Products and Resources Catalog

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 September 2023 issue promotes National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, National Recovery Month, and National Hispanic Heritage Month. This issue also 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. 

This comprehensive guide is designed to support BIPOC employees, allies, and leadership in fostering a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment. By recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by People of Color, promoting allyship, and empowering leadership, we can create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to thrive.   This guide provides practical strategies, exercises, and resources to enhance well-being and promote equity within your organization. View a series of webinars for guidance and support for the use and implementation of the guide: Day 1 recording Day 2 recording Day 3 recording

Participants learned how to:  Describe how both positive and negative attentional biases may contribute to suicide risk  Describe the Broaden and Build theory of positive emotions  Describe specific strategies to increase one's attention to positive emotions and experiences   Presenter: Shirley Yen, PhD, Associate Professor, Psychology, Harvard Medical School This hybrid event was co-hosted by Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet.

The language of the written word is too limiting for efforts to communicate mental health awareness. Image and sound, which have been used to communicate and teach since ancient times, are much more powerful. Film and other audiovisual media are important ways to promote mental health and reduce stigma and can help enhance emotional and intellectual harmony. Presenter: Mohan Agashe, MD   View a recording of this 8/25/23 session here. 

A joint project of the National Federation of Families, National Family Support Technical Assistance Center, and the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, this tip sheet provides vetted resources and links for school, family, and community leaders to address school culture and climate. Access this publication for tips on what families, parents, caregivers, individual educators, family peer specialists, and mental health providers can do to address the young person engaging in bullying behavior while school and family leaders address school culture and climate and support the child being bullied.

At the New England MHTTC, we believe that agencies and organizations can benefit from applying a racial equity lens to their structure and activities. “A racial equity lens is a set of questions we ask ourselves when we are planning, developing or evaluating a policy, program or decision. It helps us assess if we are taking in the perspectives of the racially diverse people and communities we intend to serve, and whether our policies and programs are resulting in equitable or inequitable outcomes. An equity lens helps us see where challenges and opportunities exist, so that we can make intentional steps to ensure more equitable outcomes for all individuals and communities.” Asking meaningful questions is key. In order to compile the questions for consideration below, the TTC Network conducted a review of approximately 50 organizational and community assessment tools and resources available from the website, Racial Equity Tools. We pulled and synthesized questions from these materials, as well as direct resources from the New England MHTTC, to determine questions most applicable for our work. By providing this resource, we are not signifying that this is a complete list of questions to consider in order to achieve racial equity. We aim to spur thinking and action among the agencies, organizations, and collaborators in our community and we acknowledge that this is just one step in a longer, more integrated and comprehensive process.

Compassionate Listening is... A personal practice – to cultivate inner strength, self awareness, self regulation and wisdom. A skill set – to enhance interpersonal relations and navigate challenging conversation. A process – to bring individuals or groups together to bridge their differences and transform conflict A healing gift – to offer a compassionate listening session to a person who feels marginalized or in pain.   These principles, adapted with permission from the Compassionate Listening Project,, guide the engagements of the New England MHTTC's Racial Equity and Advancing Cultural Humility (REACH) for Organizational Change Learning Collaborative. We encourage you to use these principles as you engage in frank and honest conversations in the workplace. The principles are designed to keep the dialogue grounded so that you can focus your energy on cultivating compassion and respect for others; serving as a witness to another's truth; and listening and speaking from the heart.  

Issues stemming from race and other cultural matters are broad and varied. Individuals and organizations will find that they are quite knowledgeable and proficient in some aspects of cultural competence, and yet, may neglect asking crucial questions in another area. For instance, we may be acutely aware of making focus group (or other) accommodations for the hearing impaired community, but may not have a cache of options to make public health programs accessible to non-native English speakers. When you begin to consider your approach to engagement with diverse communities, you can gauge how and why mainstream strategies have a lower effectiveness and work from a more culturally responsive foundation. Ultimately, the more your work stems from relevant aspects of racial and cultural identity, the greater your chances for effective outcomes and increased, sustainable engagement from a broader, more diverse community. In assessing your agency/organization's capacity for cultural responsiveness, it is useful to have a tool that is focused on core ways to interpret the wide range of behaviors and attitudes that are expressed in the policies and practices of an organization. Our Process of Gaining Cultural Competence represents a continuum into which we can place behaviors, attitudes, policies, and practices. This is intended to be a dynamic tool, since there is always room for growth and development in individuals, organizations, and institutionalized policies and practices.

