Behavioral Health Resources - November 2020

November 6, 2020 Resource Bulletin

Monthly Alaska, National & International Resources and Key Updates on:
Justice Involved  | Mental Health
Substance Misuse & Recovery  |  
Suicide Prevention & Postvention  |   
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Miss our last email? Past e-bulletins are posted in the left column on both the ABADA and AMHB websites.

Virtual Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR) for Direct Service Providers

This 6-month training from the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC), is for direct service providers such as case managers, outreach workers, shelter/housing staff, peer specialists and other behavioral health staff who do not already hold a graduate degree.

SPR is an evidence-informed intervention designed to help individuals gain skills to reduce ongoing distress, promote resilience, and effectively cope in the weeks and months following a disaster or crisis. 

To learn more about MHTTC and this opportunity, click here: https://mhttcnetwork.org/centers/northwest-mhttc/new-learning-community-open-applications-skills-psychological-recovery-spr

New App: My Mental Health Crisis Plan

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) has released a new mobile app that allows people with serious mental illness to guide their treatment during a mental health crisis. The app provides an easy, step-by-step process for individuals to create and share a psychiatric advance directive (PAD), and allows individuals to clearly state treatment preferences, designated proxies, identify who to notify in the event of a mental health crisis, and share the plan with others, including doctors, family and friends.

For more information and to download the app, click: https://smiadviser.org/mymhcp?utm_source=SAMHSA_social

Request for Information (RFI): Fostering Innovative Research to Improve Mental Health Outcomes Among Minority and Health Disparities Populations
Deadline for submissions, December 11

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is seeking input about innovative research priorities to improve mental health outcomes among minority and health disparities populations in the U.S. The NIMH is deeply committed to improving minority health outcomes and addressing mental health disparities through cutting-edge research.

All comments must be submitted via email as text or as an attached electronic document. Responses should be addressed to: nimhodwd@nih.gov. Please include the Notice number (NOT-MH-20-073) in the subject line.

For more information click here: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-20-073.html

Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) Suicide Prevention Training
Education Half-day: November 9 or 16; and
Role Play Full-day: November 10, 12, or 17

The State of Alaska Department of Health & Social Services has partnered with the Alaska Training Cooperative and the University of Alaska Anchorage for a free CAMS training for mental health professionals. The CAMS Framework has been proven through multiple clinical trials to be the best assessment, intervention, and treatment to reduce suicide ideation. Participants will receive 10 free CEs but must register to attend, and seats are limited. 

To download the flyer, click here.

For more information or to register visit: www.aktclms.org/Training/Class/103817

NIMH Research Highlight: Family Safety Net - Developing an Upstream Suicide Prevention Approach to Encourage Safe Firearm Storage in Rural and Remote Alaskan Homes

In rural Alaska Native (AN) communities, many homes have multiple guns for traditional subsistence activities, which increases suicide risk significantly. In the region where this study takes place, youth suicide rates (all methods) are 18 higher times than that of other adolescents in the U.S. Lisa Wexler, Ph.D., a professor of social work and research professor in the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, is leading a study that will inform the development of the Family Safety Net (FSN), a public health approach that engages adult family members of youth in increasing their home safety. Done during regularly-scheduled primary care clinic visits, the FSN will integrate important culturally specific considerations to support, encourage, and assess safe firearm storage practices relevant to AN families.

For more information about this and other NIMH-funded research projects for firearms injury and mortality prevention click here: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/research-highlights/2020/nimh-awards-funding-for-research-on-preventing-firearm-injury-and-mortality.shtml

Free Webinar on Suicide Prevention for Veteran Community
November 10, 11:00am AKST

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is hosting this webinar. Shauna Rust, professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, and AFSP will discuss federal suicide legislation for Veterans, state legislative initiatives, and how to support federal and state policy priorities to prevent Veteran suicide. 

For more information or to register visit: https://www.congressweb.com/signup/?id=F32CE9ED-5056-9235-141B12FC04FF5479

Report: Nationwide Anxiety and Depression Continues to Rise 

The number of people reporting anxiety and depression nationwide continues to rise during the coronavirus pandemic and hit an all-time high in September that affected young people the hardest, according to an annual report released by Mental Health America. Anxiety screens were up 634% from January, and depression screens were up 873%, according to the report.

For more information visit: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/10/20/2111263/0/en/Number-of-people-reporting-anxiety-and-depression-nationwide-since-start-of-pandemic-hit-all-time-high-in-September-hitting-young-people-hardest.html

Co-Occurring Behavioral Health, Opioid and Stimulant Use Disorders ECHO
1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays, 12-1:00pm AKST, November 4^th – April 21, 2021

ECHO offers a virtual network of real-time access to experts through interactive case-based learning. ECHO gives participants the opportunity to take an active role in rich dialogue in an interdisciplinary teaching and learning environment. This ECHO is suggested for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family therapists, Social Workers, Masters of Addiction Counselors, and Addiction Specialists.

For more information and to register click here: https://echo.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEof--rrzsoHtONQm6qOG5QOmBcI1v23329

Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor Training (RADACT) Zoom Trainings FY2021

RADACT is offering online trainings for substance use disorder providers from October to December which includes class on the ASAM model, Introduction to Group Therapy, Working with Diverse Populations, and more. There are registration costs to attend these and to see the full schedule and register, please go to: https://www.radact.com/

University of Washington Medicine Pain and Opioid Consult Hotline: 1-844-520-PAIN (7246)

Thanks to a partnership between the State of Alaska and the University of Washington, UW Medicine pain pharmacists and physicians are available Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM AKST (excluding holidays) to provide clinical advice at no charge to Alaska providers. 

Providers may receive consultations for treating patients with complex pain medication regimens, particularly high dose opioids. This can include individualized opioid taper plans; systematic management of withdrawal syndrome; evaluation/recommendation of non-opioid/adjuvant analgesic treatment; triage and risk screening; individualized case consultation for client care and medication management; and explanations of Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) opioid guidelines.

For more information: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Director/Pages/opioids/prescribers.aspx

Alaska Partnership Access Line (PAL-PAK) for Prescribing Providers: 1-855-599-7257

The Partnership Access Line – Pediatric Alaska (PAL-PAK) offers free immediate support to pediatric care providers (doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) in Alaska who have questions about child and adolescent mental healthcare, such as diagnostic clarification, medication adjustment or treatment planning. Providers can call Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 4:00pm AKST, to be directly connected to a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

Consultations can be patient specific or can be general questions related to child psychiatry. The phone consultation is covered by HIPAA, section 45 CFR 164.506; no additional release of patient information is required.

Video Series: Healing Trauma and Addiction

Dr. Maté is an internationally-known Canadian physician and author who has worked directly in field of addiction for 45 years. In this video series, he goes step-by-step through how to conduct workshops for families and individuals in need of support, as well as insights into trauma and working with addiction. Dr. Maté thoughtfully demonstrates how to develop awareness, compassion, and tools for effective healing. 

For more information, click here: 
https://www.wholehearted.org/sign-up-page-healing-trauma-addiction/  

Research Paper: Self Care Linked to Greater Confidence in Parents of Children With FASD  

This paper describes caregiver strategies for self-care and the obstacles and barriers parents face raising their children with FASD while trying to care for themselves effectively.

To read the paper, go here: https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/fasd-caregivers-self-care-linked-to-greater-confidence-in-parents-414942

Virtual Film Screening: “America’s Second Chance Citizens” and Public Forum
November 5, 6PM AKST

The Kenai Peninsula Reentry Coalition is hosting a virtual event that highlights the challenges and successes men and women face when they return to their communities after incarceration. The documentary follows a man who gets a second chance when one employer gives him a job, allowing him to support his family and live successfully in his community. The screening will be followed by a public forum with guests representing local organizations that serve reentrants. Public comments, questions, and concerns surrounding all things reentry are welcome. 

Click here for the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89603569000 

National Drug Court Institute (NDCI) Treatment Provider Trainings
November 16^th & December 2-3^rd

NDCI, in partnership with the American Society of Addiction Medicine and with support from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, is offering trainings for substance use disorder treatment professionals working with clients involved in the justice system. These trainings are for anyone currently delivering or supervising the delivery of addiction treatment, co-occurring disorder services or clinical case management to adult participants in treatment courts, on community supervision or otherwise involved in the justice system.

