Past Events

The Great Lakes MHTTC School-based Supplement is hosting this webinar focused on helping educators and families recognize signs of anxiety in youth. As we continue to wade through these changing and challenging times, our students are also facing the uncertainty of what the upcoming school year brings. Now, more than ever it is important that we are attuned to our students' mental health needs. Topics to be covered include: How ongoing stress can cause health problems Brain development and the impact of stress in teens Common anxiety disorders in youth, including signs and symptoms Self-help strategies for depression and anxiety How to encourage professional help   Speaker: Angela Begres, LMSW Co-Founder Partners for Healthy Lives   Angela is a licensed clinical social worker who did her training at the University of Chicago, where she obtained her MSW. She is an experienced trainer and presenter contracted both independently and through various nonprofits in the Chicago area, Michigan, and others, with experience integrating mental health education programs into the curriculum for students and staff within the Chicago and West Cook County public schools. In Partnership with the National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI) Metro Suburban, Angela also developed a program to help decrease student stress and implement mindfulness in the classrooms. She has also worked with Chicago Family Services (DCFS) providing parenting education, with efforts to get parents reunited with their children. Intended Audience: School Personnel and Family

Peer Support and Essential Workers During COVID-19 is the third part of a three part series entitled "Sharing our Wisdom: Lived Experience and COVID-19." In this webinar we will discuss the role that Peer Workers play in the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will have the opportunity to speak from their lived experiences and presenters welcome questions from the audience. Presenters: Ana Florence, Ph.D., Keris Jän Myrick, Richard Youins, and Thomas Wexler

This session will focus on models of integrated behavioral health care with emphasis on the Primary Care model. Speakers will present the importance of communication with the primary care team and communication strategies such as warm hand-offs and hallway consultations. The benefits of utilizing these strategies will be highlighted as ways to promote collaboration, increase attendance rates for patients, and provide the type and brevity of communication needed in a busy primary care clinic.

Kick off your summer learning season with the Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC)’s webinar series on Implicit Bias in Mental Health Services! Everyone has implicit biases. It is important to become mindful of how they can show up and impact our work with others. We will explore the dynamics of implicit bias and its impact on decision-making in behavioral health spaces.   This series will challenge you to: Reflect on your own implicit bias Experientially grapple with the concepts of prejudice, bias, microaggressions and stereotypes Recognize the role bias plays in responding to #mentalhealth concerns and in client interactions Learn ways to become self-aware of their own biases Acknowledge the way bias shows up in our organizational culture, climate, policies, and practices Examine strategies to break the biases that show up in organizational structure and engagement with communities   Sign up now! May 13th 3-4:30pm PT - How Implicit Bias Affects Our Work: Starting with the Individual (completed / watch recorded session) June 30th 3-4:30pm PT - How Implicit Bias Affects Our Work: Relationships with Clients (completed / watch recorded session) July 22nd 3-4:30pm PT - How Implicit Bias Affects Our Work: Organizational Culture and Climate (completed / watch recorded session) August 27th 3-4:30pm PT - How Implicit Bias Affects Our Work: Engagement with Communities   About the Facilitators: Dr. Rachele Espiritu is the co-director of SAMHSA's Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (Hawaii, California, Arizona, Nevada, and the Pacific Islands). Dr. Espiritu provides training, technical assistance, and capacity building at the local, territory, tribal, state, and national level in multiple systems, including mental health, substance use, public health, and education. She is a founding partner with Change Matrix LLC, a minority- and women-owned small business that motivates, manages and measures change to support systems that improve lives. She is a former School Board Member of Denver Public Schools (DPS), where she provided direction and leadership for Whole Child efforts and successfully passed a resolution for DPS to become a trauma-informed school district.   Kaitlin E. Ferrick, J.D. is a Knowledge Transfer Specialist with the Pacific Southwest MHTTC and a Change Specialist with Change Matrix. Ms. Ferrick’s work focuses on driving equitable outcomes for children and families through strategic, cross-sector systems change. Previously, Ms. Ferrick was the Head Start State Collaboration Office Director at the Michigan Department of Education where she worked to improve collaboration between the federal Head Start and state early childhood systems. Ms. Ferrick attended law school at the University of Wisconsin, where she participated in the Innocence Project and assisted an array of indigent clients with their legal matters. She also taught in Los Angeles County Head Start classrooms as a Teach for America corps member.   Dr. Suganya Sockalingam is a Founding Partner at Change Matrix, LLC, which supports agencies in addressing diversity, cultural competence, and cross-cultural communication as well as leadership, collaboration, and conflict management. Dr. Sockalingam focuses on supporting individuals, organizations, and systems to motivate, manage, and measure systems change. Currently, she serves as a training and technical assistance provider for several national technical assistance centers, and for other federal, national, state, territorial, and community agencies. She earned her doctorate at Washington State University and has worked in many capacities in public and behavioral health, both nationally and internationally, for over 25 years.

