The interactive presentation gives an overview of the CISM Peer Network and engages participants in grounding techniques and a group debriefing simulation. The Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Peer Network program is made up of volunteer staff at each facility, satellite, and regional office across the state. CISM Peers have lived experience with critical incidents, trauma and personal or workplace stress. Peers provide employees emotional support, stress education, link to resources and help with adaptive functioning. This is achieved through confidential support, information, and resources. The presentation will model relaxation activity called grounding and simulate a 7-Phase CISM Debriefing technique designed to support employees after a shared traumatic incident with a goal of mitigation of the crisis response, assist in restoration of the group’s ability to function, and identify individuals who might need additional support.

Youth Behavioral Health Liaisons, or YBHLs, are behavioral health professionals across the state who work to connect youth and their families to behavioral health services. When thinking of YBHLs, their job function is usually explained as a “connector” to services – and they are. But YBHLs also do so much more within their communities. Join us to dive into all the different roles of a YBHL, review the new Community Engagement data that has been collected from YBHLs across the state, and learn how YBHLs can increase community engagement with your organization.