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Author: Kayla Bunch

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Expanding Harm Reduction and Naloxone Access throughout Missouri – Overcoming Objections and Knocking Down Obstacles to Build New Paths Forward

Paradise Ballroom B

 

Speaker(s):

Green, Lauren, MSW

Connors, Liz, LCSW, CRADC

Description

Since third-party access to naloxone became legal in Missouri in 2017, naloxone access across the state has drastically increased. In 2018, the UMSL-MIMH team distributed nearly 11,000 naloxone kits through the Missouri Opioid/Heroin Overdose Prevention and Education (MO-HOPE) project and State Targeted Response (STR) grant. In 2022-2023 grant cycle, our team is on track to distribute over 197,000 kits through the following projects: Navigating Overdose Response Through Harm reduction (North*) project, State Overdose Response (SOR) grant, Expanding Naloxone Access and Community Training (ENACT) grant, Drugs Overdose, Trust and Safety (Connecting the DOTS) grant, and the Missouri Coordinating Overdose Response Partnerships and Support (MO-CORPS) grant. With this massive increase of resources, our programming can reach many more partners and sectors and better meet the needs of those we serve. This presentation will outline the various naloxone initiatives in Missouri and provide guidance on how both agencies and individuals in Missouri can get free access to naloxone and harm reduction training. Additionally, presenters will share their experiences expanding harm reduction programming across various sectors including obstacles they have encountered, lessons learned, and their strategies for overcoming common objections to harm reduction.

Objectives

1. Describe the plans for harm reduction growth across the state of Missouri
2. Review how to access naloxone in Missouri
3. Discover strategies for overcoming common objections to harm reduction
4. Describe implementation barriers that presenters have encountered and how they overcame them

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Barbershop Talk: Grief and Bereavement in Black Fathers After the Loss of a Spouse/Partner

Parasol I

 

Speaker(s):

Rose, Yvette, DNP

Description

The stereotype of Black fathers as “absent” and Black children as “fatherless”—first introduced over 50 years ago—has, like many racial stereotypes, refuses to go away. In the movie Fatherhood (based on a true story), American stand-up comedian, actor, and producer Kevin Hart portrays a recently widowed Black father left to rear his newborn daughter after the sudden and unexpected death of his wife. This presentation considers the impact of PTSD in African American fathers after maternal loss during childbirth or within 42 days after pregnancy. During this time. fathers need to learn to navigate fatherhood while coping with the death of their spouse/partner. The sudden and unexpected death of a woman at delivery or soon after delivery is a traumatic experience for her family. Sadly, Paternal bereavement following the unexpected loss of a spouse/partner can lead to mental complications including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can develop following a stressful event. A sudden bereavement is a stressful event.

The presentation will address losses and the potentiality of PTSD in African American males after the loss of their spouse/partner. After a loss their challenges become three-fold. They must cope with the loss, they must deal with their grief, and they must care for the infant or child, possibly alone.

Objectives

1. Disseminate information on responsible fatherhood

2. Identify the influence fathers can have on their children

3. Discuss strategies for coping with loss of a spouse/partner

4. Identify challenges of fatherhood

5. Identify self-care techniques in response to loss and fatherhood

Rose Presentation

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Dual Diagnosis and the Mental Health Parity Problem: Weaving High-Quality Medical, Psychiatric, and Developmental Support into Better Care for Patients and New Standards for Health Systems

Paradise Ballroom ABC

 

Speaker(s):

Constantino, John, MD

Description

Some of the most chronic and treatment-resistant syndromes of mental health impairment arise when developmental disability and psychiatric disability occur together, so-called “dual diagnosis”. Interventions that are commonly implemented in the developmental disabilities service sector (e.g., functional communication training and positive behavioral support planning) are capable of mitigating severe behavioral impairment, yet rarely invoked when dual diagnosis patients are seen in the psychiatric service sector. Conversely, state-of-the-art interventions for traumatic stress, pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy have proven capable of improving behavioral impairments in IDD but are typically restricted to the psychiatric service sector, where there exist significant barriers to access for patients with IDD, including limitations imposed by diagnostic eligibility and practitioner experience. Bridging these gaps in knowledge and clinical capacity across the respective IDD and PS service sectors should be of very high priority in strategizing the care and support of IDD patients with serious co-occurring psychiatric conditions, and will be an important step in fulfilling federal mental health parity legislation.

Objectives

  • To describe common pathways to unnecessary complications in adaptation among individuals with developmental disability
  • To describe advances in treatment for joint behavioral and developmental disability
  • To clarify endpoints of mental health parity, i.e. the extent to which medically-necessary behavioral health services are being delivered on a par with medical services within health systems.

Constantino – Dual Diagnosis and MH Parity Constantino 2023v2.0

 

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Restoring Lives -The Clubhouse Model Approach to Recovery

Leeward 76-77

 

Speaker(s):

Higginbotham, Jennifer, MSW, LCSW

Matlock, Tanya, MA

Burries, Cassandra

Description

Learn about a unique approach to recovery listed on SAMHSA’s registry as an evidence based practice in 2011, accredited by both Clubhouse International and the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), that addresses the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. A Clubhouse is a community intentionally organized to support individuals living with the effects of mental illness. Through participation in the Clubhouse, people are given the opportunities to rejoin the worlds of friendships, family, meaningful work, employment, education, and healthy lifestyles. A Clubhouse is a restorative environment for people who have had their lives disrupted, and need the support of others who believe that recovery from mental illness is possible for all. Independence Center’s Clubhouse is one of twelve International Training Bases in the Clubhouse Model of psychiatric rehabilitation, one of five accredited Clubhouses in Missouri, and one of over 300 Clubhouses worldwide.

Objectives

1. Describe the basic components of the Clubhouse Model of psychiatric rehabilitation
2. Discuss what makes the Clubhouse model a unique approach to recovery.
3. Review how the Clubhouse model addresses the 8 Dimensions of Wellness.
4. Discover directly from members how the Clubhouse has saved their life.

Higginbotham Presentation

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Higginbotham, Jennifer, MSW, LCSW

Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, and a Master’s in Social Work from Washington University. While at the Brown School of Social Work, Jennifer was first introduced to Independence Center as a practicum student. She was instantly passionate about the Clubhouse Model approach of psychosocial rehabilitation. Jennifer is on the Faculty for Clubhouse Development as well as the Advisory Council for Clubhouse International. She has also been instrumental in mentoring the other Clubhouses in Missouri and initiated the first Clubhouse Coalition in the state. Jennifer received the Mortimer Goodman Mental Health Professional award from NAMI St. Louis. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is currently the Chief Program Officer at Independence Center where she has worked for 36 years.
Presentation(s):
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What is Not Psychosis – Disorders Masquerading as Psychosis

Wingate 60-61

 

Speaker(s):

Rakhshan Rouhakhtar, Pamela, PhD

Description

This talk will provide an in-depth exploration of how psychosis can be misidentified, both symptomatically and diagnostically. Broad pathways for misidentification or misattribution will be explored, including: 1) when psychosis is misperceived as the primary diagnosis; 2) when it is missed as a relevant symptom, and; 3) when it is critical to identify overlap in psychosis and other distressing experiences, such as OCD, depression, and Autism. The talk will conclude with a focus on best practices and tools to appropriately assess and diagnose psychosis (or not) and a discussion of how diagnoses related to psychosis impact individual mental health care and associated care systems.