“Throughout their history, tribes have faced numerous and dark challenges, and they have always managed to overcome…It’s been a story of resilience and perseverance.” — Eric Henson With schools re-opening just around the corner and many complications still unknown, tribal schools and communities are faced with making very tough decisions about moving forward. The challenge posed by this crisis adds to existing issues present in some Native communities such as teacher shortages and the lack of infrastructure for high speed internet, which further impedes their ability to offer appropriate distance learning programs.   For teachers, who are held accountable for getting students ready for college or careers, COVID-19 has added to their already jam-packed workloads and responsibilities as we look to them to teach and practice preventative safety measures to avoid any exposure to COVID-19. Some of these added responsibilities will be to ensure and instruct students in effective social distancing, wearing face coverings, and practicing appropriate hygiene.  For students, school is their most sought-after place to socialize. As students return to school, they will be introduced to another form of socialization at a six-foot distance. Understandably, these changes can lead to confusion, anxiety, and other challenges.  The MHTTC K-12 program invites the entire school community (students, parents, teachers, counselors, and principals) to our special weekly listening sessions covering topics that are important for you as we go through this new school year together.  Examples of upcoming session topics:  Hear from other tribal schools as they re-open Is Your School Ready? COVID -19 Toolkit Best Practices in Teaching Hygiene  Self-Care for Teachers What Parents Have to Say Telehealth in Schools  Rise in Mental Outcomes and Crisis Intervention Serving Students with Disabilities Protecting the Health and Safety of Students and Teachers Best Ways to Handle Truancy Weekly on Thursdays, beginning August 20 3-4 EDT . 2-3 CDT . 1-2 MDT . 12-1 PDT . 11-12 ADT

This webinar series is a collaboration between the Northeast and Caribbean MHTTC, the Northeast and Caribbean ATTC, and the Northeast and Caribbean PTTC.   Behavioral health disparities reflect the lack of access to quality care for specific populations. Despite notable efforts to address inequitable outcomes, research suggests that race and ethnicity are predictors of how services are delivered, and unconscious bias is one component that has been identified as influencing the provision of poor care. With the steady rise of the US population and the expected increase in communities of color, the need to address behavioral health disparities has never been more urgent. This first session of the four-part series will discuss how cognitive bias develops, how it is sustained by intrinsic and environmental factors, and how it contributes to inequitable outcomes for persons of color in behavioral health care. 

Nearly one in four youth and young adults (YYA) in the United States identify as Latinx or Hispanic. While diverse in terms of personal circumstances, heritage, language, culture, strengths, and needs, many Latinx YYA share challenges related to poverty, discrimination, and cultural identity. They are at heightened risk of depression and suicidality, and their mental health needs are often unaddressed and untreated. As Latinx people are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its far-reaching effects on their families and communities, it is more important than ever for organizations and practitioners to increase their capacity to support Latinx YYA in coping with the many challenges they face. Please join the New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center for an interactive conversation with Juan Velez Court, Kristine Irizarry, Andrea Mendiola, and practitioners from New England and beyond.

The sudden life changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have reshaped our personal relationships in unprecedented ways. In more extreme cases, the challenges have caused a rise in unhealthy behaviors and aggravated pre-existing conflicts. This Central East MHTTC-supported training will provide faith-based strategies for enduring unhealthy relationships through the Coronavirus outbreak.   Presenter:  Darryl Green Founder, Deep Forgiveness 

The Peer Support Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (PS ECHO) is a movement to share knowledge, and amplify capacity to provide best practices. The PS ECHO is an online community for Peer Recovery Specialist and Mental Health Peers to: Share community and statewide resources Learn new skills and tools for doing peer work Meet and connect with other peers    

Clergy and members of congregations are experiencing mental health and emotional challenges in the wake of the Coronavirus crisis and ongoing racial injustice. These presentations (part of the Addressing The Mental Health Needs Of The Faith Based Community In The Face Of COVID-19, Racism And Police Brutality series) will provide guidance on assisting the faith community during these parallel pandemics.   Sponsored by the Leadership Council for Healthy Communities in association with the Black Psychiatrists of America and supported by the Central East MHTTC.   Presenters: William Lawson, MD, PhD                 Founder and Director Institute for Reducing Health Disparities, LLC                   Edwin Chapman, MD, DABIM Chief Medical Officer, Medical Home Development Group, LLC                   Part 1: August 20, 2020, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Part 2: August 27, 2020, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Closed Registration