For more information, please go to: https://www.ndci.org/resource/training/treatment-provider-training/

‘Super Advocate’ Virtual Advocacy Training
November 14 or 18, 9:00am-3:30pm AKST 

This one-day training conducted over Zoom, offers tools and hands-on practice for advocating for state and local public policy and funding decisions that affect people with mental illness, substance use disorders, and intellectual/developmental disabilities including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. The training is offered to peers and people with lived experience, family members, providers of services and administrators. Topics include:

• Tools for successful meetings with policymakers
• Tips for speaking on a public panel or before a public committee
• Refining personal stories for the most impact
• Tips for advocating from home
• Updates on current issues

Individuals can register for either date. There will be a one-hour lunch break and plenty of interactive and engaging activities.

To download the flyer click here.

To register, email advocacy.coordinator@mhtrust.org, or call 907-465-4765.

Vertical Harvest- “Hearts of Glass” Film and Disability Employment Panel
November 12, 4:00pm AKST

In recognition of Disability Employment Month and the 100^th anniversary of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Alaska Mental Health Trust, AK Department of Education and Early Development, the Governor’s Council on Disabilities, and AMHB/ABADA are proud to present “Hearts of Glass”, a documentary following Vertical Harvest, a state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse in Wyoming that provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities.

In addition, there will be a virtual panel discussion on disability employment with the filmmaker, individuals featured in the film and Alaskan disability employment advocates.

To download the flyer, click here.

To register for the virtual discussion, please go to: https://alaska.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dzKPxn_FQZaNE5pN79GCuA

Thanks to the Alaska Mental Health Trust you can watch the film online for free until November 13^th at: https://watch.showandtell.film/watch/alaska

Public Comment: Proposed State Plan for the Developmental Disabilities Council of Alaska
Deadline for Comments December 5, 5:00pm AKST

The Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education (Council) is seeking feedback on the proposed state plan of goals and objectives for its work as the Developmental Disabilities Council for Alaska. The plan was developed as a result of virtual community forums and a web survey asking similar questions of thousands of Alaskans.

To read the plan, click here: http://dhss.alaska.gov/gcdse/Documents/StatePlanGoalsObjectives--2022-2026.pdf

Public comment can be submitted via email to anne.applegate@alaska.gov or by clicking here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JS6WF3H

Survey: Developmental Disabilities (DD) Systems Collaborative Shared Vision Survey

The Developmental Disabilities (DD) Systems Collaborative, a network of organizations and individuals working on Alaska’s Shared Vision, are gathering information on the impact of their work. This information will be used for planning as well as deciding where to invest time and resources. The first 100 individuals with a developmental disability that respond to this survey will be sent a DD Shared Vision mask as a thank you.

Link to survey for individuals with a developmental disability: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLQXC7L

Link for survey for service providers, staff, state agency, parents or individuals with other involvement with disability issues: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D9Q2PGZ

Two Open Seats on the Alaska Mental Health Board (AMHB)

AMHB is looking to fill two open Board seats for a mental health professional and an attorney. AMHB works with the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ABADA) to advocate for programs and services that promote health, independent, productive Alaskans.

These advisory boards meet at least two times per year, with opportunities for members to serve on other Board committees and other volunteer opportunities. Appointments to the AMHB are made by the Governor.

To apply please visit: https://gov.alaska.gov/services/boards-and-commissions/apply-for-a-board-appointment/

Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Seeking Trustee Applicants

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is looking for qualified applicants to join its board of trustees. The Trust provides leadership in the advocacy, planning, implementing, and catalytic funding of services to improve Alaska’s mental health system, and seeks to improve the lives of its beneficiaries.

Membership on this dynamic board is based on ability in financial management and investment, in land management, or in services for the beneficiaries of the Trust. Applicants cannot have previously worked for an organization or served on a board of an organization that received a grant or contract from the Trust within the last two years.

After a candidate vetting process, appointments to the Trust are made by the Governor and approved by the Alaska Legislature.

To apply please visit: https://gov.alaska.gov/services/boards-and-commissions/apply-for-a-board-appointment/

^{Visit Us:}

^{Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse} 

^{Alaska Mental Health Board}   

^{Statewide Suicide Prevention Council}

_{431 N. Franklin Street, Suite 203 | Juneau, Alaska 99801}

Questions? Comments? 

<sub>Send An Email

Or Call 1-907-465-8920

Toll-free 1-888-464-8920</sub>