Past Events

This conference will focus on the importance of mental health as an essential part of overall health.  Presentations will include Mental Health and Mental Illness; Substance Use and Mental Illness; Suicide, Overdose and Mental Illness; Concurrent Epidemics of HIV, HCV and Substance Misuse; Early Childhood Trauma and Trauma Informed Care; STDs and Risky Sexual Behavior; and LGBT Youth and Mental Health. Professionals working in these areas will be able to increase their knowledge of new updates in an interprofessional environment.     Audience Physicians, clinicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, educators, case managers and intervention specialists. Objectives Introduce key aspects of mental health as part of overall health Discuss ways that stigma has affected prevention and treatment of mental illness, including the criminalization of mental illness Describe the epidemiology of mental health as it relates to substance use Identify current clinical guidelines for treatment of opioid misuse disorder Identify key links between overdose and suicide and how to prevent both by utilizing crisis management and suicide prevention models Describe types of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and how the health professional can address these through illustrative case studies  Describe the relationship between Opioid Misuse, Hepatitis C and HIV epidemics in Pennsylvania Discuss methods for health providers to combat the opioid and HCV epidemic at an individual and systems level, including HCV screening and the epidemiology of HCV as a surrogate for substance use Identify key aspects of how trauma affects the brain and how to work with traumatized patients Discuss the challenges of vicarious trauma and how to address these challenges Develop action plans which build on the principles of trauma-informed care Describe current trends in sexually transmitted diseases, including changes in incidence, prevalence, treatment and guidelines Discuss the benefits of incorporating sexual health history taking into mental health and behavioral health practice Describe effective methods of culturally competent care for young LGBT patients Demonstrate effective methods of incorporating competent LGBT care through illustrative case studies

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. (from: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/take-a-course/course-types/youth/)

The Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer School Mental Health Supplement at the University of Washington SMART Center partnered with the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the National Center on Intensive Intervention, Kaiser Permanente, and the Association of Washington School Principals to host the 2019 MTSS Fest East Conference May 6, 2019 - May 7, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. There was a record attendance of 640 educators. Activities the Northwest MHTTC School Mental Health Supplement supported at MTSS Fest included the Pre-Conference which focused on the role of the school principal in school mental health integration. Eighty school leaders attended the half day session that was presented by Susan Barrett, Old Dominion University. Sessions supported during the main conference included Interconnected Systems Framework, county-wide school mental health and MTSS, reducing disproportionality in student discipline, Tier 3 behavior supports, and more. The Northwest MHTTC School Mental Health Supplement staff also facilitated an onsite advisory committee meeting at MTSS Fest with attendees from Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. A resource table was provided to share information about regional school mental health and MTSS resources with participants.   2019 MTSS Fest East Conference Program  Video of Superintendent Chris Reykdal's Opening Remarks For questions about past or future Washington MTSS Fest conferences, email [email protected].   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.

This Virtual Learning Session is 2 of 5 monthly learning sessions that are a part of the National School Mental Health Learning Collaborative and open to Learning Collaborative participants. Some didactic content will be presented, aligned with the National School Mental Health Curriculum modules, and states will be asked to share progress and lessons learned on specific improvement goals related to school mental health. In addition, states and MHTTCs will be asked to exchange resources, tools, templates, and other materials within the collaborative to promote shared learning.  Please note that all Virtual Learning Sessions will be recorded and archived on the MHTTC website.      

The Northwest MHTTC is partnering to provide this training to a part of the region's workforce specifically based on the rates and prevalence of suicide. Suicide is a silent epidemic and public health crisis.  In the US, suicide is a more common cause of death than breast cancer, prostate cancer, or traffic fatalities. In 2014 the rate of Alaska Native males that died by suicide was nearly four times the national average. All Patients Safe provides the necessary tools to medical providers to understand their role in suicide prevention by teaching them how to: •    Integrate screening and assessment tools into their practice •    Educate patients on keeping homes safe •    Refer patients to additional resources •    Follow up with those at risk for suicide Medical professionals can make an enormous impact!

