Past Events

Wednesday December 15th | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. MT Event Description Depression is a condition that is experienced by a significant number of individuals. It is a condition that can have implications for personal, social, health, vocational, and relational functioning. When left untreated, it can result in severe impairments and an increased possibility of suicide. Depression is also experienced by individuals throughout their life span from youth to older adulthood. While depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, it often goes untreated. Yet, depression has been shown to respond to treatment interventions allowing individuals to improve their level of functioning and quality of life.     A key barrier for individuals to receive appropriate care and treatment when dealing with depression is accessing providers who are versed in treating depressive episodes. Further, a fragmented health care delivery system creates further challenges for seeking appropriate care for depression. The advent of integrated care opens possibilities for addressing these traditional barriers.   This webinar will provide an opportunity to highlight some best practices including screening tools, protocols, and integrated collaborative care models. Strategies that could be employed to enhance care and the training of practitioners will also be presented.     A portion of the webinar will focus on rural communities. Individuals living in rural communities face unique challenges when attempting to access care for mental health concerns. This webinar will share practices that providers can utilize to support rural populations presenting with depression related conditions.   Trainer Ken Flanagan, PhD, LCSW

Mid-America MHTTC faculty trainers will train employees at an Iowa agency in Motivational Interviewing for persons with serious mental illness. The training will focus on foundational knowledge and skills to engage clients in behavioral change.

A unique training opportunity provided by The Lucine Center for Trauma and Grief Sponsored by the Pacific Southwest & South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers   The Pacific Southwest and South Southwest MHTTCs are coming together to co-sponsor a unique learning collaborative facilitated by The Lucine Center for Trauma and Grief this December 2021- August 2022. Each of our regions will accept 20 providers (general mental health and school mental health) to receive intensive training and coaching on TGCTA (Trauma and Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents).   Purpose of the PS & SSW MHTTC TGCTA Learning Collaborative   What is TGCTA? TGCTA is an evidence-based, manualized intervention that addresses the complex needs of older children and adolescents contending with trauma, bereavement, or traumatic bereavement. TGCTA’s modularized, flexible design allows clinicians to customize their intervention according to the specific needs, strengths, and life circumstances of specific youth and the time available. TGCTA combines state-of-the-art assessment and treatment of trauma exposure, bereavement, and the interplay between posttraumatic stress and grief reactions that can arise following traumatic bereavement. Learn more about TGCTA: Trauma and Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents   What will you get from this learning collaborative? Those participating in the TGCTA Learning Collaborative will gain: High-quality, no-cost virtual training which allows you to become proficient in implementing TGCTA; Expert support from TGCTA Master Trainers, including Julie Kaplow, PhD (co-developer of TGCTA), Marisa Nowitz, LCSW-S, and Stephanie Yudovich, LCSW-S, in your efforts to implement TGCTA at your site in a sustainable manner; and, The TGCTA manual as part of the Learning Collaborative Materials (Sponsored by the Pacific Southwest and South Southwest MHTTCs).   Outcomes of the TGCTA Learning Collaborative Demonstrate commitment to measuring progress through ongoing data collection and maintaining fidelity to the model. Become proficient in implementing the trauma- and bereavement-informed assessment is an integral TGCTA component that guides case formulation, flexibly tailored treatment planning, treatment implementation, ongoing monitoring and surveillance, and treatment evaluation. Gain skills in differentiating between and addressing posttraumatic stress reactions, grief reactions (both adaptive and maladaptive), and their interplay following traumatic bereavement are core features. Access peer consultation from providers across the pacific and southwest regions National roster listing: The TGCTA Development Team is in the process of establishing a National Roster for those participants who have received TGCTA training. Once you have attained roster status, your status follows you as an individual practitioner and is not dependent on the participating organization.   When is this Learning Collaborative?   -1- TGCTA Foundational Trainings Wednesday, December 15th and Thursday, December 16th, 2021 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST held virtually   -2- Action Period (Implementation & consultation calls) The period following the TGCTA training is referred to as the Action Period. During the Action Period, participants are required to implement TGCTA and participate in consultation calls. The Action Period is a time for each participant to practice new skills, implement and spread the practice, and develop the capacity to sustain it. Fidelity metrics will be collected monthly from participants during the Action Periods, and de-identified, client treatment-related outcome data will also be collected during this time. Learning Collaborative participants share their implementation successes and challenges via regular monthly consultation calls to further accelerate this advancement.   Eligibility & Fit Providers from both the Pacific Southwest and South Southwest regions are welcome to apply. Pacific Southwest eligibility: Providers in SAMHSA Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and U.S. Pacific Islands of American Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau. South Southwest eligibility: Providers in SAMHSA Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas)   General Participant Requirements and Overview The following required components for rostering will be expected of clinical participants of this current Learning Collaborative: Participation in both full days (2) of the virtual TGCTA training Participation in at least 9 of the 12 consultation calls offered once per month for 12 months following training Completion of required fidelity metrics   Notes: The model focuses on the unique developmental risks, tasks, challenges, and opportunities associated with adolescence (ages 12-18) TGCT was initially developed as a group-based modality but has been adapted for individual use. There are advantages to each modality. Group implementation allows mental health professionals to increase treatment efficiency, therapeutically leverage adolescents’ susceptibility to peer influences, and harness a wide array of potent tools found within therapeutic group settings, while individual use allows mental health professionals to increase tailoring of the treatment and process in greater depth with clients.   Continued Education Continued Education for eligible mental health professionals will be offered to clinical participants (verification of training and consultation attendance is required).  Initial training on December 15 and 16, 2021: 14.0 CEUs (to be awarded in December 2021) Collaborative and Ongoing consultation from January – August 2022: up to 8.0 CEUs depending on consultancy participation (CEUs awarded in August 2022)   How do I apply? Trainees are vetted via an application process. This application packet contains critical information to help trainees understand the benefits of participating in this process, as well as important expectations to consider as they prepare to apply for the collaborative. Applications due by November 12, 2021 EOD.   APPLICATIONS CLOSED AFTER NOVEMBER 12, 2021

