National Recovery Month. You will also find links to all the upcoming events and trainings for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. 

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The August 2022 issue features content related to the nationwide transition to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Great Lakes MHTTC's newly released Classroom WISE Discussion Guide, the new CDC drug overdose disparities report, and SAMSHA's "Talk. They Hear You."® youth substance use prevention campaign. You will also find links to all the upcoming events and trainings for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. 

July 28, 2022 During Minority Mental Health Month, join our efforts to amplify the work of community-based organizations (CBOs) in Connecticut and New Hampshire supporting mental health and advancing substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery! In a "Round-Robin-style" of presentation, CBOs and local nonprofits in Connecticut and New Hampshire will showcase their goals, growth, outcomes, and visions for the future in their efforts to support the behavioral health needs of underserved populations.   Presenter(s): Taylor Bryan Turner, Assistant Regional Administrator, SAMHSA Region 1 Maria Restrepo-Toro, Co-Director, New England MHTTC Susan Stearns, Executive Director, NAMI NH Liz Taylor, Executive Director, NAMI CT  

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE This webinar focuses on defining equity and examining actionable steps toward inclusive practices. The presenter reviews relationships between equity and organizational change and facilitates a space for open and productive dialogue that honors the narratives of people experiencing marginalization. A goal of the session is to pivot from performative and siloed diversity initiatives by starting with equity, leading to a more sustainable, authentic, and trauma-informed culture shift. We review dominant culture and institutional biases that may uphold inequities and strategize around dealing with resistance to essential equitable practices. Learning Objectives: Define and provide tangible examples of equity. Assess our readiness to engage meaningfully in conversations around equity. Review common organizational pitfalls in implementing equitable practices. Assess what transformative change looks like in practice. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Presentation slides Highlights & Key Concepts Document Racial Equity and Cultural Diversity – a collection of resources curated by the MHTTC Network FACILITATOR Ashley Stewart, MSW, PhD, LSW Ashley Stewart, PhD, MSW, LSW, received her PhD from The Ohio State University, College of Social Work, and her master’s at Columbia University. Dr. Stewart is Race-Equity Subject Matter Expert, Trainer & Curriculum Development Specialist at C4 Innovations. In this role, she provides technical assistance, training, and organizational support to national organizations, boards of directors, and behavioral health organizations on implementing anti-racist practices. She utilizes an equity-centered approach to ensure that diversity and inclusion efforts move forward and reduce harm to people marginalized by systems. Her work includes assessing the intersections of identity, structural oppression, wellness, and policy. In addition to the advanced study of the consequence and causes of identity-based oppression, Dr. Stewart supports implementing anti-oppressive practices in organizational, structural, programmatic, and interpersonal interventions.  

Stress is a common factor in our society that affects and impacts us daily. On many occasions, this is the cause of various physical and mental health conditions, which creates difficulty in our daily lives. For marginalized communities, the stress factor increases. For decades, the LGBT+1 community has been a population marginalized and stigmatized by the State. Adding to this issue, being part of an ethnic minority increases the stress factor. The Minority Stress Model describes the excessive stress to which individuals of stigmatized social categories are exposed due to their social position, which is often that of a minority. Rodríguez-Seijas and colleagues (2019) estimate that about 25% of people in the Latinx sexual identity/orientation minority sector in the past year have met the criteria for a diagnosis of major depression and 37% a diagnosis of alcohol use. Compared to heterosexual Latinxs, you see a difference between 11% and 13%, respectively. This is a worrying figure because it reflects the social disparities the community goes through.    

The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The July 2022 issue features content related to Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, World Hepatitis Day (July 28), Naloxone Vending Machine (NVM) Implementation, and the new Comprehensive Culturally Responsive Glossary. You will also find links to all the upcoming events and trainings for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC. 