Time: 6:00-7:15 p.m. ET / 3:00-4:15 p.m. PT / 12:00-1:15 p.m. HT / 9:00-10:15 a.m. ChT This webinar will explore low-barrier services for young adults of transition age experiencing or at risk for behavioral health challenges. Presenters will discuss how low-barrier services can improve engagement and will identify strategies for integrating low-barrier policies and practices into organizational standards. Throughout the discussion, presenters will provide examples of promising approaches that have been adopted by local communities, including the development of drop-in centers and peer-to-peer programs.   Learning Objectives: Define low-barrier access in the context of behavioral health services. Explore the links between access to services and engagement in behavioral health treatment for young adults of transition age. Identify examples of model low-barrier access programs. Learn best practices and practical strategies for integrating low-barrier services into agencies serving young adults.   ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Kristin Thorp, BSW, Youth Engagement Specialist at Youth M.O.V.E. National, has ten years of experience in advocacy, youth leadership, and program development, with a special focus on the mental health and criminal justice systems. As a Youth Engagement Specialist, she is a national technical assistance provider on the development, implementation, and sustainability of quality youth programming. She supports grantees develop meaningful and mutual partnerships with youth, young adults, and system leaders to advance best practices for youth engagement. In addition, she is an advisor on the System of Care Children's Mental Health Initiative and supports national evaluation efforts by conducting qualitative and quantitative research as well as utilizing data to determine technical assistance needs for grantee communities. Prior to joining Youth M.O.V.E. National, Ms. Thorp was the Continuous Quality Improvement Coordinator for Maine's System of Care. Ms. Thorp has utilized her own lived experience, passion, and expertise in the field of positive youth development to bridge multiple perspectives to promote trauma-informed approaches to recovery.   Caitlin Baird is a program manager and trainer with the Pathways Research and Training Institute. Prior to her tenure with Pathways Caitlin served as the peer services manager for one of the largest youth peer support organizations in the state and oversaw the operation of young adult run peer drop-in centers and youth wraparound partners. Caitlin also worked as a youth wraparound partner and served youth and young adults who were multi-system involved and had some of the highest needs. In addition to her direct service experience, Caitlin has lived experience as a young adult who experienced mental health challenges and used said experience to inform her work. During her time at the Pathways Research and Training Center Caitlin has worked on projects that focus on training providers strategies for working with a strengths based, youth driven approach with their clients, as well as elevating youth voice in larger decision-making systems. Caitlin also continues to train on wraparound and systems of care as an independent consultant, and is a member of Youth MOVE National’s Best Practices Committee, and their Youth Peer Support Committee.    

Registration is NOT required • April 25 @ 1:00pm Central Please join the meeting five to ten minutes prior to the start time. This webinar is part one in a series addressing rural mental health. As the first in the series, this webinar will provide a basic introduction to rural mental health. Presenters will discuss the definition of rural, rural demographics, and data on rural mental health and mental health disparities. Speakers will also present rural issues of access, acceptability, and availability of rural mental healthcare services. Several resources will be shared for participants to find additional data, policy briefs, funding opportunities, best practices, and toolkits specifically addressing rural mental health. Hosted by: Shawnda Schroeder, PhD, Research Assistant Professor at the Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Science Thomasine Heitkamp, LICSW, Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor and Co-Director of MP-MHTTC at the University of North Dakota Matt Bruflodt, MA, Information Specialist for the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) at the Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Science Training Topics Epidemiological trends in rural health Use of RHIhub as a resource Learning Objectives How to provide mental healthcare with a limited workforce Understanding the larger context of rural mental health   Addressing Rural Mental Health Sessions 2 and 3 to be announced shortly!

Time: 6-7 p.m. ET / 3-4 p.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. HT / 9-10 a.m. ChT We invite you to join us for this webinar, which will provide foundational knowledge on what are the social determinants of health, why they should be assessed, and how mental health service providers can leverage them for better outcomes. Hear how providers throughout the Pacific Southwest region are addressing the social determinants of health through broad initiatives, service assessments, and strategic partnerships. We will discuss how to identify appropriate partners and collaborate with them on the shared interest of achieving mental health equity. There will be many tools and resources highlighted to support your local efforts, as well as ample opportunity to ask your questions. Participants in this session will have the opportunity for continued and deeper learning in a related Community of Practice. Applications will be released after the webinar.   Coming Soon! The Pacific Southwest MHTTC is developing a supplemental fact sheet on the social determinants of health that will be released shortly.   Learning Objectives: Recognize the connection between the social determinants of health and improved mental health outcomes. Access tools and resources to support appropriate assessment. Explore strategic thinking for community mental health partnerships. Learn what kinds of questions and data will lead you to these partnerships, and how to evaluate the opportunities that exist within them. Establish a framework for incorporating the social determinants of health into your everyday practice.   Intended Audience: Policy makers Mental health leaders Service providers Human resource officers Community partners Mental health advocates   ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Dr. Tamu Nolfo is a developmental psychologist and thought leader who brings more than 20 years' expertise and lived experience to her pursuit of social justice through institutional and systems change. By prioritizing planning, research, and evaluation practices that maximize stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and strategic partnerships, Dr. Nolfo has confronted the social determinants of health at the community, state, and national levels. Dr. Nolfo most recently served in the California Department of Public Health's Office of Health Equity, where she was instrumental in developing and implementing the inaugural California Statewide Plan to Promote Health and Mental Health Equity. Dr. Nolfo is a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum

The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center presents the National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Training of Trainers (T.o.T.). This T.o.T., School-Based Mental Health Services for Hispanic and Latino Children and Youth curriculum, aim to create awareness, help to reduce disparities in the provision of mental health services and improving mental health intervention outcomes for Hispanic and Latino populations in the region. The trainers’ goal is to increase the awareness and enhance the abilities of providers in their use of cultural elements by promoting cultural formulations when treating Hispanics and Latinos with Mental Health Disorders.    The specific objectives of the training are to:   Demonstrate the consideration and incorporation of cultural values when treating Hispanics and Latinos children and youth with mental health disorders.   Distinguish cultural elements that serve to increase the quality and effectiveness of mental health interventions for Hispanic and Latino children and youth through school-based programs.   Identify the harms of labeling culture related reactions as pathological.    Promising or Evidence Based Practices that can be used in the school-based mental health system and that have proven effective with Hispanic and Latino children and youth populations.   Demonstrate an awareness of strategies to effectively engage Hispanic and Latino clients/patients.  

Time: 3:00-4:30 p.m. ET / 12:00-1:30 p.m. PT / 9:00-10:30 a.m. HT / 5:00-6:30 a.m. ChT Webinar: Supporting Students and Staff in the Aftermath of Crisis and Loss Presented by David Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Hosted by the Pacific Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center and the MHTTC Network Coordinating Office   Crisis and loss are common in the lives of students, whether due to a death or crisis involving a student's individual family or one that affects the entire school community. Major events have the potential to cause short- and long-term effects on the psychological functioning, academic achievement, emotional adjustment, health, and developmental trajectory of students. Classroom educators and other school professionals can play a vital role in providing important support to students to promote their understanding of the event, minimize the academic impact through academic accommodations, help them learn coping strategies to accelerate their adjustment and minimize their distress, and minimize maladaptive coping mechanisms and behavioral difficulties. Yet most educators and other school professionals have had limited to no professional training in how to support students in the aftermath of crisis and loss. This workshop will help school professionals learn basic skills in how to talk with and support individual students or the entire class/school as they struggle to understand and cope with a crisis or loss in their lives. Dr. Schonfeld will draw on over 30 years' experience in school crisis response and pediatric bereavement to illustrate key points. Note: This webinar is dedicated to schools navigating crisis and loss connected to the two Parkland student deaths by suicide in recent weeks. The examples provided will be of national interest and resonance. All interested participants are welcome.   Learning Objectives Participants will be able to: Initiate conversations with students in the aftermath of a crisis or after the death of a family member or friend Outline the common symptoms of adjustment reactions in children and adolescents that may occur in response to a crisis Understand the links between trauma, toxic stress, and suicide and the latest findings in neuroscience that cite connectedness as a vital protective factor Discuss the role of guilt in impacting adjustment to a loss or crisis Outline the timeline for adjustment for children after a crisis event Describe grief triggers and advise on how to minimize their impact in a school setting, as well as other academic accommodations Consider issues of professional self-care when supporting children and staff who are grieving or adjusting to a crisis event Know how to access free professional development resources on how to support grieving students via www.grievingstudents.org   ABOUT THE PRESENTER David J Schonfeld, MD, FAAP, established and directs the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement (www.schoolcrisiscenter.org) at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California; the Center coordinates the Coalition to Support Grieving Students (www.grievingstudents.org), comprised of over 85 organizations including the major educational professional organizations.  

The National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center presents the National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Training of Trainers (T.o.T.). This T.o.T., Culture: An Integral Part of Mental Health Services for Hispanic and Latinos curriculum, aim to create awareness, help to reduce disparities in the provision of mental health services and improving mental health intervention outcomes for Hispanic and Latino populations in the region.   The trainers’ goal is to increase the awareness and enhance the abilities of providers in their use of cultural elements by promoting cultural formulations when treating Hispanics and Latinos with Mental Health Disorders.    The specific objectives of the training are to:   Demonstrate the consideration and incorporation of cultural values when treating Hispanics and Latinos with Mental Health Disorders and other mental health illnesses.     Distinguish culture related symptoms and behaviors when diagnosing Hispanic and Latino clients/patients.   Identify the harms of labeling culture related reactions as pathological.    Demonstrate an awareness of strategies to effectively engage Hispanic and Latino clients.

This event is a training opportunity in The Incredible Years(R) Basics and Home Visiting Supplement Parenting Education Program. The Incredible Years® evidence based parenting programs focus on strengthening parenting competencies and fostering parent involvement in children’s school experiences, to promote children’s academic, social, and emotional skills and reduce conduct problems. In collaboration with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the South Southwest MHTTC will support several Local Mental Health Authorities to be trained in and pilot The Incredible Years(R) Y program. *This event is currently not accepting applicants.

The Northwest MHTTC invites Oregon ACT teams to join the Washington State ACT ECHO Clinic for a pilot trial starting in April!   Background and Training Opportunity:  The University of Washington ACT Training Team currently uses an ECHO Clinic teleconsultation model to provide ongoing training and consultation to ACT teams in Washington State. ECHO Clinics occur monthly, typically on the 2nd Wednesday via web-based meetings from 12-1:30 pm. Each ECHO Clinic is composed of the following format:   Didactic training (tentative didactics schedule attached) Topics are mutually selected by ACT teams in collaboration with training team and based on fidelity reviews that indicate common training needs Case presentation by one ACT team, followed by consultation recommendations from other ACT teams and the training team Provides an opportunity for in-depth consultation from other teams with similar clinical or situational challenges Facilitates a learning community for ACT practice Ad hoc consultation to any ACT team with consultation questions Opportunities to share other announcements, team updates, and informal networking with fellow ACT teams   Participation Details:  We will host up to 8 Oregon ACT teams on our current ECHO Clinic calls so that we can learn more from them, they can learn from us and try out this approach to consultation, and we can think together how we can best meet the training needs of ACT teams in our region by leveraging training tools like ECHO.   Participation includes: An orientation call with Washington ACT trainers to better understand the ECHO clinic and case presentation protocol. Feedback gathered at the orientation will help tailor the didactic training schedule to the teams’ needs during this pilot trial. Participation in a brief survey of the team’s IT needs. We will send teams all needed equipment free of charge. Active participation by the majority of the team members in monthly consultation calls April through September, 2019 (6 months). Completion of at least one case presentation and/or ad hoc consultation over the course of the six-month pilot. Completion of an evaluation questionnaire of the training experience and what they learned toward the end of the six-month trial, and 30 days after completion.   Participants will receive 6 continuing education contacts hours at completion of the six-month ECHO Clinic pilot.  