Session Four: Q&A Panel This new webinar series will bring professionals from the school mental health field to share knowledge, lived experiences, affirming practices and resources to create supportive spaces for the LGBTQIA2+ community in schools in our region.

Session Description: Helping professionals, such as counselors, teachers, and health professionals, are critically important to the workforce, yet we are also at great risk for helping others more than we help ourselves! In this 6 part series, we invite YOU to sit down, take a breath, replenish yourself and restore by considering strategies to help you flourish. Together, we’ll explore the importance of making our own well-being a priority, think about our work/life balance, remember our purpose, take actions to flourish, and use our strengths within a framework of healthy positivity. This 6-week collection (webinar and podcast series) will be led by experts in supporting personal recovery, wellness, and positive psychology with practical approaches that build up to a comprehensive flourishing plan. Join us for this series designed to support your flourishing. Your one-time registration will automatically enroll you in all 6 sessions of this series. Presenter:  Michelle Zechner, PhD, MSW, LSW, CPRP, Assistant Professor at Rutgers, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Programs, has focused her career on the promotion of health and wellness for people with mental health conditions, their families, and the staff who support them for over 25 years. She has worked in a variety of settings including: academia, outpatient mental health programs, family advocacy organization, psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, and training services. She conducts research, teaches and mentors students, and consults with state psychiatric hospitals on the implementation of evidence-based mental health practices. She is also involved in family advocacy in New Jersey.

Mindful Movement is a 30 minute meditation space for individuals to ground themselves, release any built up tension, prepare for the week ahead, etc..   1:00-1:30pm CT Tuesdays   It will be led by Victoria Marie, Wáčhiŋhiŋ Máza Wíŋyaŋ (Iron Plume Woman) (https://indigenouslotus.com/about) and is for all school personnel to attend and benefit from.   The sessions will be recorded and can later be used for teachers to use as a resource whenever needed.   Questions? [email protected]  

About the Event:           Given the ever-expanding inclusion of the term “crisis” by entities describing offerings that do not truly function as no-wrong-door safety net services, we must define what crisis services are and what they are not. Crisis services are for anyone, anywhere and anytime. In addition to 911 calls and support, law enforcement, and fire & rescue, crisis services include crisis lines, mobile crisis teams, and crisis receiving and stabilization facilities.  Join us on Tuesday, December 14th, 2021 at 12 PM ET as the Southeast MHTTC hosts a webinar event with leaders from Behavioral Health Link and the GA Crisis and Access Line. Learning Objectives:       1.Describe the 3 key components of SAMHSA's Crisis Now Model.       2.Discuss the implications of 988.       3.Describe a "crisis now model" in action using Georgia as an example.    For additional information on crisis service availability in the Southeast and across the US, be sure to check out our newest interactive data map: Suicide and Crisis Services Access.  

Session Description: Session 4 will the Core Listening skills for strengths and supporting self-care, how to linkage to wellness /self-care resources, and strategies for Becoming a workplace wellness champion.   Presenter: Margaret (Peggy) Swarbrick, Ph.D., FAOTA | Research Professor & Associate Director, Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology  Dr. Swarbrick has worked for over 35 years in a variety of healthcare settings designing and evaluating innovative peer-delivered models and training programs that promote wellness and resilience. She has created an 8-dimensional Wellness Model adopted by behavioral healthcare agencies and state authorities across the country. In addition, she has developed a wellness coaching model and wellness Self-care Programs for a variety of populations including health professionals.  Dr. Swarbrick has published extensively on a wide range of topics including health disparities, the wellness model, and health promotion approaches.      

¿Es usted hispano y/o latinx y tiene un familiar o un ser querido con una condición de salud mental? ¿Está dispuesto a hablar sobre los servicios de salud mental que están recibiendo? ¿Está dispuesto a hablar sobre los desafíos y las experiencias en apoyar a los miembros de su familia o seres queridos con una condición de salud mental?   Los Centros de Transferencia de Tecnología en Salud Mental lo invitan a un conversatorio virtual. Estos conversatorios se llevan a cabo para entender mejor las experiencias de familiares hispanos y latinx de personas con condiciones de salud mental. Estas conversaciones ofrecen la oportunidad de escuchar y aprender de los miembros de familia sobre sus percepciones culturales y experiencias relacionadas con las condiciones de salud mental. Utilizaremos esta información para educar a los proveedores de salud mental para que apoyen la recuperación de la salud mental de las personas hispanas y latinas.

¡Le invitamos a una conversación virtual con familiares de personas con condiciones de salud mental! ¿Es usted hispano y/o latinx y tiene un familiar o un ser querido con una condición de salud mental? ¿Está dispuesto a hablar sobre los servicios de salud mental que están recibiendo? ¿Está dispuesto a hablar sobre los desafíos y las experiencias en apoyar a los miembros de su familia o seres queridos con una condición de salud mental? Estamos interesados en conversar con usted. ¡Únase a nosotros para una discusión virtual confidencial! Los Centros de Transferencia de Tecnología en Salud Mental lo invitan a un conversatorio virtual. Estos conversatorios se llevan a cabo para entender mejor las experiencias de familiares hispanos y latinx de personas con condiciones de salud mental. Estas conversaciones ofrecen la oportunidad de escuchar y aprender de los miembros de familia sobre sus percepciones culturales y experiencias relacionadas con las condiciones de salud mental. Utilizaremos esta información para educar a los proveedores de salud mental para que apoyen la recuperación de la salud mental de las personas hispanas y latinas.