July 6, 2022 Better Together: A Proactive Journey Toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion The New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (New England MHTTC) is committed to ensuring equitable outcomes for all. In 2020, amid ongoing racial injustice and grave civic and political unrest, the New England MHTTC launched a strategic process to guide the organization's intentional efforts to expand its racial equity lens—in terms of its policies, structure, activities, and engagements with racially diverse audiences. Learn more about the organization's "Better Together" journey and the internal and external tactics they employed to better serve and engage communities of color, in a consistent and practical way, from members of the New England MHTTC Team.   To view the slide deck that pairs with this presentation, click here. 

June 14, 2022 Using data to drive decision-making is critical to ensuring that behavioral health services improve the lives of all people, no matter their race, background, or circumstance. During the Using Data for Equity webinar on Thursday, May 26 our partners at Third Sector shared a five-step process of using data to operationalize equity. This Diversity Talk pairs with that webinar and will include three elements: 1) responses to questions from the webinar, 2) deeper dives into each of the five steps, including how to address challenges and mitigate risks, and 3) facilitated discussion and peer learning on using data for equity. Check out the video archive from our May 26 webinar and make plans to extend your learning at this related Diversity Talk.   To view the recording, please go to: https://youtu.be/nyUQx_58glU   Slides coming soon!

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.

In the U.S., approximately 2% of youth have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Anxiety disorders are much more common among autistic youth. This infographic displays anxiety symptoms that are commonly experienced by autistic students.   In our products, we choose to use identity first language (i.e., autistic students) in response to the preference of many autistic individuals and in an effort to avoid ableist ideologies. We recognize that this is not the language preference of every individual. For more information on the rationale for our language choice, please see the Bottema-Beutel et al., 2021.  

May 26, 2022 Using data to drive decision-making is critical to ensuring that behavioral health services improve the lives of all people, no matter their race, background, or circumstance. During the Using Data for Equity webinar on Thursday, May 26, our partners at Third Sector shared a five-step process of using data to operationalize equity. Check out the video archive and make plans to extend your learning at the connected Diversity Talk on June 14 at 1:00 p.m., ET. To watch the recording, go to: https://youtu.be/WS_afNwJgbE   Presenter(s): Third Sector Capital Partners, Inc. Third Sector is a national nonprofit technical assistance organization that advises government agencies on ways to reshape their policies, systems, and services toward better outcomes for all people no matter their race, background, and circumstances.  

In the U.S., approximately 2% of youth have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Mental health challenges are much more common among autistic youth. This infographic explores the relationship between autism and mental health risk in school-age youth.    In our products, we choose to use identity first language (i.e., autistic students) in response to the preference of many autistic individuals and in an effort to avoid ableist ideologies. We recognize that this is not the language preference of every individual. For more information on the rationale for our language choice, please see the Bottema-Beutel et al., 2021.  

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.

May 5, 2022 Creating a culture of change requires transformative leadership. Watch this interactive session, an extended opportunity to discuss the traits of transformational leaders, with speakers from our 4/28/ REACH Session. Learn strategies to help create and communicate your organization’s vision, and then inspire, motivate, and empower others to achieve that vision.   To watch the recording, please go to: https://youtu.be/-TvphoMyeBw    

/*-->*/ /*-->*/ /*--> April 28, 2022 Creating a culture of change requires transformative leadership. Our panel of experts will discuss the traits of transformational leaders and share strategies to help leaders create and communicate an organization’s vision, and then to inspire, motivate, and empower others to achieve that vision.   to watch the recording, go to: https://youtu.be/z4NW6msF4qs   Presenters:  Ashley Stewart, PhD, MSSW, C4 Trainer & Curriculum Development Specialist, C4 Innovations Livia Davis, MSW, Chief Learning Officer, C4 Innovations

The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The June 2022 issue features content related to Pride Month and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, the Counselor's Corner blog, the Checking In Podcast: Understanding PTSD in First Responders, and a complete calendar of events. 

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE This document provides an overview of the core elements of a whole-person care framework and was developed in conjunction with the webinar "A Framework for Whole-Person Care in Behavioral Health" held on December 2, 2021. View the recorded webinar and other related resources here.     Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement