Products and Resources Catalog

Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) is an evidence-based, recovery-oriented, multidisciplinary treatment program tailored for individuals experiencing Early Psychosis. CSC involves joint treatment planning (or shared decision-making) between the people in treatment and recovery and their care team, which can include mental health providers such as peer specialists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and case managers. CSC can provide individual and family counseling, medication management, case coordination and assistance with educational and career objectives, as well as other services. Learn more in this brief and check out our free online course for more information.

  This presentation provided a brief overview of how harm risk (suicidality and self-injury) can present in young people experiencing early psychosis. We reviewed a selection of psychotherapy strategies that can be helpful in targeting these concerns, highlighting functional analysis, distress tolerance skills, and the CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality). We discussed these strategies in the context of disguised client examples, and encouraged suggestions and case consultation from the audience.   Presenter: Michelle L. West, PhD, Director, Program for Early Assessment, Care, & Study (PEACS), Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado – School of Medicine (CUSOM). Dr. West is a clinical psychologist who specializes in assessment, treatment, and research for young people showing possible early risk for psychotic spectrum illnesses. This webinar was presented in collaboration with the Massachusetts Mental Health Center GrandRounds series.   View a recording of this 2/23/24 session here. 

Job Development is an important component of providing best-practice employment services and includes initiating and developing relationships with employers. However, many vocational services staff express discomfort and limited skills in interacting with the business community. This training will provide attendees with the tools to approach employers and market their employment services confidently.

This 1-hour course provides an overview of both pediatric primary care services and behavioral health services, and makes a case for integration in the pediatric integrated primary care setting. Objectives: Define pediatric primary care including the five components that encompass it according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Explain the elements of the quadruple aim in healthcare Define pediatric behavioral and mental health Describe traditional behavioral/mental healthcare and the challenges with meeting the needs of children and families Describe the role of behavioral health and primary care in addressing overall health for children, adolescents and their families Learn more about HealtheKnowledge here: HealtheKnowledge Courses Authors: Holly Roberts, Ph.D. Nichole Baker, Ph.D. Christian Klepper, PsyD. John Vann, M.D. Brandy Clarke, Ph.D.  

  To view resources from this training, please click DOWNLOAD Click here to watch the recording   Event Description Indigenous Americans are the first victims of Cancel Culture since before the U.S. began and have been misrepresented, objectified, stereotyped, and marginalized ever since. The misrepresentation of Indigenous Americans continues to exist in our school systems, history books, classes, national dialogue, media, and statistics. The result is a direct blow to the positive cultural developmental trajectory of Indigenous youth.  Despite this, Indigenous people survive and many thrive because of the strength, resilience, and responsiveness to change that our ancestors passed down.  We need to teach the current and generations to come, that we cannot doubt ourselves, we come from a legacy of survival that cannot be questioned (bolojko). Learning Objectives Increase knowledge of the strengths and positives of Indigenous youth and communities Identify 5 components of Genocide Explain how cultural identity and suicide prevention are connected. Identify 5 strategies to strengthen resilience and instill hope. Trainer LaVonne Fox Peltier, PhD, OTR/L Dr. LaVonne Fox Peltier, PhD, OTR/L, serves as a Research Assistant Professor within the Bureau of Evaluation & Research Service, situated in the Department of Education, Health, and Behavioral Studies at the University of North Dakota. A member of the Turtle Mountain Chippewa reservation, she remains deeply connected to her roots. Drawing from her extensive background, she has dedicated her expertise to working with children, youth, and young adults facing mental health challenges both in rural and urban areas as well within mental health facilities. Dr. Fox Peltier is particularly passionate about developing culturally rooted interventions inspired by Indigenous practices to address mental health issues. In her work, she emphasizes the importance of adopting strength-based approaches, advocating for alternatives to the commonly employed deficit-based practices. She is committed to bridging cultural understanding and mental health care for Indigenous peoples.