Time: 6-7 p.m. ET / 3-4 p.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. HT / 9-10 a.m. ChT The Pacific Southwest MHTTC is focusing on workforce diversity to support improved access to health and health care for communities of color. The PS MHTTC has developed "Assessing Workforce Diversity: A Tool for Mental Health Organizations on the Path to Health Equity," a self-assessment instrument designed to help mental health organizations explore their implementation of workforce diversity strategies. It addresses six areas: Leadership and Governance; Recruitment; Orientation, Onboarding, and Ongoing Training; Retention and Professional Development; Communication; and Partnership and Community Goals. The workshop will outline the purpose of these areas in strengthening workforce diversity and explore the different issues that require attention.   Further learning: Participants in this session will have the opportunity for continued learning in a related Community of Practice. Invitations to participate will be released after the webinar.   Learning Objectives: Explore the importance of a diverse workforce in effectively addressing mental health disparities for the populations in your community. Identify the critical components needed to assess the successes and challenges of your mental health organization in building a diverse workforce. Identify areas in which your organization excels and also areas in which you may want to focus attention. Identify action steps to address areas where your organization is more limited and incorporate these action steps into an existing organizational plan (e.g., strategic, cultural competency, or diversity plan).   Intended Audience: Policy makers Mental health leaders Service providers Human resource officers Community partners Mental health advocates   ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Naomi Ortega Tein is a Change Specialist at Change Matrix and supports resource development for the Pacific Southwest MHTTC. She has over 25 years of experience working on systems change and capacity building at the community, state, and national levels. Particular focus areas include: community health, immigrant and Latino health, maternal and child health, behavioral health, and education. Naomi holds a Master's in Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill and is fluent in Spanish.   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.

This is part three of a three part webinar series. Dr. Andrew J. McLean, MD MPH will discuss the concept of psychosis and symptom features, share how to identify the phases of psychosis, and provide an overview of best practices of care for first episode psychosis. Time: 1:00-2:00 pm Central

Culture shapes every aspect of patient care, influencing when, where, how, and to whom patients narrate their experiences of illness and distress, the patterning of symptoms, and the models clinicians use to interpret and understand symptoms in terms of psychiatric diagnoses. Culture also shapes patients’ perceptions of care, including what types of treatment are acceptable and for how long. Even when patients and clinicians share similar cultural, ethnic or linguistic backgrounds, culture impacts care through other influences on identity, such as those due to gender, age, class, race, occupation, sexual orientation, and religion. Culture affects the clinical encounter for every patient, not only underserved minority groups, and cultural formulation therefore is an essential component of any comprehensive assessment. Cultural misunderstandings, biases, and communication gaps between providers and patients also contribute to disparities in the care of diverse populations, including by race/ethnicity, religion, gender identity, and sexual orientation, suggesting person-centered cultural evaluation may help reduce care disparities.    The purpose of this webinar are to understand the rationale, development, and content of a novel approach for conducting cultural assessments: the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI); and to discuss training resources and implementation strategies for integrating the CFI in diagnostic and treatment planning.

Join us for this webinar in our Mental Health in Native Communities series. Jacque Gray, PhD, will present, "The Path to Crisis Response and Recovery." Note: an opportunity to collaborate in a TA project with the National American Indian and Alaska Native MHTTC will be announced in this webinar. Applications and information will be given at the end of Dr. Gray’s presentation, and two pilot sites will be chosen from the applicants.

This training will provide attendees with the foundational elements of motivational interviewing and the stages of change model; demonstration and practice of skills and strategies to implement motivational interviewing in your work; and approaches to match your interventions to your participant’s stage of change. This training will be informational and interactive. We are pleased to offer trainings in the northern and southern regions of the state. CRC CEUs are provided by the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Time: 6-7 p.m. ET / 3-4 p.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. HT / 9-10 a.m. ChT All health service systems are undergoing fundamental changes in order to embrace the diversity of populations in the U.S. today. Many health systems continue to grapple with the numerous challenges of implementing systemic change to respond effectively to the multiple needs of diverse cultural and linguistic groups. Organizations working together as part of a broader system often do not know where to start the work of integrating cultural and linguistic competence. To do this work, organizations first need to come to a common understanding of culture and cultural competence and adopt a systemic framework for its integration into services and supports. This presentation will provide a conceptual framework for cultural competence in health. Participants will not only define and identify the framework and underlying principles of cultural competence, they will begin to explore how these principles will influence their roles and functions. Further learning: Participants in this session will have the opportunity for continued learning in a related Community of Practice. Invitations to participate will be released after the webinar.   Learning Objectives: Identify the components of a conceptual framework for cultural competence. Differentiate characteristics of culturally competent organizations and systems. Describe the implications for cultural competence in services and support systems. Determine steps to provide leadership in becoming more culturally and linguistically competent.   Intended Audience: Policy makers Mental health leaders Service providers Human resource officers Community partners Mental health advocates   ABOUT THE PRESENTERS Naomi Ortega Tein is a Change Specialist at Change Matrix and supports resource development for the Pacific Southwest MHTTC. She has over 25 years of experience working on systems change and capacity building at the community, state, and national levels. Particular focus areas include: community health, immigrant and Latino health, maternal and child health, behavioral health, and education. Naomi holds a Master's in Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill and is fluent in Spanish.   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.

