NatCon23 Solutions Guide

Solutions Guide

TheNationalCouncil.org/NatCon23SolutionsGuide

THANK YOU to Our Sponsors

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Behavioral Health Link

TABLE OF CONTENTS Thank You to Our Sponsors ..............................2

2022 Annual Member Insights Report.......19

MTM Services............................................................4

Netsmart...................................................................20

The Benefits of National Council Membership...............................................................5

Supporting Youth Mental Wellbeing............21

NatCon23 Exhibitors.............................................6 CCBHC Success Center.......................................7 Heart and Hard Work in Guam.........................8 innovaTel Telepsychiatry................................... 10 Increasing Access to Care Through Advocacy................................................................... 11

Takeda.........................................................................21 Streamline Healthcare........................................22 Mental Health First Aid Doctoral Student Grants.......................................................23 National Council Consulting and Training Tip..............................................................23 Addressing Burnout in Crisis Services........24

Relias............................................................................ 11

The Pew Charitable Trusts...............................25

Janssen Neuroscience.........................................12

Middle Management Academy.....................26

Helping You Help Others...................................13

American Hospital Association.....................26

Mental Health First Aid......................................14

National Council Consultants........................27

Become a Mental Health First Aid Instructor...................................................................15

Save the Date: Hill Day 2023..........................28

MHRRG and Negley Associates....................16 988 and 911: Similarities and Differences................................................................17 Thank You to Our Corporate Partners........18 Connecting Individuals in Need to Care............................................................19

Lundbeck..................................................................28 Thank You to Our National Council Partners................................29 The National Council Partnership Program............................................30 Save the Date: NatCon24................................30

NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org

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The Benefits of National Council Membership When you join the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, you’re not just joining a community of nearly 3,100 health care leaders – you’re adding your voice to a rallying cry to increase access to high-quality, comprehensive care across the country. And we give you the tools to be heard.

As a member, you, your staff and your board members will have access to a comprehensive array of tools, resources, networks and content to boost your leadership, build your workforce, improve your service delivery and increase your impact. Here’s a glimpse of the value available to you:

Access to Experts: Drawing from a diverse breadth of knowledge and experience, the National Council Medical Director Institute can advise you on best clinical practices and policy.

Practice Improvement: Take advantage of our renowned onsite and virtual consulting, training and technical assistance offerings, all at a discounted member rate.

CCBHC Support: Learn how to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) through our CCBHC Success Center, a digital hub offering tools and trainings.

Thought Leadership: Access premium content throughout the year – from exclusive publications to virtual learning events, newsletters, blog posts and more.

Mental Health Literacy: Invest in your staff through Mental Health First Aid, a skills-based training course, and become an Instructor at a discounted rate.

Tools and Resources: Take advantage of our tools, resources and learning materials to boost your service delivery and maximize your impact in the community.

Want to learn more about the benefits available to you as a National Council member? Download our flyer or contact us at MembershipTeam@TheNationalCouncil.org today!

NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org

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NATCON23 EXHIBITORS Accreditation Guru, Inc.

221

Community Data Roundtable 1337

Iris Telehealth

1101

PUPS Check In

310

Accumedic

1014

Compass Health Network

1009

ISC Group

1113

Qualifacts

1001

Aegis Sciences Corporation

1300

Compliatric

941

Concord Technologies

1013

1534

1528

408

Janssen Neuroscience Medical Affairs

R1 Learning

Afia, Inc.

Relias

501

Aidan Health Inc.

1117

Connections Health Solutions 520

Alcoholics Anonymous

1203

ContinuumCloud

521

Alera Health

313

Cope Notes

409

Aliya Health Group

939

Core Solutions Inc.

527

Alkermes

634

Coronis Health

1234

Altruix

923

Coviu

648

American Bedding MFG, Inc

134

646

CredibleMind

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

551

Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc.

238

Array Behavioral Care

137

Crisis Text Line

324

Assurance4You

236

Deerfield Solutions, LLC

917

Backline Care

326

designRoom

517

Bamboo Health

512

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health

1116

Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. 1335 Journeyworks Publishing

240

Juno Health, a division of DSS, Inc.

