Products and Resources Catalog

September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Find resources to help build your capacity to support Latinx mental health.

September 13, 2019 The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, in partnership with the University of North Dakota Department of Occupational Therapy, hosted a half-day training symposium on suicide prevention for students and faculty of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The training opened with a presentation of commonly used suicide assessment tools, how to have a conversation with patients regarding suicidal thoughts, and best practices for using a multi-disciplinary approach to supporting patients with active suicidal thoughts. A moderated panel discussion on suicide prevention with special populations followed. Slide deck Recording

Correcting Behaviors: Trauma-Informed Care and Practices Webinar Series This session was part three in a three-part webinar series on Trauma-Informed Care and Practices. In this session, participants learned more about sensory strategies. Dr. Tami DeCoteau, a national expert on trauma-informed care, offered insight to providers and educators interested in gaining a deeper understanding of trauma, including content on historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences. The science of trauma-informed care compels us to look more deeply into the human physiological process and understand how DNA provides evidence of intergenerational trauma. Recent research has shown that emotional trauma often affects the human nervous system long-term. Study of epigenetic DNA demonstrates that the substance use disorder need for self-regulation via alcohol or drugs is actually a physiological process and not a moral choice. Recording   Trauma-Informed Care and Practices Webinar Series Session one: Regulatory Strategies Session two: Sensory Strategies 

This webinar focused on available and easily accessible tools, resources, and programming for suicide prevention in schools. From screening tools to safety planning, classroom programs to mobile apps, there are a many resources out there to help you and your students foster a community committed to suicide prevention. Some highlighted programs include QPR, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The Jason Foundation, and more. Presenter: Tandra Rutledge, MA, certified suicide prevention gatekeeper trainer for the QPR Institute Webinar Slides: Suicide Prevention in Schools Part 2: Tools, Resources, and Programming Transcript: Suicide Prevention in Schools Part 2: Tools, Resources, and Programming

SOS educates teens on warning signs of depression and suicide and teaches them how to support themselves or a friend using ACT: Acknowledge, Care and Tell. SOS includes a vital screening component in order to help school student services staff identify at-risk youth and link them to needed services Presenter: Jodie Segal, MSW, Director of Education at Elyssa's Mission. Elyssa's Mission funds and implements the SOS program in high schools throughout Illinois.  Webinar Slides: Suicide Prevention in Schools Part 3 Transcript: Suicide Prevention in Schools Part 3 

A webcast event hosted by the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (a SAMHSA-funded initiative) at the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health.

On August 15th, Center for Educational Improvement (CEI) in collaboration with New England MHTTC, held an interview-style webinar session with Dr. Yvette Jackson. She discussed how mindfulness practices, high expectations, and positivity can enhance the compassion and understanding needed to begin to heal the racial divide. This interview-style session was led by the Center for Educational Improvement’s Associate Director of Heart Centered Learning Dr. Michele Rivers Murphy. To download the slides, click here. 

Sensory Strategies: Trauma-Informed Care and Practices Webinar Series This session was part two in a three-part webinar series on Trauma-Informed Care and Practices. In this session, participants learned more about sensory strategies. Dr. Tami DeCoteau, a national expert on trauma-informed care, offered insight to providers and educators interested in gaining a deeper understanding of trauma, including content on historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences. The science of trauma-informed care compels us to look more deeply into the human physiological process and understand how DNA provides evidence of intergenerational trauma. Recent research has shown that emotional trauma often affects the human nervous system long-term. Study of epigenetic DNA demonstrates that the substance use disorder need for self-regulation via alcohol or drugs is actually a physiological process and not a moral choice. Recording   Trauma-Informed Care and Practices Webinar Series Session one: Regulatory Strategies Session three: Correcting Behaviors

In this newsletter, you'll find useful resources for our region, as well as news about suicide prevention policies at the national level.