This social media toolkit includes six posts that each debunk a different myth around suicide. Feel free to share on your own networks!

Despite impacting tens of thousands of people each year, there are still many misconceptions surrounding suicide. It is of utmost importance that we begin to breakdown these misunderstandings by providing up-to-date information and education. The South Southwest MHTTC has put together four posts for social media that offer a unique "fast fact." Please feel free to share these posts across your social networks.

This 5-hour, self-paced course is the STRIDE Group Facilitator Training, a follow up to the popular Empowering Wellness in Mental Health: Helping People with their Lifestyle Changes, which outlines the principles and evidence behind the STRIDE Program, developed by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. What makes this course unique is that it was developed specifically for people living with mental illness, taking anti-psychotic medications to help reduce the cardiovascular risks often experienced by this population. Learn with the developers of the STRIDE Program to explore and understand the Group program curriculum. This online course was created by the Northwest Region 10 Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).    Certificate of Completion/Contact Hours Available  Physicians, physician assistants, primary care ARNPs, psychologists, and other health care providers may be eligible for CME or CEUs for completing the course. Retain your Certificate of Completion and verify its suitability for CME/CEUS with your licensing/credentialing entity.  The University of Washington is an approved provider of continuing education for DOH licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, psychologists, chemical dependency professionals, nurses and physicians under the provisions of: WAC 246-809-610, WAC 246-809-620,WAC 246-811-200, WAC 246-840-210, WAC 246-919-460 and WAC 246-924-240. Registration and Technical Support How to register for a course at HealtheKnowledge and how to get technical support This online course was created by the Northwest Region 10 Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Want more information? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's Resource Library and Websites by Topic  and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

Asking a loved one about suicide is never an easy conversation. However, the act of talking about suicide can save a life and provide an opportunity for a struggling friend or family member to share their feelings and get support. We have put together a brief guide to facilitate a conversation with someone about suicide and compiled some useful resources. We hope that you feel empowered to check in on your loved ones and to share this resource with others this Suicide Prevention month.

In furthering our efforts to meet people where they are and foster healthy practices in adolescents and youth, the Great Lakes MHTTC and Wisconsin PATCH (Providers and Teens Communicating for Health) asked teens to describe the best ways adults can partner with youth and what motivates young people to get involved with organizations like PATCH. The responses featured in this resource were provided by teenage participants of the PATCH Teen Educators program.    This product was created with our valued partners at Wisconsin PATCH.  

  Internal Family Systems (IFS, sometimes nicknamed "Parts Work") is an evidence-based model of psychotherapy that acknowledges that the mind naturally contains multiple parts with different purposes, needs, and stories. When our inner parts feel safe and have their concerns addressed, our core self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole. Today, IFS has a legacy of effectiveness in the treatment of trauma and in addressing a variety of mental health concerns. This guide was created by WAFCA with funding from the Great Lakes MHTTC and is based on material presented by Dr. Frank Anderson on March 23, 2023 for WAFCA-CE.   WAFCA serves as the Wisconsin partner for the Great Lakes MHTTC. 

Counselors have the privilege of working with individuals and families from various backgrounds; intersecting identities; and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. Deliberately incorporating culturally responsive care in mental health settings can help ensure that individuals have access to treatment that meets their needs. This guide was created by WAFCA with funding from the Great Lakes MHTTC and is based on material presented by Dr. Patricia Arredondo on February 17, 2022, for WAFCA-CE. WAFCA serves as the Wisconsin partner for the Great Lakes MHTTC. 

Understanding the essential pieces to effective treatment is beneficial for new and seasoned counselors alike. In each session and with each client, mental health providers work to do many things at once: build rapport, practice active listening, navigate triggers and distractions for themselves and clients, create an environment of safety, provide support and regulation, monitor time, and more. This guide was created by WAFCA with funding from the Great Lakes MHTTC and is based on material presented by Kelli Underwood on June 8, 2023, for WAFCA-CE. WAFCA serves as the Wisconsin partner for the Great Lakes MHTTC. 