927

Kathryn Janicek Productions

416

Kipu

608

Leidos

215

LocumTenens.com

510

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health - Substance Abuse Prevention & Control 417 McLean Hospital

1409

Med USA

526

Mental Health Risk Retention Group/Negley Associates 301

Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy

614

eClinicalWorks

309

BEE Medic

1508

EHR Your Way

1334

Behavioral Health Link

223

Eleos Health

921

Behavioral Health Outcomes Data Services 949

EnSoftek Inc./DrCloudEHR

308

Behavioral Health RCM Solutions, LLC

Faces & Voices of Recovery

412

1108

Behavioral Health Response

317

FDA Center for Tobacco Products

423

BioXcel Therapeutics

1038

First Nonprofit

513

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Five Element Analytics LLC

Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation

1114

BRITE Resources LLC

947

Butler Human Services Furniture

1109

California Behavioral Health Planning Council

413

CannonDesign

414

Cantata Health Solutions

621

Carelon Behavioral Health

1027

CARF International

1111

CCNY, Inc.

909

CE-Classes.com

1050

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

311

CHESS Health

327

Chestnut Ridge Foam, Inc

537

Chetu, Inc

322

Children’s Health Council

314

Chorus Innovations, Inc

1035

CIT International

1429

CohnReznick LLP

1436

Commonly Well

1134

Revolution Office

217

RSM US, LLP

1216

Safe Parking LA

1536

Sage

1434

Secure Telehealth Inc.

1304

SigBee

951

Sigmund Software

135

Social Current

616

Solari Crisis & Human Services 320 Stars Behavioral Health Group 139 Streamline Healthcare Solutions

635

Talkable Communities

541

Telecare Corporation

427

1302

Teva Pharmaceuticals

138

Motivo

509

The Flawless Bar

1015

MTM Services

401

Mutual of America

1135

The Global Exchange Conference

1037

MyCare

321

The Joint Commission

644

The Meyers Group

945

TheraManager

1115

514

429

Therapy Brands

901

Nationwide Mutual Insurance 136

Fivebase, LLC

915

THIRA Health

415

FTI Consulting

937

Navigator Group Purchasing, Inc.

411

Togetherall

316

Genoa Healthcare

627

Neenan Company

1411

Topaz Systems Inc.

935

Genoa Telepsychiatry

827

Netsmart

601

Triad

1017

Govig and Associates

225

NextGen Healthcare

Molina Healthcare

821

Trust Risk Management Services

213

NextStep Solutions

1010

TRX Development Solutions

545

GUARD1 by TimeKeeping Systems, Inc.

1329

Oceans Healthcare

1112

Guardian Pharmacy

1227

OPTT Health

312

TTF Healthcare Search and Staffing

211

Hatch Compliance

1201

Otsuka

1212

USDTL

1214

Otsuka

224

UST

1428

Otto Trading Inc.

227

Valor Healthcare

1327

Owl

535

Vanguard Research Group

640

Pacific Clinics

549

Vertilocity

421

Patagonia Health

547

Vibrant Emotional Health

1526

Pioneer Solution, Inc

1110

Videra Health

315

Powered Living Inc.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation 1034 HENKA LLC

508

Humana Healthy Horizons

638

iCentrix Analytics

911

INCITE Consulting Solutions

410

InfoMC

522

innovaTel Telepsychiatry

611

Integrated Prescription Management

328

Integrated Telehealth Partners 1137 InteliChart

1235

IPC - Integrated Psychiatric Consultants

515

1205

Prepare U Mental Health Education

Walden University/Chamberlain University 1048

539

Wellnext Group

516

Proem Behavioral Health

1136

Winbrook

1435

Protocall Services

511

Public Consulting Group

141

Zero Suicide Institute at Education Development Center 913

Pulse For Good

1437

ZMark Health

636

CCBHC SUCCESS CENTER

The CCBHC model is bringing sustainable financing to the safety net—and rapidly expanding throughout the nation.

Get Started in Your State

The National Council CCBHC team is here to help!

Advice on state options for CCBHC implementation Lessons learned from other states and clinics that have gone through the CCBHC transition

Implementation “roadmap”

Training for current and prospective CCBHCs

Connect with the SAMHSA CCBHC-E National Training and Technical Assistance Center, a support hub for current grantees

Guidance on this year’s open grant opportunities for CCBHC implementation

Data, informational materials, and more

Visit the CCBHC Success Center for more information Email us at: CCBHC@TheNationalCouncil.org

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Heart and Hard Work in Guam Anything is possible when heart meets hard work. Just ask Aja Ramos, LICSW, Senior Vice President of WestCare Pacific Islands, a National Council member organization operating in Guam and Palau. We spoke with Ramos about the work her organization is doing, treatment in the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community and service delivery as a U.S. territory.

How is your organization helping people on your island thrive?

“WestCare Pacific Islands embodies our mission of uplifting the human spirit in everything we do. Working from our heart space, our team provides critical services to help our communities support recovery and build resilience.

We offer services in the areas of homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing, substance use and mental health treatment with youth and adults, employment services for veterans experiencing a housing crisis, youth substance use and teen pregnancy prevention. All of this helps to enhance the human services infrastructure on our islands.”

Can you share a success story that speaks to your community impact?

“When our island shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our teams quickly rallied to support our clients, while also maintaining safety. Since we were serving veterans experiencing homelessness, we needed to find

ways to ensure they were housed and that their basic needs were met. Our team used their creativity to place our veterans into emergency housing, forging new relationships with local hotels who were struggling due to the collapse of the tourism industry. They were able to negotiate their stays, which included meals and laundry.

“Additionally, our Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) team partnered with local farmers to distribute fresh produce, along with other pantry items. Our team provided curbside delivery for both current and former clients who were struggling due to job loss. These efforts were recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs SSVF as an exemplary practice during a time of global crisis.”

What challenges do you face as a treatment provider in a U.S. territory?

“I think people would be surprised to learn about the scarcity of resources available to U.S. territories, due to our political status. Although we are part of the U.S., we are not afforded the same levels of support from the federal government because we are not officially a ‘state.’ In Guam, we only have one layer of government. The state, county and city structure does not exist on our islands. Because of this, our systems are lacking, making it more difficult to serve clients in a comprehensive fashion due to gaps in the continuum of care.

“Homelessness, for example, is hard to address when you only have one shelter – or no shelter – on an entire island. Substance use is also hard to treat when there are only two providers and the wait time for help can last months. Across our services, we’re always thinking ‘outside the box’ and trying to bridge the gaps to help facilitate recovery and resilience.”

How is treatment delivery unique in the AAPI community?

“There are cultural aspects that make treatment, mostly funded by federal dollars, unique. We are often asked to implement models of care or evidence-based programs that have not been studied or tested with our population.

We see this with many curriculum-based interventions where the concepts, language and value base are rooted in dominant cultural norms. These often either do not translate to the cultural values of our islands or are missing components that would strengthen treatment for our residents, such as inclusion of extended families, traditional healing and faith.”

What do you enjoy most about the important work you’re doing?

“We value and enjoy seeing the individuals and families we serve lead more fulfilling and stable lives. Being a tightknit community, it brings us great joy to bear witness to the impact of our services through the stories shared by our clients, their families and our partners.”

What’s the most exciting thing you’re working on right now?

“I would say the expansion of our work in our sister islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Our history and culture are inextricably linked; we rely on each other for resources and support.

The movement of people seeking care for physical and mental health needs between our islands is fluid. Our goal is to establish treatment services in the CNMI that help meet the needs of the community and complement existing on-island capacities. Meeting with the people of the Northern Marianas, I was moved by the dedication, creativity and passion they bring when serving the people, and I was inspired to be part of it in any small way.”

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Increasing Access to Care through Advocacy Our nation is grappling with multiple mental health and substance use crises. Lack of access to lifesaving care, record-high overdose rates, dramatic increases in suicidal ideation and a mental health workforce shortage are just some of the daunting challenges we face as a community.

But there is hope. And there is help. We can turn the tide by pushing for solutions that expand access to care, when and where people need it. Interested in supporting the National Council’s efforts to move lifesaving legislation across the finish line? Here are a few ways you can get started:

Contact Your Elected Officials: Take two minutes to urge your elected officials to expand access to mental health and substance use care. No sign up is required.

Become an Advocate: Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts to be notified of opportunities to contact your elected officials on key bills moving through Congress.

Download Our Handbook: Access tips, tricks and templates for becoming a mental health and substance use treatment advocate in your community.

Sign Up for Capitol Connector: Stay informed of breaking news related to federal mental health and substance use policy via our weekly newsletter.

Learn more about the National Council’s policy priorities and our work to ensure equitable access to high-quality care, build the capacity of mental health and substance use treatment organizations, and promote a greater understanding of mental wellbeing in communities across the country.

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HELPING YOU HELP OTHERS The National Council is your partner in change and committed to supporting excellence across the field.

Our in-person and virtual consulting services can help you move forward today and position yourself for a better, stronger and more effective tomorrow. Here’s a preview:

Case-to-Care Management: Position your organization for success in the changing health care landscape by taking the lead in case-tocare management.

CCBHC Consulting: Our consultants are ready to help you prepare to meet CCBHC requirements in finance, service delivery and partner collaboration with customized consulting offerings.

Community Health Worker: This training seeks to expand the skills and expertise of community health workers to support people with co-occurring issues.

Integrated Health Consulting: Learn from real-world experiences to make your organization more effective and efficient in providing sustainable integrated services.

Middle Management Academy (MMA): MMA is the only program of its kind to develop future health care leaders into strong links in the management chain.

Motivational Interviewing (MI): MI is an evidence-based conversation style designed to help the other person strengthen and support their motivation and commitment for change.

Practice Transformation Academy: Accelerate your organization’s transformation and improve the value you bring to clients, payers and communities with this training.

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT): Strengthen the quality of your clinical care and prevent the unhealthy consequences of alcohol and drug use among clients.

Trauma-informed, Resilience-oriented, Equity-focused Systems (TIROES): TIROES is an organizational culture, structure and treatment framework built on understanding, recognizing and responding to trauma.

Whole Health Action Management (WHAM): Developed by peers, for peers, WHAM empowers peer services providers to support the whole health of clients and promote physical and mental health.

Interested in learning more about our consulting services? Want to sign up for a national training or one customized for your organization? Contact us or visit our webpage to submit a request.

NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org 13

Recovery is Possible and You Can Be the Difference 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness each year.*

Will you be prepared to take action? Confidently respond to someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge by getting certified in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).

This evidence-based course uses community-specific scenarios, activities and videos to teach you how to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges, as well as provide initial support until appropriate professional help is received.

Reduce stigma.

Learn an Action Plan to identify and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges.

Increase mental health and substance use literacy.

Find a Course or Become an MHFA Instructor TODAY! Visit MentalHealthFirstAid.org for details and to find the course that’s right for you.

Trusted by individuals and leading companies nationwide.

“So many people are out there wishing for something better, hoping help will show up. That’s what Mental Health First Aid is – it’s help to get people connected to care and ultimately to a better place.”

– Tousha Paxton-Barnes

Want to learn more? Contact us at Hello@MentalHealthFirstAid.org! *Key substance use and mental health indicators in the U.S.: Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2016.

BECOME A MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID INSTRUCTOR

As the number of Americans facing mental health and substance use challenges grows, it is imperative that we equip communities with the skills to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms that indicate someone may need help. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) does just that.

MHFA Instructors are the key to spreading this vital and practical training across the country. Our certified Instructors are on the frontlines of the MHFA program helping to make mental wellbeing, including recovery from substance use, a reality for everyone, everywhere.

Anyone with a passion for wellbeing can make a difference, and no specific academic or professional credentials are required to become a MHFA Instructor. Here are four reasons to get certified: 1. Strengthen Communities: According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. This means essentially everyone knows someone affected by a mental health or substance use challenge.

By becoming a MHFA Instructor, you can not only help create a safe space where open dialogue is encouraged and people can deepen their understanding of one another, but also equip individuals with the skills to go out into the world and strengthen their own communities.

2. Stamp Out Stigma: There is still a great deal of stigma attached to mental health challenges. We know from the MHFA curriculum that public misunderstanding, prejudice and discrimination can hold people back from taking important life opportunities and achieving meaningful supports. Studies have shown that MHFA training improves knowledge, reduces stigmatizing attitudes and increases first aid actions toward people with mental health challenges. As a MHFA Instructor, you can help shift the public narrative surrounding mental wellbeing and create a more equitable, understanding world.

3. Educate Through Action: Many barriers to treatment are directly related to poor mental health literacy, including limited understanding of therapy and the perception that treatment is too demanding or not relevant to the person’s challenges. It’s understandable, therefore, that there is a significant correlation between poor mental health literacy and elevated rates of depression, anxiety and stress, to name a few. By becoming a MHFA Instructor, you can help people become more traumainformed and educated about common mental health and substance use challenges affecting your community.

4. Invest in First Aiders: Since 2008, we have trained 3 million Mental Health First Aiders across the country. First Aiders serve as a vital link between a person experiencing a new or worsening mental health or substance use challenge and appropriate professional supports, self-help and other support strategies. By becoming a certified MHFA Instructor, you can help us reach our goal of training 1 in 15 people in America as First Aiders to ensure that everyone in America has a close friend they can turn to when experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge before it becomes a crisis.

Are you ready to #BeTheDifference for those around you? Learn more about the certification process and role of the Instructor, and then apply to become a MHFA Instructor!

NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org 15

988 and 911 Similarities and Differences The launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) in July 2022 was a historic moment in the story of mental health and substance use care services in our nation. Now anyone, anywhere in the U.S. can call or text a three-digit number and be connected to a trained crisis counselor for navigating challenging moments and situations.

The line has made it easier for those individuals most in need to reach critical care in a new and highly effective way – already with impressive results. Since implementation began in July, 988 has served tens of thousands of individuals through calls, texts and chat services.

988 is often compared to another three-digit number the nation knows well: 911. At the National Council, we often field questions about the differences between the two services. This article highlights some of the key differences and provides resources to help answer common questions.

To summarize, 988 and 911 are each easy-to-remember three-digit numbers connecting people to crisis and other lifesaving services. But the similarities pretty much end there.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) – the agency overseeing 988 – vision for 988 is to offer people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis or emotional distress someone to talk to, someone to come to them and somewhere to go, as needed. Those second two offerings are comparable to 911, which dispatches first responders to callers’ locations.

Eventually, and with enough funding, workforce and infrastructure, 988 could facilitate dispatching mobile crisis responders to callers with much more regularity. This would help divert mental health and substance use calls from EMS, fire and police, and help get people treatment at community-based, non-emergency care settings, as appropriate. To this end, 988 is a key first step toward enhancing and expanding a full and comprehensive crisis continuum of care.

That first service, “someone to talk to,” is what makes 988 unique.

With 911, a dispatcher will send needed services (e.g., EMS, fire, police) to the caller and may provide support to the caller while they wait for the services to arrive. But 988 is itself a service. When an individual in need accesses 988 (via call, text or chat) they are connected to a trained crisis counselor who can provide help to reduce emotional distress.

More than 98% of 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline contacts are resolved at that first point of contact, with no need for any additional services to be dispatched. In fact, numerous studies show that most callers feel significantly less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking to a Lifeline crisis counselor.

One key area of overlap between 911 and 988 occurs when there is an imminent risk to the 988 user’s life (an ongoing suicide attempt, for example). While the 988 coordinated response is intended to promote stabilization and care in the least restrictive manner, in the case of imminent danger, 988 calls are connected to emergency services like 911. Currently, fewer than 2% of Lifeline calls require this connection.

Learn more about the function and structure of 988, other National Council work and resources in this space and SAMHSA’s vision for the crisis continuum and 988.

NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org 17

THANK YOU

to Our Corporate Partners

Navigating Mental Health Pathways

CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS IN NEED TO CARE When it comes to helping communities thrive, knowing where to start can be difficult. That’s especially true when it comes to connecting individuals in historically underserved communities to care. We can help through our Interest Groups, a National Council members-only benefit.

Our Interest Groups are digital communities that help you learn and grow alongside like-minded peers.

As a participant, you can share your experiences with colleagues, pose questions, raise your voice for important issues and stay informed of social topics and trends. And that’s not all:

Discover the latest best practices in prevention, treatment and recovery.

Hear from the best minds in our field, including our own thought leaders.

Troubleshoot your unique challenges with health care colleagues.

Attend webinars and online discussions about current issues.

Access original content, share resources and download learning materials.

By joining an Interest Group, you will get to examine and help advance interventions for select populations. Our Interest Groups include Children, Young Adults and Families; Crisis Response; Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; LGBTQ+; Older Adults; Rural Health; and Substance Use. If you are a National Council member, fill out the interest form and indicate which group(s) you’d like to join. Then, we will share relevant learning opportunities and new resources to help you get the most out of your learning journey. Have questions? Contact us to learn more.

Looking for benchmarking resources to support operational excellence?

Want to learn more about National Council members? Check out our 2022 Annual Member Insights Report today!

The report – free to National Council members – offers:

Three years of financial and descriptive data.

Data segmentation to enable benchmarking.

Industry data for measuring success and highlighting areas of opportunity.

Relevant insights for external audiences.

Access your copy of our report today: https://bit.ly/3G1uLj5 990 Report Handout.indd 2

4/14/23 2:56 PM NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org 19

Supporting Youth Mental Wellbeing Having a serious conversation about mental health with a young person can be challenging, to say the least. So, how do you start the conversation? What should you bring up? How much is too much information? And should it even be discussed? We have the answers.

According to our Mental Health First Aid curricula, national studies estimate 22.2% of youth in the U.S. will have a mental health challenge that significantly impacts their life. This makes it likely that an adult will interact with an adolescent who is experiencing a mental health challenge. Adults who interact with young people need access to information and resources about how to have conversations with kids and answer tough questions. Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) can help.

YMHFA 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 adolescents (age 12-18) who are experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or are in crisis. It is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people.

Recognizing mental health challenges is the first step toward helping a young person. To learn more, download our fact sheet. Want to #BeTheDifference for young people in your community? Find a YMHFA course near you and register for a training!

NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org 21

MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID Doctoral Student Grants The National Council is releasing six $5,000 grants to outstanding fulltime doctoral students who are interested in evaluating the processes, outcomes and impacts of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in the U.S. Interested in applying for a grant? Eligibility requirements are as follows:

You have documented experience with MHFA (e.g., MHFA Instructor or Coordinator) and/or a strong interest in MHFA. You are a full-time doctoral student (e.g., Ph.D., DrPH, Psy.D.) pursuing a degree in psychology, public health or a related field of study.

You have previous evaluation experience and have demonstrated the ability to document findings through publications and/or presentations.

MHFA is an evidence-based training program that has taught 3 million people in the U.S. and its territories how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. Make your mark – apply for a grant by May 21, 2023!

Consulting & Training Consulting & Training ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE

When communicating about change, your When communicating change, your recipients need to knowabout the “WIIFM” – recipients need to know the “WIIFM” – are what’s in it for me? Staff champions who what’s in itamong for me?their Staffpeers champions are respected should who be part respected among their peers should be of the process to ensure the changes willpart of the process tothey ensure the changes will benefit the staff represent. benefit the staff they represent.

PAM PIETRUSZEWSKI, MA PAM PIETRUSZEWSKI, MA

INTEGRATED HEALTH CONSULTANT, INTEGRATED CONSULTANT, National CouncilHEALTH for Mental Wellbeing National Council for Mental Wellbeing NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org 23

Addressing Burnout in Crisis Services

In this guest article, Becky Stoll, LCSW, senior vice president of crisis services at Centerstone – a National Council member organization – explores crisis services leadership and staff wellbeing.

“Either you love it or hate it!”

Those of us who work in crisis services know how true this statement is. For some, it’s simply not a good fit, but for people who find their groove working in this field, there is nothing better.

The nature of the work we do, however, causes our workforce to experience workplace stress like no other in the mental health field. And amid COVID-19, workforce burnout has never been worse. That is why it’s imperative for those in crisis service leadership positions to acknowledge this reality, embrace it and do something about it.

So, what can we do? Tell our staff to “call the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)”? That’s a good option in some cases, but there is so much more we should be doing to offer a comprehensive approach to staff wellness in our field.

For starters, we can talk with staff to hear what issues they are experiencing, rather than assume we know. Staff also tend to appreciate it when we come out into the field with them to see firsthand what their everyday work life is like.

We can also provide ongoing opportunities for decompression. Setting up routine times to talk, as a group, about life as a crisis worker can be helpful. So can setting aside time to focus on wellness, whether that’s a “Lunch ’n Learn” on nutrition or group walks.

I know of an organization that has a local massage therapist donate time once a month to give chair massages to staff. (I hear it books up very fast). Another organization I spoke with had just purchased a golden retriever … for the staff. It is in the office daily and employees love it!

