Products and Resources Catalog

This module prepares the learner to engage with clients living with mental illnesses in a trauma informed manner. Participants will learn to: Understand the impact of trauma on clients Recognize signs and prevalence of trauma Adjust own behavior and create a safe space for persons exposed to trauma   Learn more about HealtheKnowledge here: HealtheKnowledge Courses Learn more about the full series here: New Employees in Mental Health Services: A Training Series    

This module prepares the learner to engage with clients living with mental illnesses in a culturally competent and humble manner. Participants will learn to: Provide or access services that fit with the clients’ culture or preferences Value the culture of each client served to provide better support and services Recognize own biases and values and not let them interfere in work relationships Recognize that the client served is the expert in their own culture Inquire about and respect the cultural needs and preferences of each client Assist the client to find social, learning and recreational opportunities valued in their culture   Learn more about HealtheKnowledge here: HealtheKnowledge Courses Learn more about the full series here: New Employees in Mental Health Services: A Training Series    

  This module teaches the evidence-based practice of motivational interviewing including stage-based treatment and how to use micro-skills to respond to change or sustain talk. Participants will learn to: Assist clients in goal setting and responding to desires to change in a stage-based manner Engage clients through open ended-questions, affirmations, summaries and reflective listening Respond to sustain talk Elicit change talk   Learn more about HealtheKnowledge here: HealtheKnowledge Courses Learn more about the full series here: New Employees in Mental Health Services: A Training Series    

This module prepares the learner to effectively engage with clients who are experiencing a crisis. Participants will learn to: Recognize risk and early warning signs of crisis Use positive behavior supports to prevent crisis and promote health and safety Use appropriate and approved intervention approaches to resolve a crisis through the use of de-escalation techniques Seek help from other staff or services when needed during and after a crisis and knows de-escalation techniques Monitor situations and communicate with the client and his or her family and support team to reduce risk Report incidents according to policies and procedures See own potential role within a conflict or crisis and changes behavior to minimize conflict Create an individualized crisis prevention plan per agency policy and procedures   Learn more about HealtheKnowledge here: HealtheKnowledge Courses Learn more about the full series here: New Employees in Mental Health Services: A Training Series  

This module prepares the learner to take on the role of the helper. Participants will learn to: Separate oneself from the struggles of the clients served Recognize symptoms and signs of compassion fatigue in self and others Create own wellness plan as part of professional development planning Identify and use coping strategies for own wellness   Learn more about HealtheKnowledge here: HealtheKnowledge Courses Learn more about the full series here: New Employees in Mental Health Services: A Training Series  

This module prepares the learner to effectively collaborate with clients on their treatment. Participants will learn to: Build collaborative, professional relationships with the client, families, and other members of the support team/system as identified by the client, using their strengths, needs, abilities and preferences Understand stages of change Use shared decision making with the client Actively elicit the perspective (voice and choice) of the client Prioritize the voice and preferences of the client Participate as an active member of service or support team Use a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to working in partnership with the client to track progress toward goals and adjust services as needed and desired by client Gather and review information about the client to provide quality services   Learn more about HealtheKnowledge here: HealtheKnowledge Courses Learn more about the full series here: New Employees in Mental Health Services: A Training Series  

This module teaches the learner about the foundation of recovery and their role in assisting people with mental illness in the process. Participants will learn to: Empower the client to set goals, make informed choices, and follow-through on responsibilities Support the client to advocate for him or herself by encouraging the client to speak for his or herself Support the client as they learn to access needed services, support and resources Assist the client to overcome barriers and access needed services Inform the client and their family of their rights and how they are protected   Learn more about HealtheKnowledge here: HealtheKnowledge Courses Learn more about the full series here: New Employees in Mental Health Services: A Training Series  

  Mitigating bias in hiring and promoting practices in the behavioral health field is a priority.  Behavioral health practitioners are required now more than ever to pay closer attention to these challenges in the workplace. Join us for a discussion around increasing awareness, effectively navigating challenges, and moving towards action.   Learning Objectives:  Define what professionalism means to your organization and the origins of that definition. Identify strategies to make hiring practices more inclusive.   Presented by:  Dr. Anitra Warrior is the owner of Morningstar Counseling and Consultation in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is from the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology in 2015 and has operated her clinic since 2012. Since receiving her Ph.D., Dr. Warrior has established four additional clinics that are now located throughout eastern Nebraska. Morningstar offers counseling on two college campuses, as well as in schools, communities, and other integrated care locations with the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. Clinic sites are based on reservations and in rural and urban settings. Dr. Warrior specializes in treating trauma in children through the utilization of evidenced based practices that have been adapted to the American Indian population. Most recently, Morningstar has become a training site for doctoral candidates with the Munroe-Meyer Institute. This track will focus on integrated care on the reservation as well as provide additional clinical training opportunities in schools, colleges, and in the tribal communities.   Belinda Hinojos, Ph.D., received her bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas. She completed her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is a staff psychologist and training director with Morningstar. In this role, she provides mental health services to American Indian communities in Nebraska. This includes outreach and services to the Little Priest Tribal College and the Nebraska Indian Community College. Dr. Hinojos previously held the position of training director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Throughout her career, Dr. Hinojos has focused on increasing access to quality mental health services for people of color. She began her work at UNL-CAPS as the Diversity Coordinator and Latinx Outreach Specialist. Prior to starting her doctoral program, Dr. Hinojos worked at a community mental health agency in Kansas City providing mental health services to the Latinx community. She is an active member of the National Latinx Psychological Association. She currently serves on the Standing Committee on Diversity through the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies, in addition to the Training Advisory Committee for the Minority Fellowship Program through the American Psychological Association.   Learn more about the series: Leadership Institute Community of Practice               

This is a recording of the Session 4 panel in the Rising Practices & Policies in the Workforce series, entitled, Mental Health & Student Mental Health Workforce: The Woes & Wonders of Recruitment & Retention. View this panel event with pre-service and in-service mental health and school mental health leaders to hear their experiences and strategies on how to address the supply and demand gap. The discussions with presenters and participants address challenges, rising practices and policies, and questions to hold. In this recorded session, presenters and participants collectively explore: What are the disparities between what the field needs and what trained professionals are able to provide? What are innovative ways pre-service and in-service graduate school programs are creating, incentivizing, credentialing, and certifying? How might we onboard and retain a new wave of providers in the context of new funding?

This podcast was produced as part of promotions for the upcoming webinar, Promoting Equity and Inclusion in the Workforce: Examining Bias in Hiring Practices hosted by Dr. Anitra Warrior & Dr. Belinda Hinojos.   Webinar description: Mitigating bias in hiring and promoting practices in the behavioral health field is a priority.  Behavioral health practitioners are required now more than ever to pay closer attention to these challenges in the workplace. Join us for a discussion around increasing awareness, effectively navigating challenges, and moving towards action.   About the presenters:  Dr. Anitra Warrior is the owner of Morningstar Counseling and Consultation in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is from the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology in 2015 and has operated her clinic since 2012. Since receiving her Ph.D., Dr. Warrior has established four additional clinics that are now located throughout eastern Nebraska. Morningstar offers counseling on two college campuses, as well as in schools, communities, and other integrated care locations with the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. Clinic sites are based on reservations and in rural and urban settings. Dr. Warrior specializes in treating trauma in children through the utilization of evidenced based practices that have been adapted to the American Indian population. Most recently, Morningstar has become a training site for doctoral candidates with the Munroe-Meyer Institute. This track will focus on integrated care on the reservation as well as provide additional clinical training opportunities in schools, colleges, and in the tribal communities.   Belinda Hinojos, Ph.D., received her bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas. She completed her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is a staff psychologist and training director with Morningstar. In this role, she provides mental health services to American Indian communities in Nebraska. This includes outreach and services to the Little Priest Tribal College and the Nebraska Indian Community College. Dr. Hinojos previously held the position of training director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Throughout her career, Dr. Hinojos has focused on increasing access to quality mental health services for people of color. She began her work at UNL-CAPS as the Diversity Coordinator and Latinx Outreach Specialist. Prior to starting her doctoral program, Dr. Hinojos worked at a community mental health agency in Kansas City providing mental health services to the Latinx community. She is an active member of the National Latinx Psychological Association. She currently serves on the Standing Committee on Diversity through the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies, in addition to the Training Advisory Committee for the Minority Fellowship Program through the American Psychological Association.   Learn more about this series: Leadership Institute Community of Practice                   

About this Resource:  Staff turnover has long been a problem in the mental health field and can be costly for organizations, mental health workers, and the clients they serve. While we know a great deal about why people leave, less is known about why mental health workers stay. This infographic serves as an accompaniment to our on-demand recording "Why People Stay: Workforce Retention in Community Behavioral Health" presented by Dr. Michelle Salyers. It reviews reasons for staff turnover and identifies potential factors that may support long term retention.   

To access resources used during this event, please click DOWNLOAD above Recording coming soon! Event Description Change is a constant in the work setting – developing new services, adapting to new requirements, responding to environmental issues like COVID, and conducting ongoing program improvement all create pressures to adapt. In this training, you will learn how to prepare yourself and your team for change. We’ll also talk about attitudes towards change, leadership qualities that facilitate change, crucial needs for effective transformation, strategic planning, and tools to support the change processes.    Ms. Gina Brimner and Mr. Robert Dare led this seminar. Ms. Brimner and Mr. Dare have extensive leadership experience in their respective fields, Behavioral Health, and the United States military.  They have facilitated the Mountain Plains MHTTC Leadership Academy for the past two years. Trainers Gina Brimner Robert Dare

  Learning Objectives: Discuss equity versus equality and how it is changing organizations Discuss advocacy in workplace culture and what organizations need to consider Discuss restorative justice and how it fits into workplace culture   Description:  Current political environment around equity and inclusion in the workplace has made it challenging for practitioners to provide effective evidence-based practices towards prevention, treatment, and recovery.  Behavioral health practitioners are required now more than ever to pay closer attention to these challenges in the workplace.  Join us for a discussion around increasing awareness, effectively navigating challenges, and moving towards action.   Equity versus equality  Treatment courts  Advocacy for those harmed   Restorative Justice    Presented by: Shawn Sorrell currently serves as the Hennepin County Diversity Equity and Inclusion Department manager and Race Equity Advisory Council strategic liaison.  His prior Hennepin County service was as the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation Diversity and Equal Justice Unit Manager, former Lead Safety trainer and prior position as a Senior Human Resources Representative. HueLife consultant, providing training, professional development and other facilitation services to communities and organizations. His experiences includes consultation and collaboration with public and private entities to design and implement organizational change strategies and training programs. Current responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing county-wide strategic initiatives, develop and track metrics of progress of change and research best practices, benchmarks, and tools for summary reports and recommendations. He’s a Certified Technology of Participation Methods (ToPs) Facilitator/Trainer and Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator. His community and non-profit board participation consists of Avenues for Youth Board of Directors Vice-President, Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) Board of Directors member, Woodbury YMCA community board chair, Woodbury Public Safety Multicultural Advisory Committee member, Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council member, Metro Urban Indian Directors Public Safety committee member, 4th District Courts Equal Justice Committee member and Nexus Community Partners Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) 2020-2021 Fellow.   Learn more about the series: Leadership Institute Community of Practice    

This podcast was produced as part of promotions for the upcoming webinar, Community of Practice: Equity and Inclusion in Behavioral Health Work hosted by Shawn Sorrell.   Webinar description:  Current political environment around equity and inclusion in the workplace has made it challenging for practitioners to provide effective evidence-based practices towards prevention, treatment, and recovery.  Behavioral health practitioners are required now more than ever to pay closer attention to these challenges in the workplace.  Join us for a discussion around increasing awareness, effectively navigating challenges, and moving towards action.   Equity versus equality  Treatment courts  Advocacy for those harmed   Restorative Justice    About Shawn: Shawn Sorrell currently serves as the Hennepin County Diversity Equity and Inclusion Department manager and Race Equity Advisory Council strategic liaison.  His prior Hennepin County service was as the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation Diversity and Equal Justice Unit Manager, former Lead Safety trainer and prior position as a Senior Human Resources Representative. HueLife consultant, providing training, professional development and other facilitation services to communities and organizations. His experiences includes consultation and collaboration with public and private entities to design and implement organizational change strategies and training programs. Current responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing county-wide strategic initiatives, develop and track metrics of progress of change and research best practices, benchmarks, and tools for summary reports and recommendations. He’s a Certified Technology of Participation Methods (ToPs) Facilitator/Trainer and Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator. HIs community and non-profit board participation consists of Avenues for Youth Board of Directors Vice-President, Volunteer Lawyers Network (VLN) Board of Directors member, Woodbury YMCA community board chair, Woodbury Public Safety Multicultural Advisory Committee member, Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council member, Metro Urban Indian Directors Public Safety committee member, 4th District Courts Equal Justice Committee member and Nexus Community Partners Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) 2020-2021 Fellow.   Learn more about the Leadership Institute Community of Practice                       

About this Resource:  Staff turnover has long been a problem in the mental health field and can be costly for organizations, mental health workers, and the clients they serve. While we know a great deal about why people leave, less is known about why mental health workers stay.  Dr. Michelle Salyers shares current research based on interviewing people who have remained in their jobs for at least 14 years to understand why they stayed, even during trying times. She discusses how turnover and retention may have different predictors and identifies factors that support long term retention. For additional information, click here to view our accompanying Why People Stay infographic.    

The pandemic has permanently changed how we think about work. As the U.S. enters year three of working through the pandemic, people are channeling their internal reflections and shaping them into a new way of working and trying to find meaning in work and the companies that they work for. Join us for a discussion about how capitalism is evolving, why companies must do more social and environmental good and how you can recruit and retain top talent in an ever changing job market.   Learning Objectives: Discuss Social Impact and how it is changing business Discuss changes in workplace culture and what businesses need to do to adapt List various remote learning trends and how they fit into workplace culture   Presented by:  Jonathan Liebert CEO and Cofounder of the National Institute for Social Impact (NI4SI) and CEO/Executive Director of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado Jonathan is a Social Entrepreneur and a Colorado Springs native. He is a recognized Leader by the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute (CSLI, class of 2017), and a Rising Star Award recipient from the Colorado Springs Business Journal. Jonathan is a champion for Social Impact, small businesses, and Trust in the marketplace. Jonathan is the Chair and Chief Architect of the new, international BBB Trustmark Program, titled BBB4Good. This new program verifies Higher-Purpose businesses and will be the first new Trustmark from BBB in more than 20 years. Jonathan is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. In partnership with UCCS, he has created the curriculum for the first course for Social Entrepreneurship in the School of Business. Jonathan is currently expanding the National Institute for Social Impact outside Colorado. This organization is key to Accelerating the evolution of Business by providing tools and training designed to enhance and organize the emerging Fourth Sector of the economy and leveraging entrepreneurial strategies that solve social and environmental issues across the globe. Jonathan currently serves on the National Board for the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Business Advisory Committee for the Colorado Secretary of State, the Colorado Nonprofit Association, and is a CiviCO Colorado Governors Fellow of 2022. Jonathan has a Masters in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Colorado Health and Sciences Center.   Learn more about the Leadership Institute Community of Practice.                  

This is a recording of the Session 2 panel in the Rising Practices & Policies in the Workforce series, entitled, “Mitigating Distress and Maximizing Supports for Refugees from War.”  The panel discussion brought together speakers from across our region and the nation who have lived experience with the impact of war. These mental health and school mental health providers share strategies for working with individuals who have survived wars and navigated the ensuing primary, secondary, and vicarious traumas that resulted from this experience. The virtual panel sought to address this aspect of the recent war in Ukraine, and how it heightens the need for mental health and school mental health systems, services, and supportive providers to grow collective knowledge and skills in responding sensitively to clients and students who are refugees from current and previous wars. View the recording and hear presentations and a Q&A featuring four leaders in the school and mental health workforce: Natasha Bogopolskaya, Jose Patiño, Stephanie Noriega and Dr. Sharon A. Hoover."

This podcast was produced as part of promotions for the upcoming webinar Communities of Practice in Leadership: Workforce Innovations - Social Impact and Remote Working hosted by Jonathan Liebert.    Webinar description:  The pandemic has permanently changed how we think about work. As the U.S. enters year three of working through the pandemic, people are channeling their internal reflections and shaping them into a new way of working and trying to find meaning in work and the companies that they work for. Join us for a discussion about how capitalism is evolving, why companies must do more social and environmental good and how you can recruit and retain top talent in an ever changing job market.    About Jonathan:  Jonathan Liebert CEO and Cofounder of the National Institute for Social Impact (NI4SI) and CEO/Executive Director of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado Jonathan is a Social Entrepreneur and a Colorado Springs native. He is a recognized Leader by the Colorado Springs Leadership Institute (CSLI, class of 2017), and a Rising Star Award recipient from the Colorado Springs Business Journal. Jonathan is a champion for Social Impact, small businesses, and Trust in the marketplace. Jonathan is the Chair and Chief Architect of the new, international BBB Trustmark Program, titled BBB4Good. This new program verifies Higher-Purpose businesses and will be the first new Trustmark from BBB in more than 20 years. Jonathan is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. In partnership with UCCS, he has created the curriculum for the first course for Social Entrepreneurship in the School of Business. Jonathan is currently expanding the National Institute for Social Impact outside Colorado. This organization is key to Accelerating the evolution of Business by providing tools and training designed to enhance and organize the emerging Fourth Sector of the economy and leveraging entrepreneurial strategies that solve social and environmental issues across the globe. Jonathan currently serves on the National Board for the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, Business Advisory Committee for the Colorado Secretary of State, the Colorado Nonprofit Association, and is a CiviCO Colorado Governors Fellow of 2022. Jonathan has a Masters in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Colorado Health and Sciences Center.   Learn more about the Leadership Institute Community of Practice.                       

About this Resource: Region IV is the largest HHS region, comprised of eight states and approximately one-quarter 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 a variety of mental health outcomes.  These factors are important considerations when planning mental health care and support services; however, understanding the interplay of these influences can be challenging.  The Southeast MHTTC Data Visualization Project demonstrates the potential ways these factors intersect as well as areas where measures could be taken to remove barriers and improve mental health. Many counties in Region IV are doubly disadvantaged with a high degree of mental health burden co-exiting with mental health provider shortages. These counties should be a high priority in efforts to expand the mental health workforce in the Southeast.    Potential Impact of Workforce Shortages on Mental Health Care Relevant Factors: Availability of mental health professionals and mental health outcomes (i.e., rates of suicide, mental health distress). How to Use: Click on "VIEW RESOURCE" above to access our interactive map and visualize the intersection of these factors.    

  View the webinar.    Description:  Join us to learn how state legislatures can create and implement policy solutions to positively impact the behavioral health workforce. This webinar will describe how to leverage policy solutions to recruit, train, and retain the behavioral health workforce, as exemplified by the creation of BHECN in the Nebraska state legislature in 2009. Information will be shared on how legislative bills have supported student internships across Nebraska, including correctional facility settings. In addition, we will explore how annual policy forums amongst numerous policy stakeholders can make a difference in the legislative process.   Learning Objectives: Describe how a state legislature can be a partner in addressing behavioral health workforce shortages.  Discuss how policy solutions can help leverage training opportunities for behavioral health students. Describe how to engage legislators and other behavioral health stakeholders to create and implement behavioral health workforce policy solutions.   Speaker:   Erin Schneider, MSW Erin Schneider joined BHECN in June of 2020, as the new Outreach Coordinator. Erin will be working with the leadership team to evaluate, develop, and promote BHECN's outreach plan to the behavioral health workforce. Erin has 12 years of experience in social work and behavioral health, a bachelor of science degree in Psychology from Drake University, and a master's degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. Erin's combined experience in workforce development and behavioral health is an excellent fit for the BHECN outreach coordinator position.   