Prepared by Pamela Vona, MA, MPH, USC; Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, Treatment and Services Adaptation Center for Resilience, Hope and Wellness in Schools, and University of Washington School Mental Health Assessment, Research & Training (SMART) Center In the United States, children and adolescents are exposed to violence and other traumatic events at alarming rates. Numerous studies have documented the short-and long-term consequences of exposure to violence and other traumatic events on children and adolescents. Despite these negative consequences, few children and adolescents receive appropriate care. This is particularly true for low-income, ethnic-minority youth. Schools have been shown to reduce barriers to mental health care. Given the high rates of trauma exposure and the central role schools can play enhancing access to care, it’s essential that school-based counselors and mental health providers receive training in evidence-based trauma interventions. This Practice Brief describes three of the most commonly used effective school-based interventions for trauma and the importance of creating a “trauma-informed” school community in order to optimize these interventions. Want more information and school mental health resources? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's School Mental Health page and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

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 provides an introduction to Interconnected Systems Framework, including a definition and a review of the benefits.  

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).  

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 how to use school and community data to determine what interventions to select and implement to meet the diverse needs of all students.  

Participants will become familiar with the history, strengths, and challenges related to gender diversity in the behavioral health field, gain an understanding of the research addressing disparities in behavioral health care regarding gender diverse individuals, and focus on improving services for gender diverse individuals. Gender diverse refers to those who vary in gender identity or expression based on the wide spectrum of gender that exists outside of the rigid gender binaries of male and female.  Review key aspects from Part 1 Highlight how a sense of community may lead to increase resilience Explore different aspects of gender affirming services Identify the WPATH and many additional resources to help support behavioral healthcare services for gender diverse individuals Illustrate and apply the Indivisible Self – Wellness model to the case of Gabriel   View session recording Article with referenced case study   Dr. Anthony Zazzarino, PhD, LPC, ACS, CPRP is a full-time faculty member at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. He currently provides instruction for professional education courses for New Jersey’s Supported Housing agencies implementing Community Support Services (CSS), the Master’s program in Rehabilitation Counseling, and the Doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Zazzarino is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP). He completed his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University where he focused on improving the lives of sexual minorities with serious mental illnesses and enhancing individual’s knowledge of multicultural competence. Dr. Zazzarino is actively presenting at local, state, and national conferences related to psychiatric rehabilitation methods, counseling services, and supervision practices. In addition to his work at Rutgers, Dr. Zazzarino is a suicide prevention trainer for the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, facilitates group therapy for adolescents and adults at an intensive outpatient program, provides outpatient counseling services at his private practice, and provides clinical supervision for counselors who need supervised clinical hours in New Jersey.

Regulatory Strategies: Trauma-Informed Care and Practices Webinar Series This session was part one in a three-part webinar series on Trauma-Informed Care and Practices. In this session, participants learned more about regulatory strategies.   Dr. Tami DeCoteau, a national expert on trauma-informed care, offered insight to providers and educators interested in gaining a deeper understanding of trauma, including content on historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences. The science of trauma-informed care compels us to look more deeply into the human physiological process and understand how DNA provides evidence of intergenerational trauma. Recent research has shown that emotional trauma often affects the human nervous system long-term. Study of epigenetic DNA demonstrates that the substance use disorder need for self-regulation via alcohol or drugs is actually a physiological process and not a moral choice. Recording   Trauma-Informed Care and Practices Webinar Series Session two: Sensory Strategies Session three: Correcting Behaviors

Participants will become familiar with the history, strengths, and challenges related to gender diversity in the behavioral health field, gain an understanding of the research addressing disparities in behavioral health care regarding gender-diverse individuals, and focus on improving services for gender-diverse individuals. Gender diversity refers to those who vary in gender identity or expression based on the wide spectrum of gender that exists outside of the rigid gender binaries of male and female.  Describe the many facets of gender. Define key terms associated with gender-diverse individuals. Illustrate the importance of using specific gender pronouns. Highlight health disparities that impact the lives of gender-diverse individuals. Apply the Minority Stress Model to working with gender-diverse individuals.   View session recording   Dr. Anthony Zazzarino, PhD, LPC, ACS, CPRP is a full-time faculty member at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. He currently provides instruction for professional education courses for New Jersey’s Supported Housing agencies implementing Community Support Services (CSS), the Master’s program in Rehabilitation Counseling, and the Doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Zazzarino is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP). He completed his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University where he focused on improving the lives of sexual minorities with serious mental illnesses and enhancing individual’s knowledge of multicultural competence. Dr. Zazzarino is actively presenting at local, state, and national conferences related to psychiatric rehabilitation methods, counseling services, and supervision practices. In addition to his work at Rutgers, Dr. Zazzarino is a suicide prevention trainer for the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, facilitates group therapy for adolescents and adults at an intensive outpatient program, provides outpatient counseling services at his private practice, and provides clinical supervision for counselors who need supervised clinical hours in New Jersey. 