Download the presentation slides here 1 in 36 school-age children are autistic. Autistic students are much more likely than non-autistic students to experience mental health challenges, including difficulty with emotion regulation and anxiety that may be exacerbated by experiences of bullying, victimization, and segregation within schools. There is an urgent need to support the mental and behavioral health of autistic students. The purpose of our two-part webinar office hours series is to provide overviews of how to identify and support anxiety in autistic students and to apply these strategies within case studies. This webinar will center on evidence-based approaches and practices that can be used within schools to help manage anxiety in autistic students. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Describe evidence-based approaches to support anxiety in autistic students. Understand different ways that mental health programming can be delivered to autistic students in schools. Identify strategies that may support an autistic student as illustrated within two case examples.

  To view resources from this training, click DOWNLOAD Click here to watch the recording Event Description This training will focus on addressing behavioral health provider burnout by enhancing the well-being of those on the frontlines of community based mental health care. Participants will develop a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach that considers their self-care needs to continue the delivery of high-quality services. By taking proactive steps to promote holistic well-being and resilience, participants can help to create a healthier and more sustainable work environment for dedicated mental health professionals and those they serve. After this training, participants will learn the following, - Foster a positive and supportive work culture that emphasizes open communication, teamwork, and mutual respect. - Address any systemic issues contributing to burnout, such as inadequate resources, communication problems, or lack of support. - Recognize signs of burnout to acquire appropriate assistance for themselves and others. Trainer Lamarr Lewis Lamarr Lewis, is a dedicated advocate, author, and agent of change. With a focus on community-based mental and public health, he works with diverse groups including individuals living with psychiatric disabilities, people in recovery from substance abuse, and at-hope youth (He does not use the term at-risk). He is an alumnus of Wittenberg University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with minors in Africana Studies and Religion. He later received his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Argosy University. His career spans over twenty years with experience as a therapist, consultant, public speaker, facilitator, trainer, and human service professional. He has been a featured expert for such organizations as; Boeing, Region IV Public Health Training Center, Fulton County Probate Court, Mississippi Department of Health, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and many more. His lifelong mission is to leave the world better than how he found it.

About this Resource: The Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® is a skills-based wellness and prevention program that provides a biological, non-stigmatizing perspective on human reactions to stress and trauma. The primary focus of this stabilization program is to learn to reset the natural balance of the nervous system, using the body itself. CRM skills help people understand their nervous system and learn to track sensations connected to their own wellbeing. This low-intensity intervention teaches easy-to-learn skills to manage difficult emotions which can be brought on by stressful personal or professional situations. In this 1.5 hour on-demand recording, presenters share their knowledge of concepts to understand their own and others' stress responses and the skills to regain emotional balance when buffeted by strong negative emotions.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. To achieve its mission, SAMHSA identifies priority areas to better meet the behavioral health needs of individuals, communities, and service providers.   Through its regional network— designed to improve the delivery of behavioral health services in each of the 10 HHS regions—SAMSHA develops collaborations that emphasize equity, trauma-informed approaches, and recovery. The collaboration between the SAMHSA Region One and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Region One offices, is an example of an intentional outreach effort developed to empower housing professionals with resources, tools, and practices that help them support and enhance the lives of public housing residents.

  The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The February 2024 issue features content from the Great Lakes ATTC celebrating Black History Month, including our upcoming 2024 Black History Month Panel Presentation. It also features a new educational brief on health equity in crisis systems, upcoming prevention trainings on drug trends in the region, and updates to the Classroom WISE curriculum for 2024. As always, you will also find links to all upcoming events and trainings hosted by the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC!   Make sure you're subscribed to our email contact list so you never miss a month of The Great Lakes Current newsletter, and thank you for reading!