In this webinar, we will discuss an integrative approach to working in a culturally responsive manner with Chicanx/Latinx populations and highlight tools related to “Browning” your counseling. An awareness of how traditional/individualistic concepts in mental health can be culturally incongruent for Chicanx/Latinx populations will be explored. Addressing and responding to issues of identity development, family dynamics, and spirituality in psychotherapy will be outlined. About the Presenter: Dr. Manuel X. Zamarripa (He/Him), LPC-S Dr. Manuel X. Zamarripa (He/Him), LPC-S is the director and co-founder of the Institute of Chicana/o/x Psychology based in Austin, TX, where he conducts workshops (community), training (professionals) and teaches courses on issues related to Chicanx/Latinx wellness, cultural identity, mental health, and cultural revitalization from a Chicana/o/x affirmative framework. Dr. Zamarripa has presented at national and state level presentations/trainings in psychology and education on issues of Chicanx/Latinx well-being, cultural responsiveness, social justice, decolonization in psychology, psycho-social factors of academic achievement, and leadership. His publications (peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters) focus on counseling, assessment, and teaching of Chicanx and Latinx populations. His 20 years of clinical experience includes working with individual adults, adolescents, couples, and families in community and education settings (rural and urban) from varied economic and cultural backgrounds. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and approved supervisor and received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Counseling Psychology, his M.S. from Our Lady of the Lake in Counseling Psychology, and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in Psychology.       --

/*--> Learn more about the effects of trauma on the body, emotions, and behaviors, as well as how trauma shows up in schools during this 90-minute webinar. School-based prevention specialists and educators or administrators will learn more about how to co-develop trauma-informed compassionate school practices to create healing and resilience-oriented environments for students.   Presenter(s):  /*--> Martha Staeheli, PhD; Dana Asby, MA, MEd; Tara Young

The First Episode Psychosis (FEP) monthly mentor call hosted by the South Southwest MHTTC provides technical assistance and an open discussion platform for mental health workers offering services for FEP and clinical high risk populations. These virtual meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of every month via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/817083117.

This 75-webinar will feature a facilitated panel conversation among individuals in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges. ABOUT THE SESSION This is the second webinar of a 2-part series. The panelists will address questions related to the recovery process, the impact of trauma on recovery, posttraumatic growth, dealing with stigma and racial discrimination, harm reduction, and what they’d like behavioral health practitioners to consider in supporting recovery. They will also take questions from the audience.   FACILITATOR KEN KRAYBILL, MSW Ken Kraybill, MSW, Senior Trainer, has worked in healthcare, behavioral health, homelessness and housing for more than 35 years. He has 18 years of experience working as a behavioral health practitioner in homeless services. For the past two decades, Ken has been developing curricula and facilitating in-person and online training on topics including motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice, trauma-informed supervision, outreach and engagement, case management, critical time intervention, and resiliency and renewal for care providers.  

As part of our series focused on “Mental Health Self-Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic for Health Care Workers and First Responders,” this event will build upon Dr. Cunningham's New England MHTTC presentation on Sleep during COVID-19 from May 2020 by presenting some of the early findings from his longitudinal study, focusing on how sleep affects mood. It will also review approaches for improving sleep and thereby mental health. Presenter: Anthony Cunningham, PhD Dr. Cunningham's primary research focus is understanding the role of sleep and sleep loss in emotion and memory processing, and how knowledge of these systems can be applied to clinical populations and the development of new therapeutic treatments. His goal is to understand changes in underlying brain networks responsible for emotional processing following sleep loss and translate this knowledge into effective clinical interventions. Given that Dr. Cunningham's typical research has explored how both healthy sleep and acute sleep loss impact the perception and retention of emotional information and its associated physiological effect, he had the foresight that these systems might be in jeopardy from the very outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Cunningham launched one of the earliest studies (March 20, 2020) specifically designed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep and mood. The study includes months of daily surveys and larger assessments and is still continuing to collect longitudinal follow-ups at the time of presentation. This rich dataset that explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on factors related to mental health and well-being, such as sleep, stress, and mood, has also been made publicly available to other researchers via open access.

  Many of us are constantly engaging with difficult, if not outrightly violent circumstances in our work and yet have so little space to care for ourselves. In this workshop, participants will have an opportunity to turn inwards and center their well-being. Participants will read, write, and maybe even share, their poetics of healing and community care. Presenter: Nanee Sajeev Nanee Sajeev is Malayalee-American writer committed to learning and growing towards liberation. Nanee is a student of many artists and leaders, whether they have been in their physical classrooms or not: Safia Elhillo, Kaveh Akbar, Hanif Abdurraqib, Fatimah Asghar, Mariame Kaba and more. In this workshop, and in any other spaces that Nanee facilitates, they hope to center patience, care, and growth.

The Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center will hold its quarterly advisory board meeting virtually on December 8, 2021, from 9:00-11:00 am Pacific. A final sgenda will be circulated to advisory board members in advance of this meeting.  

Você está disposto a conversar sobre os serviços de saúde mental que está recebendo ou recebeu? Convidamos você para conversar sobre os desafios e experiências em apoiar seus familiares ou entes queridos com problemas de saúde mental? Estamos interessados em escutar e falar com você. Junte-se a nós para uma conversa virtual confidencial!     Os Centros de Transferência de Tecnologia em Saúde Mental o convidam para essa conversa virtual. Essas conversas são realizadas para entender melhor a sua experiências como familair ou amigo de pessoas com problemas de saúde mental. Essas conversas oferecem a oportunidade de ouvir e aprender com outras famílias sobre suas percepções culturais e experiências relacionadas ao transtorno mental. Usaremos essas informações para educar os profissionais de saúde mental para qualificar e apoiar o processo de recovery em saúde mental nas comunidades Brasileiras e Portuguesas.

Convidamos você para participar de uma conversa virtual com outros familiares que tem um membro da sua família ou ente querido com problemas de saúde mental. Você está disposto a conversar sobre os serviços de saúde mental que está recebendo ou recebeu? Convidamos você para conversar sobre os desafios e experiências em apoiar seus familiares ou entes queridos com problemas de saúde mental? Estamos interessados ​​em escutar e falar com você. Junte-se a nós para uma conversa virtual confidencial! Essa conversa será para as comunidades que falam a língua Portuguesa! Os Centros de Transferência de Tecnologia em Saúde Mental o convidam para essa conversa virtual. Essas conversas são realizadas para entender melhor a sua experiências como familair ou amigo de pessoas com problemas de saúde mental. Essas conversas oferecem a oportunidade de ouvir e aprender com outras famílias sobre suas percepções culturais e experiências relacionadas ao transtorno mental. Usaremos essas informações para educar os profissionais de saúde mental para qualificar e apoiar o processo de recovery em saúde mental nas comunidades Brasileiras e Portuguesas. 

Join leaders from Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs), SAMHSA, IHS, and the Native Center for Behavioral Health (NCBH) for a special Town Hall to discuss findings and define actionable steps to address the needs identified in the recent Qualitative Needs Assessments of Urban Indian Health Programs and Behavioral Health Providers Serving AI/AN Populations Pre- & Mid-COVID-19. This event is recommended for all UIO leaders or anyone supporting the UIO. 4-5 ET . 3-4 CT . 2-3 MT . 1-2 PT . 12-1 AKT

Mindful Movement is a 30 minute meditation space for individuals to ground themselves, release any built up tension, prepare for the week ahead, etc..   1:00-1:30pm CT Tuesdays   It will be led by Victoria Marie, Wáčhiŋhiŋ Máza Wíŋyaŋ (Iron Plume Woman) (https://indigenouslotus.com/about) and is for all school personnel to attend and benefit from.   The sessions will be recorded and can later be used for teachers to use as a resource whenever needed.   Questions? [email protected]  