Suicide Prevention in Rural Primary Care: Office Protocols, Screening, and Assessment This 90 minute training is part one in a two part series on suicide prevention in rural primary care offices. This session will provide an overview of rural suicide issues, contributing factors to suicide rates in rural communities, primary care providers’ critical role in suicide prevention, office protocols, and patient screening and risk assessment. People who die by suicide are more likely to have been seen by a primary care provider in the 30 days prior to their death than any other health care discipline. In rural areas especially, where behavioral health resources are fewer and stigma around seeking mental health help may be greater, it is crucial that primary care providers have the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to help prevent suicide among their clients. This webinar series will introduce a simple toolkit to help put suicide prevention protocols into place in a practice or clinic, and will walk participants through the screening, assessment, and intervention phases of suicide prevention. Tips for addressing suicidal issues via telehealth will also be included.   Trainer Liza Tupa, Ph.D. Part Two Suicide Prevention in Rural Primary Care:  Intervention, Follow-up, and Telehealth Tips This is part two in a two-part series on suicide prevention in rural primary care offices. This session will cover intervention including medication, safety planning, documentation, and follow-up for patients expressing suicidal ideation as well as tips for helping patients via telehealth.   Register Now Learn More    Trainer Liza Tupa, Ph.D.

Trauma-Invested Practices to Help Learners Thrive August 26, 2020 11:00am - 7:00pm US Mountain Time 12:00pm - 8:00pm US Central Time This eight-hour training was an ongoing learning community developed to increase school staff capacity to respond to the mental health needs of students experiencing the effects of trauma. Kristin Souers, from Education Hall Consulting, provided a session "kick-off" and oriented participants to the self-paced learning curriculum developed to support education staff in addressing the needs of students. This training was provided online instead of in-person Trainer Kristin Souers

Part of a 10-hour Motivational Interviewing class that will be held in 2-hour sessions on a weekly basis for 5 weeks. Training objectives for family home visiting staff include: Learn how to help families increase motivation related to their goals and identify barriers to growth. Gain helpful tools that can guide participants to reach their goals. Introduction to Motivational Interviewing concepts such as: focusing on growing opportunities, recognizing change talk and feeling out of balance (ambivalence), adjusting to resistance, and supporting confidence and hope.  *This is a closed event and only available to those that applied ahead of time. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions. 

Whether you’re a counselor, teacher, or social worker, serving children is hard. You’re taking care of everyone, and often feel exhausted. This series of 12 self-compassion sessions teach you how to care for yourself in the moment that you most need it. Research has shown that those who are more self-compassionate experience less stress, anxiety, and depression, are more resilient, and better able to deal with emotional challenges. Drawn from the internationally-acclaimed Mindful Self-Compassion program, which was created by Dr. Kristin Neff (educational psychologist at University of Texas, Austin) and Dr. Chris Germer, (clinical psychologist, Harvard University), the sessions will be comprised of didactic presentations, guided practices, and discussions which will offer specific tools that you can use to give yourself the support you deserve. Download the flier here.

 “Strategies of Support for Mental Health Providers” - Empowering one another during times of crisis This is the 19th session of a weekly open forum to listen and share suggestions and resources. Special attention will be paid to resiliency, strength, overcoming challenges of social distancing, and supporting mental health professionals in their efforts to adapt their delivery of services. Times for next session: 11:00am – 12:00pm AKDT 12:00pm – 1:00pm PDT 1:00pm – 2:00pm MDT 2:00pm – 3:00pm CDT 3:00pm – 4:00pm EDT

About the Event:  Semi-annual Southeast MHTTC Advisory Board Meeting 

This presentation will begin with easy to understand definitions and examples of the types, symptoms and stages of dementia. Participants will leave the session equipped with examples and strategies for preparing adequately to care for someone with the disease through the different stages, as well as the support that faith and faith communities can provide to families throughout this difficult journey.   Presenter:  Loretta Veney (Author of the book Being My Mom’s Mom)

Join us for a one-day virtual workshop to help your community to alleviate trauma, toxic stress, and mental health challenges for youth and those who work with them. Understanding how to cultivate a compassionate school community, using mindfulness practices and community-based visioning to address trauma, will help staff, as well as students and their families, return to school this fall with tools to overcome the mental health challenges presented by COVID-19 and amid widespread collaborative support to end racial inequity and injustice across the globe. Presenters: Martha Staeheli, PhD, Christine Mason, PhD, and Dana Asby, MA, MEd Click here to view the flyer and agenda for this event!

This symposium provides training on how clergy can recognize and respect individuals within their congregations who compose the LGBT community. The Central East MHTTC is supporting this Baltimore Faith Based Commission for Behavioral Health event.   Part 1: August 15, 2020, 10:00am – 11:30am Part 2: August 22, 2020, 10:00am – 11:30am   Presenter: Pastor Jeff Harris   Who Should Attend? Faith leaders and persons holding leadership positions in their respective houses of worship