The one-hour Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance virtual series provides an opportunity for participants to: Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health, and Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens The concept of Native psychological brilliance will be celebrated through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series.   July's topic was "Native Crisis Response: Tribal 988 Successes and Challenges."   Watch a recording of this 7/25/23 session here. 

This three-hour webinar deep dives into the core competencies previously drafted and shared during the Competencies for Peer Support Workers in Crisis Services webinar hosted in March 2023. The co-facilitators – including a youth peer with recent experience working in the field in a crisis setting - explore each competency and allow participants to apply the competencies in peer crisis work scenarios. We present detailed information about how each competency is applicable in peer crisis work and then use breakout rooms and case studies to prompt discussion on how to utilize a specific competency.    Participants gain knowledge about the complexities of working as a peer in crisis settings and how to maintain the ethical standards of the peer role; gain a detailed understanding of the 5 Core Competencies and how they were developed by the MHTTC team; develop a practical understanding of how the competencies will show up in their work in crisis settings; and learn about practices and tools that can be used to assist with becoming comfortable and skilled in the competencies.   View a recording of this 7/31/23 session here.  

In collaboration with the Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and its Office of Multicultural Health Equity, the New England MHTTC supported a training and technical assistance activity highlighting the stats and statistics around the state of minority mental health in Connecticut.   While the statistics help to validate that the rates of mental health illness are similar across racial groups, they also conceal a deeper inequity. What you can’t tell from the numbers is how the severity, persistence, contributing factors, and implications for the overall well-being of mental health conditions vary widely across demographic groups. This event aims to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and share strategies that support optimal behavioral health treatment, care, and recovery for minoritized populations.   Featured Speakers Nancy Navarretta, MA, DMHAS Commissioner Charles Dike, FRCPsych, MBChB, MPH, DMHAS Medical Director Karin Haberlin, Behavioral Health Program Manager, DMHAS Jessica Isom, MD, MPH, Keynote Speaker, Vision for Equity, LLC Taylor Bryan Turner, Assistant Regional Director, SAMHSA Region 1   View a recording of this 7/27/23 session here.  

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The August 2023 issue honors International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31), opioid overdose prevention training on HealtheKnowledge, and the newest NIATx in New Places series blog post written by Lynn Madden, PhD, MPA.  And as always, you will find links to all upcoming events and trainings hosted by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC!  

Individuals recovering from a first episode of psychosis are prone to high rates of comorbid medical disorders due to a combination of lifestyle, medication, and self-management factors. This presentation provides practical guidance regarding strategies for promoting a healthier lifestyle and integrated training in mental health and physical illness self-management. Principles of effective supports to improve physical health in persons with FEP, as well as multi-episode clients, are illustrated with clinical vignettes.   Presenter: Kim T. Mueser, Ph.D. is Professor of Occupational Therapy and Psychological and Brain Sciences, researcher at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. His research interests are on the development and evaluation of psychosocial interventions for persons with serious mental illnesses.   This webinar was co-hosted by the Massachusetts Psychosis Network for Early Treatment (MAPNET).   View a recording of this 7/28/23 session here. 

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic decreased both economic well-being and mental health.  Using a survey of a diverse representative sample of Boston residents in the first months of the pandemic, we identified sources of vulnerability and resilience on mental health during the pandemic’s early months. Persons of color, who reported greater economic impact than white residents, reported less decline in mental health, a pattern consistent with prior research on what has been termed the “black-white mental health paradox” and the “Latino health paradox.” Women, younger and more educated persons reported more adverse mental health impact, in part due to changes in social connection. Loneliness and more online activity predicted greater decline in mental health, except when online engagement was with friends and family or was part of a religious community. Our findings help explain mental health effects of the pandemic and can guide planning to lessen adverse mental health effects of future pandemics.   Presenters: Matcheri Keshavan, MD, Russell K. Schutt, PhD, and Dr. B.S. Keshava   View a recording of this 7/21/23 session here. 

The one-hour Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance virtual series provides an opportunity for participants to: Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health, and Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens The concept of Native psychological brilliance will be celebrated through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series.   June's topic was "Healing Family Trauma Connected with Misuse of Drugs and Alcohol."   View a recording of this 6/27/23 session here. 

Ronitia Hodges and Ashley Stewart discuss the importance and benefits of fostering an authentic and inclusive environment in the workplace. This podcast episode is sponsored by the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC).