Behavioral Health Resources - September 2021

Alaska DOH sent this bulletin at 09/01/2021 01:59 PM AKDT

September 1, 2021 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.

September brings fall colors as well as National Suicide Prevention Month, National Recovery Month and International FASD Awareness month! See below for events happening around the state.

Suicide Prevention & Postvention

Governor Proclaims September 5-11th "Suicide Prevention Week"

The proclamation from Governor Michael Dunleavy encourages "Alaskans to take this opportunity to speak up if they know someone who may be contemplating suicide or to seek help if they are in need, and to reaffirm their commitment to community, family, and life."

To read the full proclamation, click here.

Working with Community Members to Reduce Risk and Create More Protective Environments for Alaska Native Young People: Sharing Examples from Rural Alaska Qungasvik: Tools for Life and PC CARES: Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide

September 10, 12:00-1:00pm AKDT

The Alaska Statewide Suicide Prevention Council will host this webinar featuring Drs. Lisa Wexler and Stacy Rasmus of the Alaska Native Collaborative Hub for Research and Resilience. The session will describe culturally-responsive, asset-based, and community-oriented strategies to prevent youth suicide by bolstering local and family strengths while reducing risk. Developed with Alaska Native communities, Qungasvik and PC CARES offer distinct examples to demonstrate the promise of culturally-based, locally-determined and scientifically-informed efforts.

To download the shareable flyer click here.

To attend the webinar through zoom click here.

For audio only: 1 (253) 215-8782 Meeting ID: 825 0358 3037 Passcode: 2021

ANTHC September Suicide Prevention Activities, Including Resource Fair

ANTHC is hosting a series of events throughout September including a free online event providing an opportunity for all Alaskans to learn more about suicide prevention, programs offered, resources and to ask questions.

To see all the events click here.

To see the agenda and to register for the September 8th Resource Fair, click here.

Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Fundraiser Walk
September 11, 11:00am-1:00pm AKDT

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is hosting its annual fundraiser at the Chuck Albrecht Softball Complex in Anchorage. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The event will have informational booths and resources.

For more information contact Dustin Morris at dmorris@afsp.org, or Jeremy Landreth at jeremy.afspak@gmail.com.

To register for the walk click here.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Alaska Chapter September Webinars

The AFSP - AK Chapter will host multiple webinars on a variety of topics including the Talk Saves Lives suicide prevention model that will cover the general scope of suicide, research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide.

For more information and webinar details and dates, visit: https://afsp.org/chapter/alaska#events

“Messages of Hope” to celebrate Suicide Prevention Month 2021

Alaska may have the one of the highest rates of suicide per capita in the country, but thousands of people across the state have vowed to work toward reducing that figure and creating a healthier, happier, and brighter Alaska for future generations. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development is encouraging students, parents across Alaska to create signs, posters and other ‘Messages of Hope” to share positive aspects in their lives that highlight why living is important to them. This could be as simple as printing positive messaging posters and putting them in school windows, using them in daily communications with students and families, or putting them in students’ take-home packets/lunches.

For more information, click here.

_{Alaska Careline}
_{For someone to talk to, call anytime:}
_{1-877-266-4357 (HELP) or text 4help to 839863}
_{3-11 p.m. Tue-Sat}

_{American Foundation for Suicide Prevention}

_{National Suicide Prevention Lifeline}

_{Suicide Prevention Resource Center}

_{PC CARES}

Substance Misuse Prevention, Treatment & Recovery

First Annual Remembrance and Recovery via Prevention Event, Wasilla Lake Park
September 1, 11:00am-7:00pm AKDT -TODAY!

Mat-Su Opioid Task Force is hosting a recovery fair with community treatment service providers available to offer information and answer questions regarding recovery from substance use disorders. There will be food, games and fellowship as well as a booth for getting the COVID-19 vaccine. There will be a Narcan administration training at 4:00pm and Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer (HSS) will speak at 5:00pm. Join the recovery community to say, “ You are not alone!”

Using Mobile Apps for Treating Co-occurring Eating & Substance Use Disorders
September 3, 8:00-9:30am AKDT

Substance use disorders often occur alongside eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. This webinar will provide strategies for effectively conceptualizing and treating this comorbid patient presentation. There will be a focus on the implementation of digital tools to support treatment goals and increase patient motivation, which has become paramount in the context of remote care delivery. The majority of the presentation will focus on psychotherapeutic interventions, with an emphasis on evidence-based strategies. This course has a $25.00 fee.

To register, please click here.

_{Alaska Office of Substance Misuse & Addiction Prevention}

_{Recover Alaska}

_{Alaska's Tobacco Quit Line}

_{Never Use Alone}

^{Alcoholics Anonymous Alaska Statewide Meetings}

_{Narcotics Anonymous Zoom Meetings}

_RADACT

_{Project ECHO}

_{UW Medicine Pain and Opioid Consult Hotline for Providers}

_{Treatment Connection}

Neurobehavioral

FASD Awareness Month Events & Resources

The Alaska Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Partnership website lists events and resources for families and caregivers of individuals with FASD. Highlights include: What Everyone Should Know About Prenatal Alcohol Exposure; 30 Ways and 30 Days; Red Shoes Rock; Think Before You Drink poster; Let’s Talk Alaska; 8 Magic Keys video and more.

To learn more, click here.

FASD Into Action Training
September 27-October 1, 5:00-8:00pm AKDT

This 5-day training hosted by Stone Soup Group, offers an overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), understanding diagnosis, and positive techniques for working with children and adults who experience a FASD.

To learn more or register click here.

9 Core Messages: What Everyone Should Know About Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

This tool offers basic FASD information, brain and physical impacts, common characteristics (including strengths and challenges), importance of diagnosis and early intervention, prevalence, strategies for success, prevention, advocacy, and resources.

To review, click here.

Video Series: FASD Across The Lifespan

This seven-part series for caregivers covers the impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure across the lifespan from infancy through adulthood.

To access, click here.

_{Alaska Office of Substance Misuse & Addiction Prevention - FASD}

_{Alaska Center for Children and Adults - Thursday FASD Support and Discussion Group}

_{Families Affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FAFASD)}

_{Red Shoes Rock: Awareness Campaign}

Mental Health

Resiliency2021
September 9, 8:00am-12:00pm AKDT

Resiliency2021 is a free live-streaming webinar, with over 25 celebrities speaking for a few minutes each. Speakers include mental health experts, clinicians, inspirational speakers, and musical artists. The mission of Resiliency2021 is to bring together inspirational speakers to empower, inspire, and discover techniques to bounce back and thrive during this life-changing time in history.

To register please click here.

Advancing Awareness in LGBTQ Care, Part IV: Shaping Affirming Responses for Historically “Invisibilized” LGBTQIA+ Populations"
September 17, 8:00-9:30am AKDT

This presentation will discuss the influence of homophobia, transphobia, and queer aversion within historical, societal, and personal contexts with a focus on the necessity to craft culturally-responsive treatment methods for the LGBTQIA+ community. How can clinicians learn from and utilize present-day attention and historical “invisibilization,” stigma, and shame to develop affirming treatment approaches for LGBTQIA+ people seeking care in their community?

For more information and to register, please click here.

Emotion-Focused Family Therapy Virtual Conference for Providers & Skills Workshop for Parents & Caregivers
September 23-25, Starting at 9:00am AKDT

The Alaska Eating Disorder Alliance (AKEDA) is hosting a two-day conference for Alaska mental health providers, therapists, case managers, and others who work with parents and caregivers of children with eating disorders and other mental health challenges. The conference will be followed by a day of skill-building for parents and caregivers.

For more information and to register for either event, click here.

ANTHC- Telehealth Behavioral Health Wellness Clinic Opens

This new clinic aims to increase access to behavioral health care for Indian Health Service-eligible Alaskans, in partnership with Tribal health partners across the state. All services are private and confidential. Services include assessments, counseling, health coaching, and referrals.

For more information about the clinic please click here.

Mental Health Support in Alaska Schools: A Landscape Assessment Released

In December 2020, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and partners from the State of Alaska Departments of Education & Early Development (DEED) and Health & Social Services (DHSS) gathered feedback from stakeholders on visioning and working toward improved mental health supports and services for Alaskan students. A primary takeaway was the need for more information on current school mental and behavioral health activities and services to help project partners determine how to best focus their future efforts.

Thirty-one districts completed interviews, representing 91% of students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 as of October 2020. Participants included district leadership, counselors, social workers, and other staff.

To read the full report click here.

_{Alaska First Responders 24-hour Relief Line}
_{1-844-985-8275

Crisis counseling and general support for healthcare and behavioral professionals}

_{Alaska Careline}
_{For someone to talk to, call anytime:}
_{1-877-266-4357 (HELP) or text 4help to 839863}
_{3-11 p.m. Tue-Sat}

_{National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Alaska}

_{Alaska Division of Behavioral Health Well-Being Alaska}

_{Alaska Training Cooperative}

_{Alaska Behavioral Health Trainings}

_{Alaska Partnership Access Line (PAL-PAK) for Prescribing Providers}

Justice Involved

Webinar: Mitigating Behavioral Health Disparities: Using Culturally Relevant Approaches to Support Native American People Who Are Justice Involved
September 2, 9:30-11:30am AKDT

This webinar, hosted by the SAMHSA GAINS Center, will present considerations and recommendations for developing culturally-relevant programming for tribal members who are justice-involved. Information about tailoring programming to the cultural needs of specific tribes, inter-tribal communities, and other indigenous groups will be provided within the context of the complex relationships between historic and intergenerational trauma, mental and substance use disorders, and criminal justice involvement.

To register, click here.

_{Department of Corrections}

^{Alaska Reentry Partnership}

_{CDC Guidelines for Correctional and Detention Facilities}

_{Supporting Our Loved Ones Group}

_{Partners for Progress}

_{Alaska Native Justice Center}

_{GAINS Center}

Other Resources/Opportunities

If you know of a great resource or opportunity, send us an email and we'll try our best to include it here or in a section above.

Public Comment Needed: Expanding Telehealth and Other Telecommunications Technologies for Behavioral and Mental Health Care

Submit comments by September 13th

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have put out a rule titled CY22 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. There are two issues rolled into one proposed rule: Telehealth provisions and Medicare reimbursement. Medicare reimbursement is set to be reduced by 3.89% in 2022. But this rule is of interest to all providers because it also has significant implications for telehealth moving forward. In the telehealth arena, CMS is proposing to reduce reimbursement for telehealth, including audio only telehealth, once the Public Health Emergency is ended.

To read the press release click here.
To submit formal public comment click here.

Alaska Job Fairs, Recruitment and Workshops Website

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development hosts this website listing open recruitments and employment opportunities.

To visit the website click here.

There is also a Statewide Summer Virtual Job Fair website. To learn more, click here.

_{Rural Health Information Hub}

^{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?

_Sen_{d An Email}_{Or Call 1-907-465-8920}_{Toll-free 1-888-464-8920}

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