View the slide deck.    Description:  Join us to learn how state legislatures can create and implement policy solutions to positively impact the behavioral health workforce. This webinar will describe how to leverage policy solutions to recruit, train, and retain the behavioral health workforce, as exemplified by the creation of BHECN in the Nebraska state legislature in 2009. Information will be shared on how legislative bills have supported student internships across Nebraska, including correctional facility settings. In addition, we will explore how annual policy forums amongst numerous policy stakeholders can make a difference in the legislative process.   Learning Objectives: Describe how a state legislature can be a partner in addressing behavioral health workforce shortages.  Discuss how policy solutions can help leverage training opportunities for behavioral health students. Describe how to engage legislators and other behavioral health stakeholders to create and implement behavioral health workforce policy solutions.   Speaker:   Erin Schneider, MSW Erin Schneider joined BHECN in June of 2020, as the new Outreach Coordinator. Erin will be working with the leadership team to evaluate, develop, and promote BHECN's outreach plan to the behavioral health workforce. Erin has 12 years of experience in social work and behavioral health, a bachelor of science degree in Psychology from Drake University, and a master's degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. Erin's combined experience in workforce development and behavioral health is an excellent fit for the BHECN outreach coordinator position. 

Watch the webinar.    Description:  Join us to learn how to overcome the unique challenges of rural practice and how to address these obstacles utilizing satellite locations based on BHECN's programming within rural Nebraska.   Learning Objectives: Identify 3 factors that complicate rural practice. Compare resources in urban and rural areas within your state. Describe one unique program to address rural workforce obstacles.   Speaker:   Catherine Jones-Hazledine, PhD Dr. Jones-Hazledine has been collaborating with BHECN for several years on projects in the Nebraska Panhandle, such as FARM CAMP and the Rural Provider Support Network. She formally joined the BHECN ranks in 2018. Her other roles currently include Supervising Psychologist/Owner at Western Nebraska Behavioral Health (WNBH) Clinics (with integrated care sites around the Sandhills and Panhandle of Nebraska), adjunct faculty with Chadron State College, and the Munroe-Meyer Institute, and training and supervising early career clinicians in rural mental health. Before starting WNBH in 2011, Dr. Cate served as an Assistant Professor with the Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC for seven years. Dr. Cate’s training includes a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Chicago, an M.A. in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.    

View the presentation.    Description:  Join us to learn how to overcome the unique challenges of rural practice and how to address these obstacles utilizing satellite locations based on BHECN's programming within rural Nebraska.   Learning Objectives: Identify 3 factors that complicate rural practice. Compare resources in urban and rural areas within your state. Describe one unique program to address rural workforce obstacles.   Speaker:   Catherine Jones-Hazledine, PhD Dr. Jones-Hazledine has been collaborating with BHECN for several years on projects in the Nebraska Panhandle, such as FARM CAMP and the Rural Provider Support Network. She formally joined the BHECN ranks in 2018. Her other roles currently include Supervising Psychologist/Owner at Western Nebraska Behavioral Health (WNBH) Clinics (with integrated care sites around the Sandhills and Panhandle of Nebraska), adjunct faculty with Chadron State College, and the Munroe-Meyer Institute, and training and supervising early career clinicians in rural mental health. Before starting WNBH in 2011, Dr. Cate served as an Assistant Professor with the Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC for seven years. Dr. Cate’s training includes a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Chicago, an M.A. in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago, and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.    

This is a recording of the Session 1 panel discussion in the Rising Practices & Policies in the Workforce series, that took place on May 9, 2022. The panel discussion looked at how school and mental health leaders from our region are preparing their workforce for the launch of 988, the new National Suicide Prevention Hotline. On July 16, 2022, a three-digit, national mental health crisis hotline (mandated by the federal government in October 2020) is scheduled to launch nationwide. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. The expansion of the current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program to effectively triage, respond, and stabilize individuals experiencing a mental health crisis will require significant workforce expansion and training. This session invited regional 988 implementers to share opportunities and challenges during this transition.   In this session, panelists explored: What is 988, and what might it mean for our region? What are some promising and cautionary elements of this rising practice? How might our workforce successfully transition from the Suicide Prevention Lifeline model to the 988 model? How might we engage meaningful partnerships in this transition? What challenges do we foresee at the workforce level, and what training, resources, or other support would help resolve these challenges? What might be some rising practices, policies, and successful strategies for 988 adoption and integration?   Click here to download a PDF of the panel presentation.