  This session was recorded and you can view the recording and slides HERE.    Social and emotional learning (SEL) and life skills development through classroom activities and routines is foundational to students’ academic success. SEL is increasingly recognized as a component of promoting student engagement, positive school climate, and trauma sensitive schools. Many schools are especially noticing a need for SEL supports this school year, as students across the country are coping with variety of natural disasters, community stressors and disruptions to routine at school, home and in the community. At the same time, schools are busier than ever trying to catch students up academically and regain a sense of normalcy while simultaneously supporting student and staff needs. This session will highlight a targeted, feasible approach to implement SEL during a crisis with “SEL Kernels”. SEL Kernels are evidence-based, flexible, practical strategies to promote student SEL skill development, coping and resilience. In this learning session, we will detail the steps of assessing student SEL needs, identifying SEL Kernels to meet those needs, and implementing the SEL Kernels. Ms. Dawn Capes, a district leader from Bay District Schools, Florida will share how this approach is implemented as part of their Trauma Sensitive Classroom Project which started after Hurricane Michael. We will share resources including a teacher-reported SEL skill needs assessment survey, a free, searchable SEL Lessons Library, and relevant tools from Classroom Wise.     Learning Objectives   After this learning session, participants will be able to: Understand SEL skill domains and how to conduct a needs assessment to identify priority areas for student SEL skill development. Locate free or low-cost SEL lessons or practices that can be flexibly implemented by teachers with mental health staff coaching and consultation supports. Integrate SEL implementation approaches that are practical, feasible, and effective during times of crisis or community-wide stress.       About the speakers Elizabeth Connors, PhD Elizabeth Connors is an Assistant Professor at Yale University, Division of Prevention and Community Research and at the Child Study Center. She is also a faculty member with the University of Maryland National Center for School Mental Health, where she is the Director of Quality Improvement and a developer of The SHAPE System. Dr. Connors received her Ph.D. in Clinical Child and Community Psychology and her work focuses on improving access to high-quality mental health promotion, prevention and intervention services and supports for underserved children, adolescents, young adults and their families in critical access points such as schools and community settings. Michael Strambler, PhD Michael Strambler is an Associate Professor at Yale University, Division of Prevention and Community Research and Director of Child Well-Being and Education Research at The Consultation Center at Yale. Dr. Strambler received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and his work focuses on the role of social environments in the academic, psychological, social, and behavioral well-being of children and youth. He also studies whether and how school-based programs improve the academic performance and health of children. Dr. Strambler is an enthusiast of practical approaches to use data to inform practices and policies.          

Session Description: Session 3 will review the benefits of peer support, Core Peer Support Competencies, the Peer Support flow, and adopting a strengths-based focus.  Participants will learn about blocks to connecting and skills for effective engagement.   Presenter: Margaret (Peggy) Swarbrick, Ph.D., FAOTA | Research Professor & Associate Director, Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology  Dr. Swarbrick has worked for over 35 years in a variety of healthcare settings designing and evaluating innovative peer-delivered models and training programs that promote wellness and resilience. She has created an 8-dimensional Wellness Model adopted by behavioral healthcare agencies and state authorities across the country. In addition, she has developed a wellness coaching model and wellness Self-care Programs for a variety of populations including health professionals.  Dr. Swarbrick has published extensively on a wide range of topics including health disparities, the wellness model, and health promotion approaches.      

/*-->*/ /*--> In 2020 and 2021, we have all been impacted by significant stress and collective traumas. Compassionate schools are needed now more than ever for healing, equity, justice, and to support families, build student resiliency, and further emotional well-being and self-care for students and staff. Learn how your school communities can incorporate practices of the New England Childhood-Trauma Learning Collaborative, a group of educational leaders who are sharing resources, implementing heart centered compassionate practices, and leveraging their successes and collective efficacy.   Presenter(s): /*-->*/ /*--> Chris Mason, PhD Martha Staeheli, PhD Dana Asby, MA, MEd Kristen Levesque, EdD