Recently, I was talking with one of our crisis service leaders who runs Centerstone’s Crisis Call Center and 988 National Back-up operations. She likes to get to know her staff and is appreciated for paying attention to stress and burnout. I asked her, “How do you get to know your staff and what do you to make them feel well at work?” Here is what she shared:

She distributes a unique questionnaire to new hires to get to know them. She asks things like, “If you could live in a sitcom, which one would it be?” or “What is the theme song of your life?” or “How do you prefer to receive communications from me?”

During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, she handwrites and mails a card to each staff member, letting them know how many people they helped in the past year.

When someone has a hard shift or goes above and beyond, she gives them a gift card to a place she knows the employee likes; she also sends birthday cards to each employee.

In addition to weekly supervision times, she holds a staff-only meeting once a month to give employees a chance to connect and forge strong relationships. She also offers optional skills-building sessions twice a month.

This type of outreach and relationship building can help staff feel supported, and hopefully, keep the things they see, hear or experience from traumatizing or damaging them. And of course, if the time comes, we can also connect them to EAP assistance.

Now more than ever, we must take time to support the health and wellbeing of our staff and set them up for success. That starts with making mental wellness a top priority – for those currently working in crisis services and those following behind them.

Pew’s Pew’s Behavioral Behavioral Health Programs Health Programs Use Use Evidence Evidence to to Inform Inform Change Change We pursue data-driven solutions to We pursue data-driven solutions address pressing behavioral healthtoissues, address pressing behavioral health issues, including increasing access to substance including increasing access tohealth-first substance use treatment and delivering use treatment and delivering responses to people in crisis. health-first responses to people in crisis.

Learn more at pewtrusts.org Learn more at pewtrusts.org

NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org 25

Preparing Behavioral Health’s Future Leaders Middle Management Academy (MMA), your leadership development solution!

Thinking about establishing a small- or large-scale leadership development program within your organization? Want to build a deep bench of leadership talent to tackle complex challenges?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES INCLUDE: INSPIRING WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT AND BUILDING POWERFUL TEAMS. LEADING SUCCESSFUL CHANGE.

LEVERAGING UNIQUE TALENTS AND STRENGTHS. SUPERVISING FOR PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE. SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, TRUE DIVERSITY AND HEALTHY DEBATE.

We can help!

For more than 20 years, MMA has cultivated future health care leaders into strong links in the management chain. aha-ncmw-ad_8.5x5.5.pdf

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Give health care workers the mental health support they deserve.

Find proven practices to reduce stigma, improve access to behavioral health services, and address job stressors.

Consultants

RENEE BOAK, MPH

TERENCE FITZGERALD,

Integrated Health Senior Consultant

Consultant, Trauma-informed, Resilience-oriented, Equityfocused Services

PhD, LLP

Consultant

JOAN KENERSON KING,

JANE KING,

PhD, EdM, MSW

LAURA LEONE,

PsyD, LP

DSW, MSSW, LMSW

Senior Consultant

Integrated Health Consultant

RN, MSN

Integrated Health Senior Consultant

JEFF CAPOBIANCO,

PAM PIETRUSZEWSKI, MA

Senior Advisor

AMELIA ROESCHLEIN,

JULIE SCHILLIM,

AARON WILLIAMS,

Consultant, Trauma-informed, Resilience-oriented Care

Consultant, Trauma-informed, Resilience-oriented, Equityfocused Services

Senior Advisor

DSW, MA, LMFT

PhD, LLP, LPC

MA

Visit our website to learn about the National Council’s Consulting and Training Services.

HAVE QUESTIONS? CONTACT US. NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org 27

The Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions is committed to advancing the implementation of high-quality treatment for individuals with co-occurring physical and mental health conditions, including substance use disorders. Our team of experts in organizational readiness, integrated care models, workforce and clinical practice, health and wellness, and financing and sustainability are ready to partner with you to create a customized approach to advance integrated care and health outcomes.

THANK YOU

to Our National Council Partners PLATINUM

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NatCon23 | TheNationalCouncil.org 29

You’ll Benefit From THE NATIONAL COUNCIL PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM! NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS

ORGANIZATIONS, BECOME A PARTNER!

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April 15-17, 2024 • St. Louis, Missouri