Presentation Title: Youth Substance Use and Mental Health: Understanding Trends and Identifying Problems

Presentation Title: Understanding and Recognizing Student's Mental Health Challenges and Building Resilience

Time: 6-7 p.m. ET / 3-4 p.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. HT / 9-10 a.m. ChT Join Leah Harris and Kelechi Ubozoh in exploring what a trauma-informed suicide prevention approach for educators might look like. This webinar will begin with the perspective of a young person with lived experience of suicidal thoughts.  Presenters will identify common myths and misconceptions about students and suicide, and explore the vital importance of including students as partners in suicide prevention efforts. Examples of promising student-led initiatives, including peer-to-peer programs and school awareness campaigns, will be provided.   Learning Objectives Participants will: Identify several myths or stereotypes about suicide and students Explore a framework for understanding suicide prevention through a trauma-informed and healing-centered lens Understand the links between trauma, toxic stress and suicide and the latest findings in neuroscience that cite connectedness as a vital protective factor Describe the central values of trauma-informed practice and how to apply them to suicide prevention efforts in educational settings Name examples of model student-led suicide prevention programs and campaigns   Open to participants of all experience and knowledge levels.   This is the second session in the Mental Health Literacy & Student Learning Outcomes webinar series.   About the Presenters Leah Harris, MA is a  mother, writer, and suicide attempt survivor who is passionate about trauma-informed and social justice-based approaches to suicide prevention. She is a consultant and trainer in trauma-informed approaches across sectors and communities, including education, health care, and human services. She serves on the consumer/survivor subcommittee of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and was a member of the Attempt Survivors Task force of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. Ms. Harris received the first prize in the 2018 Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Contest sponsored by the American Association of Suicidology. Her story is featured in The S Word, a documentary about suicide.   Kelechi Ubozoh is a nationally recognized suicide prevention advocate and was featured in the SAMSHA Award-Winning documentary, The S Word, which follows the lives of suicide attempt survivors in an effort to end the stigma and silence around suicide. This year her story of recovery was featured in O, The Oprah Magazine. In July of 2019, her book with co-editor L.D. Green, We’ve Been Too Patient will be released from North Atlantic Books and Penguin Random House. We’ve Been Too Patient is a collection of diverse stories of radical healing and consider the recent movement towards reform in the mental health field, including the consumer movement, peer support, and trauma-informed care.  Last year, Ms. Ubozoh appeared on CBS This Morning with Gayle King, Good Morning America, and ABC Channel 7 News to support a national conversation about suicide prevention. She currently works at CalMHSA as the Tech Suite Peer and Community Engagement Manger.  

This Virtual Learning Session is 1 of 5 monthly learning sessions that are a part of the National School Mental Health Learning Collaborative and open to Learning Collaborative participants. Some didactic content will be presented, aligned with the National School Mental Health Curriculum modules, and states will be asked to share progress and lessons learned on specific improvement goals related to school mental health. In addition, states and MHTTCs will be asked to exchange resources, tools, templates, and other materials within the collaborative to promote shared learning.  Please note that all Virtual Learning Sessions will be recorded and archived on the MHTTC website.

Hosted by the Arundel County Department of Education, this forum will feature Dr. Anna Muller from the University of Chicago. She is a suicide prevention expert and will be addressing this issue with parents, students, educators and the public at large. The Central East Mental Health Technology Transfer Center in collaboration with the National Center for School Mental Health will provide information on national and local suicide prevention resources.