Objectives

1. Distinguish psychosis as a syndrome from primary psychotic spectrum diagnoses
2. Identify the main pathways for misdiagnosis or misidentification of psychosis
3. Review techniques and considerations useful for appropriate and sensitive assessment and diagnosis of psychosis spectrum diagnoses
4. Discuss the implications of psychosis spectrum diagnoses on client mental health and care systems

Rouhakhtar – I can’t believe it’s not psychosis.pptx

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Trauma-Informed Supports for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities – the Path to Healing

Nautical Wheeler

 

Speaker(s):

Harvey, Karyn, PhD

Description

Trauma-Informed Supports for People with IDD – The Path to Healing
This session will provide an in-depth look at trauma in the lives of people with IDD and the effects of that trauma. The biological, psychological and social effects will be explored. Next, there will be a discussion of healing. Three components of healing will be reviewed: safety, connections and empowerment. The Positive Identity approach will be introduced as well. Finally the happiness assessment and daily happiness worksheet tools will be introduced.

Objectives

1. Identify sources of trauma for people with IDD
2. Identify the positive identity development approach.
3. Utilize workbooks that develop a positive sense of self.
4. Utilize the happiness assessment.

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Using “Dosing” as a Model for Self-Care: Clinicians and Clients Alike

Leeward 74-75

 

Speaker(s):

Scaccia, Jamie, PsyD

Wilson, Amy, PsyD

Description

Self-care. Did you flinch? Did you roll your eyes? Self-Care has developed a bad reputation. With caregivers and professionals regularly overtaxed and under-resourced, self-care is like a weight at the bottom of a to-do list. Unfortunately, we remain stressed, anxious, depressed, and burnt out as a result.

Instead of spa days, let us start thinking about self-care as a dose of medicine. Each spoon full is a few minutes of recharging time that adds up to a healthy treatment of our minds, bodies, and relationships. We will use our time to explore what dosing means, how it can be understood within a clinical relationship, and how we may apply it to our own lives.

(Please note for this and our other presentation submission, slides do not include those that are copyrighted and will be more thorough for presentation. Copyrighted slides will be used with permission from author.)

Objectives

1. Define “dosing” within the context of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (Dr. Bruce Perry).
2. Identify what makes self-care hard to follow through on, despite knowing its value and relationship to secondary trauma and burn out.
3. Practice dosing self-care and outline how it may be implemented in their lives and lives of their clients.

Sccaccia Wilson Handout

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CBT for Chronic Pain: Core Strategies

Windgate 62-63

 

Speaker(s):

Steffen, Ann, PhD, ABPP

Description

There are a wide range of health conditions and injuries that lead to persistent pain. This presentation features key strategies from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) that help individuals manage chronic pain and engage in daily living that is consistent with personal values and life goals. Clinicians will learn effective means for helping their clients apply the gate control theory of pain to regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that increase pain perceptions and disrupt value-based living. This presentation also describes clinical resources for assessment and intervention (e.g., psychotherapy and integrated primary care sessions). The presentation will emphasize strategies that are responsive to the needs of culturally diverse clients across the lifespan, including within the context of telehealth.

Objectives

1. Describe the relevance of the Gate Control Theory of pain and strategies for enhancing client understanding
2. Identify assessment tools that are a good fit for busy clinical practices
3. Explain 3 core strategies used in CBT for chronic pain

Steffen Handout

Steffen Resources

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Race Matters – Creating & Implementing Racial Equity Sessions in the Workplace

Paradise Ballroom A

 

Speaker(s):

Jones, Diana, BA, CDEIL

Harris, Shaunte, MSN, PNMHP

Thumann, Kathryn, MSW, LCSW

Anderson Hawkins, Cheryl, RN

Raymond, Lily, PhD

Description

This presentation will review the history and implementation of Racial Equity Learning Sessions at St.Louis Forensic Treatment Center. We will discuss our origins and growth over the past 7 years, including how we approached our efforts during the pandemic, gaining buy in from leadership, and key points we address when presenting information to our workforce in our learning session.

Objectives

Describe WHY race still matters and the value of courageous conversations.

Describe the WHY behind providing Racial Equity(RE) sessions in the workplace.

Identify the five content areas of our RE Session

Describe the HOW of RE Sessions (approach, challenges, lessons learned).

Thumann Presentation