  To view resources from this session, click DOWNLOAD Click here to watch the recording Event Description Rural behavioral health practice has unique challenges, two of which are the high provider turnover rate and provider recruitment. Join us to learn how focusing on organizational wellness can bolster both the recruitment and retention of rural behavioral health providers. While this webinar will briefly discuss the reasons for high provider turnover, it will emphasize why workers stay in their jobs. We will then focus on practical suggestions for creating a workplace climate of wellness focused on care, respect, compassion, shared values as well as sustaining such a climate that benefits all healthcare providers and staff alike. Trainers Rachel Navarro, PhD, LP Topaza Yu

Author: Dr. Nicholas Breitborde, Ph. D. Dr. Nicholas Breitborde is Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University and Director of the OSU Early Psychosis Intervention Center (EPICENTER). He serves as a Content Area Expert for the Global Burden of Disease Study and is a member of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Serious Mental Illness/Severe Emotional Disturbances. To date, his research has been cited over 40,000 times and has been funded by agencies such as the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Learn more about this Learning Community: First Episode Psychosis Learning Community

  To view resources from this session, click DOWNLOAD Click here to watch the recording Event Description Approximately 2.7 million youths, aged 3-17 years, meet criteria for a depressive disorder (Bitsko et al., 2022). Yet, most youths and their families struggle to recognize the signs and symptoms of depression and get connected with appropriate services. Schools play a critical role in promoting the well-being and mental health of youths, and provide a natural avenue for identifying, preventing, and treating youth depression. This training will provide resources to school professionals on identifying depression in school-aged youth and provide strategies to address cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms of depression. We will also provide free resources to help in the identification and treatment of depressive disorders. An important emphasis will focus on incorporating cultural beliefs, values, and behaviors into clinical work with diverse youths and their families.   Learning Objectives: 1. Identify signs of depression in school-aged youth 2. Describe ways to assess depression in school-aged youth 3. Describe ways to address depression in school-aged youth 4. Describe ways to culturally adapt depression interventions for ethnic-racial minoritized youth   Trainers Alayna Park, PhD Alayna Park, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon and a licensed psychologist. She is one of the founding faculty of the department’s Diversity Science area, as well as an affiliate faculty of the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health. Her community-engaged research focuses on identifying strategies to improve the quality and effectiveness of mental health services for youth of color, using intervention and implementation science. Dr. Park has more than 30 peer-reviewed publications on the topics of intervention design, cultural adaptation, clinical decision making, and evidence-based psychotherapy implementation. She has received NIH funded fellowships from the Child Intervention, Prevention, and Services (CHIPS) Research Training Institute and the Health Disparities Research Institute (HDRI). In 2022, she co-edited a special issue for The Behavior Therapist on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical training, and she was awarded Reviewer of the Year from the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). Her research has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Diversity Paper Award from the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy. Dr. Park was trained by leaders in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT), and the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children (MATCH). She supervises Clinical Psychology PhD students in the University of Oregon Psychology Clinic and provides expert consultation to mental health professionals across the country.   Alyssa Herman Alyssa Herman (she/her/hers) is a fourth year Clinical Psychology PhD student at the University of Oregon. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a BA in psychology and a minor in Applied Developmental Psychology. She is currently researching strategies to reduce obstacles to accessing mental health services and to improve the distribution of mental health information. Clinically, Alyssa is receiving training to deliver evidence-based therapies to youth across a variety of settings.  

  Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. (2023). Mid-America MHTTC Year 5 Report.    

  Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. (2023). Mid-America MHTTC Year 5 School Mental Health Report.    

Download the presentation slides here 1 in 44 school-age children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autistic students are much more likely than non-autistic students to experience mental health challenges, including difficulty with emotion regulation, anxiety, and depression that may be exacerbated by experiences of bullying, victimization, and segregation within schools. There is an urgent need to support the mental and behavioral health of autistic students. In the past year, the SEMHTTC team has disseminated resources related to identifying and supporting mental health challenges in this population, with a specific emphasis on anxiety here. The purpose of this two-part series is to build on the didactic content covered in our earlier learning sessions (learning session 1, learning session 2) and provide more opportunity to cover a case example, engage in discussion, and have ample time for Q&A. In each sessions, we will provide a very brief overview of the prior content we covered (15 minutes), have an in-depth discussion of one case example (15 minutes), and ample time for questions and open conversation related to the mental health of autistic students (25 minutes). The first learning session is devoted to identifying anxiety and other mental health challenges in autistic students. By the end of the session, participants will be able to: Identify anxiety and signs of other mental health challenges in autistic students. Describe risk factors for autistic students to develop anxiety and other mental health challenges. Identify anxiety signs within one case example of an autistic student.