On July 31st, we held a webinar on "Affirming Gender Identity in Clinical Practice". Megan Graham discussed the distinction between sex and gender, and provided a better understanding of the range of gender identities that exist. She also reviewed strategies for providing an open and affirming stance for clients and families to talk about their gender identity, and to help clients to advocate for their needs.

On July 25th, Dana Asby shared some mindfulness habits that can be modeled and cultivated in students. The webinar focused on the benefits of intentionally adopting mindful habits as a school/classroom community with a focus on early childhood settings. To download the slides, click here.  Presenter(s): Dana Asby, M.A., M.Ed., CEI Director, Innovation and Research Support

This month, we are excited to share the MHTTC National School Mental Health Curriculum. If you're interested in bringing the curriculum to your schools, we have a regional School Mental Health Learning Collaborative to support you. July is Minority Mental Health Month. We've created a new resource compendium on evaluating community-defined evidence practices that work for diverse communities.  We also highlight a new framework to advance equity for students of color.

Free Self-Paced Continuing Education 6 contact hours This opportunity is for school personnel including: administrators, principals, occupational therapists, school counselors, teachers, school psychologists, speech therapists, special education teachers, para-educators, parents, cafeteria and recess supervisors, etc. The purpose of this course is to build capacity of frontline interdisciplinary personnel to address the mental health needs of children and youth in schools by embedding strategies throughout the day using a multi-tiered approach. Participants will learn how to implement Every Moment Counts model programs and embedded strategies. Emphasis is on knowledge translation and implementation of evidence-based mental health promotion and prevention strategies within a Community of Practice (CoP). Individuals can take the course and will be prepared to implement their own CoP if they choose. The course includes the following learning materials that CoPs can use to guide this capacity building initiative (all materials are free and downloadable): 5 taped webinars Facilitation and Discussion Guides Readings and resources   Expected Outcomes By learning together, interdisciplinary teams can reflect on their school's strengths and needs and plan how to implement model programs and strategies focusing on mental health promotion and prevention.   Register Please go to http://healtheknowledge.org/course/index.php?categoryid=90#MP-MHTTC-EMC-SelfPaced to register and complete the course. To register, click on the “Register Now and Begin Course” button at the bottom of the course description box. Follow the prompts to login or create your account and register for the course. You will be able to begin the course immediately.

Young adults of transition age have elevated rates of mental health challenges, yet they often do not receive services, and few interventions have been designed or found effective for this population. This puts young adults of transition age at greater risk for homelessness, justice involvement, and education and employment challenges. These challenges are even more acute for youth from vulnerable populations. This webinar focuses on strategic practices that health departments and mental health agencies can take to begin eliminating health disparities by advancing mental health equity. Presented by Kristin Thorp and Lydia Proulx, Youth MOVE National. Learning Objectives: Understand the link between health disparities and mental health equity. Gain knowledge about the unique mental health equity challenges facing young adults of transition age. Learn practical strategies for advancing mental health equity for youth and young adults.    

Youth peer support is a growing field in many mental health and child-serving systems, yet many agencies are new to supervising and supporting these roles. This line of work can often be taxing for its young employees, and self-care is just as important to supervision as job performance. This webinar presents specific strategies supervisors can use to promote self-care among their youth peer staff while ensuring accountability to their job duties.  

Youth peer support is an emerging and innovative role within mental health that is seen as valuable for young adults who are system involved. While many agencies want to employ or do employ youth peer support specialists, there are many questions and challenges regarding how to best support this role. In this webinar we will clarify the responsibilities and boundaries of the youth peer support role and offer tips on how to support this role and these employees within your agency.

Texas schools have never been more interested in supporting students’ mental health. Community mental health centers are a critical partner for schools seeking to provide comprehensive school mental health; however, creating healthy partnerships can be challenging. Join us in the third webinar in the series to hear from two school leaders about the culture of the school campus. Understand what makes school systems unique, the roles of different school administrators, and who is critical to engage in partnership. These two Texas school leaders will share what is important to them in a community partner and what outcomes they hope to see from a collaboration with a community mental health provider.