Recording of the event The Connection Between Quality of Life and Mental Health in the Black Community, originally held on January 18, 2024.   Slide presentation

About this Resource: In the final session of our 'Ready for Re-entry' series, panelists discuss the practical application of the Forensic Peer Mentor service delivery model.

  To view resources from this session, click DOWNLOAD Click here to watch the recording Event Description It is estimated that one in five youth will suffer from some type of mental health disorder by age 18. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders, affecting 31.9% of youth, and is often associated with other mental health concerns like depression and suicide (Merikangas, 2010). There are modular youth treatments that build youth skills to address these concerns. This training will provide resources to mental health and school professionals on identifying anxiety in youth and understanding different symptoms as they relate to typical developmental trajectory. The training will also provide strategies to address worry in youth, especially youth of color, with free resources to help in the identification and treatment of anxiety disorders. An important emphasis will focus on culturally adaptive anxiety and how to best meet youth needs.   Learning Objectives: Identify signs of anxiety in students Understand developmentally appropriate anxiety, stress, and worry symptoms Provide practical tips to assessing and addressing anxiety Distinguish clinical anxiety from worry in youth Address developmental and cultural adaptations to anxiety treatment Trainers Kelsie Okamura Kelsie Okamura (she/her) is an Implementation Researcher at the Baker Center for Children and Families, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, and a licensed psychologist. Dr. Okamura serves on the training, consultation, and distance learning development teams at PracticeWise, LLC. She received her BA in Psychology with Honors and PhD from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Dr. Okamura completed her predoctoral internship at I Ola Lāhui Rural Hawai‘i Behavioral Health and postdoc at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Mental Health. Dr. Okamura was both a NIMH Child Intervention, Prevention and Services (CHIPS) and Training in Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (TIDIRH) fellow; and has more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. She currently serves as Leader for the ABCT Dissemination and Implementation Science Special Interest Group and is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group Member to Implementation Research and Practice. Dr. Okamura is passionate about community-based public-sector service system implementation, particularly (a) knowledge formation, (b) quality improvement initiatives that bridge team-based technology, and (c) financial strategies to improve implementation. She is currently funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Co-PI, System of Care Expansion Award), and has received funding through the National Institute for General Medical Services, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and American Psychological Foundation. As a fourth-generation daughter of Japanese and Okinawan immigrants to Hawaiʻi, Dr. Okamura has a deep appreciation of understanding diversity, culture, and contexts as they apply to youth mental health implementation. Growing up in a rural town in Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi has afforded her insight into the complexities of socioeconomic and cultural barriers that may impede successful implementation of youth psychosocial interventions.   Tessa Palafu Tessa Palafu (she/her) is an Implementation Research Assistant at The Baker Center for Children and Families, Implementation Research Division. Tessa grew up in Hawaiʻi and recently graduated from Hawaiʻi Pacific University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science. Throughout her undergraduate career, Tessa was introduced to the world of research by wonderful mentors, like Dr. Kelsie Okamura. Her research interests include understanding Historical Trauma in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) populations and developing culturally grounded approaches to mental health services for NHPI. Tessa has worked on a variety of research projects related to examining the relationship between houselessness, historical trauma, and perceived stress in NHPI youth, understanding predictors of measurement-based care use for clinicians, and looking at barriers and facilitators to implementing a substance use prevention program within a school district. She is excited to continue her work at the Baker Center and support ongoing quality improvement initiatives.

Dr. Gagen reviewed a metacognitive framework for understanding psychosis and discussed a specific psychotherapeutic intervention--Metacognition Reflection and Insight Therapy. We discussed the definition of metacognition and the four main domains that are measured, the relationship between metacognitive capacity and psychological distress, and the research evidence that supports this approach.   Presenter: Emily Gagen, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Brookline Community Mental Health Center. She is the director of the Massachusetts Psychosis Access and Triage Hub (M-PATH) and a member of the team at the Center for Early Detection, Assessment, and Response to Risk (CEDAR). Dr. Gagen has worked with individuals with psychosis and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders for 15 years and specializes in the treatment of young adults with early psychosis.   View a recording of this 1/26/24 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.   January's topic was “Evolution of Native Crisis Response (Part One) - 2024 Update."

About this Resource: In the year 2000, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed at the federal level redefining human trafficking in the United States and initiating new efforts to address human trafficking.  Since then, many new federal and state laws, policies, funding streams, and projects have been adopted in an effort to create and support a comprehensive system of care to identify and provide short and long term services for children and adults who have experienced human trafficking.  Mental health providers are a vital part of that comprehensive system of care.  In this on-demand recording the presenter provides foundational information on human trafficking pertinent to clinicians, discusses identification and reporting considerations, and suggests resources to support this work.

Changing the Conversation is the official C4 Innovations podcast, where hosts and guests discuss critical and timely topics focused on equity, substance use, mental health, homelessness, and trauma. The New England MHTTC has sponsored episodes of the podcast that explore a variety of specific topics, including reaching and engaging Native youth, the importance, and benefits of fostering an authentic and inclusive environment in the workplace, and honoring lived experience. Podcast host Ashley Stewart shared behind-the-scenes discoveries and lessons learned from fascinating conversations. Ashley was joined by Ronitia Hodges, C4 Innovations Program Manager.

    Session 1 - January 11 To view resources from this training, please click DOWNLOAD Click here to watch the recording Session 2 - January 25 To view resources from this training, please click DOWNLOAD Click here to watch the recording Series Description This 2-part webinar series addresses the current trends of mental health on college campuses and technology-based options that can effectively address them. As colleges and universities move to address the ever-growing student mental health needs on and off campus, coupled with complex hybrid learning environments as a result of the pandemic, many institutions are now offering a plethora of student support resources across multiple modalities. Despite the increases in offered services, many counseling centers continue to be stretched thin. The causes are many including, but not limited to continuously increasing student behavioral health needs (with onsets both prior to and post-enrollment), disconnected messaging of offered services; and unintentional systemic barriers that can disproportionately impact underrepresented student populations. Given these dynamics, it is essential that campus communities focus on behavioral health models that meet students on their terms, connecting them with the right level of care at the right time. In Session 1, using current data, this presentation will review and analyze macro behavioral health trends on campus over the past decade. In Session 2, we will follow up with an explanation of the benefits of implementing an integrated multi-modal stepped-care model to support and sustain student mental health and well-being. These models ensure effective use of available student support resources, decrease institutional/systemic barriers with a “no wrong door approach,” and thus increase engagement, health outcomes, and student success. This will be presented through case studies of several campuses highlighting successes, challenges, and replicable insights. Several interactive components will be utilized including live polls and interactive whiteboarding allowing participants to identify strengths, growth, edges, and ways to impart change on their campuses in real time. Learning Objectives:   Analyze macro behavioral health trends on campus over the past decade, leading to correlated changes in student help-seeking behaviors and expectations of available support services on campus. Reflect upon participants’ campus strengths and growth edges with respect to mental health and wellness offerings. Evaluate the benefits of implementing a stepped-care model to decrease stigma, increase student engagement, and maximize available mental health and well-being resources to support student health and subsequent success. Analyze the benefits, as well as challenges, of offering evidence-based, inclusive, multiple-modality student support services on campus aimed at supporting mental health and well-being. Trainer Nathaan Demers, Psy.D., Director of Strategic Partnerships, Mantra Health Nathaan is a clinical psychologist with experience in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health, therapeutic boarding schools, integrated primary care, and most notably college counseling. In addition to his clinical work, he has implemented a variety of programs at the state/regional/national level, and completed his dissertation on the construct of “maturity” with adolescent and young adult populations. For the past decade, Nathaan has been a thought leader, national speaker, and innovator in the digital behavioral health space, specifically researching and developing holistic behavioral health interventions for institutions of higher education. Currently, Nathaan is the Director of Strategic Partnerships with Mantra Health, the preeminent digital mental health provider bringing accessible, high-quality mental health and wellness solutions to colleges and universities.