RESPOND: Partnering for Campus Mental Health
Mental health problems affect each of us. You can take action to RESPOND effectively. About 1 in 5 of us will experience a diagnosable mental illness this year. All of us experience emotional pain or distress at times in our lives. Most of us want to help yet often feel uncertain about what to do or say. RESPOND will empower you to offer effective support and useful referrals to a student or colleague. The course provides a basic overview of symptoms often associated with mental health problems and offers an action plan to help you RESPOND effectively. The course will address campus policies such as FERPA, as well as mental health resources.
RESPOND Refresher
This training is a 90 minute "refresher" course for past participants in the full day RESPOND training. We will review RESPOND, emphasize the highlights and practice some skills.
Who should attend?
Any Idaho State University faculty, staff, or administrators who wish to learn more about how to RESPOND to students or colleagues who are in distress. Graduate and undergraduate students who work in student-assistance roles are also welcome to attend these trainings.
What is the cost?
In our commitment to improving campus mental health, the RESPOND training is offered free of charge to participants at this time.
The Counseling and Mental Health Center is happy to facilitate a RESPOND training for an established group. Please contact Sally Bodkin at sallybodkin@isu.edu to request a RESPOND training.
Rendezvous Suites:
Friday, February 23, 2024, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 pm
Registration required. Please register here.
Talk Saves Lives is American Foundation for Suicide Preventions' standardized, 90 minute program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives.
Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide and how to keep themselves and others safe.
Topics covered include:
- Scope of the Problem: The latest data on suicide in the U.S., worldwide, and at ISU.
- Research: Information from research on what causes people to consider suicide, as well as health, historical, and environmental factors that put individuals at risk.
- Prevention: An understanding of the protective factors that lower suicide risk, and strategies for managing mental health and being proactive about self-care.
- What You Can Do: Guidance on warning signs and behaviors to look for, and how to get help for someone in a suicidal crisis.
Check back soon for upcoming dates!
Losing a loved one to suicide can be a profoundly painful and isolating experience. The complexity of the emotions can feel overwhelming and often survivors struggle to know who to talk to for fear others won't understand. In this presentation we will discuss some of these factors, normalize reactions, and engage in a discussion designed to help participants gain greater understanding and support.
Survivors of Suicide Loss
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Pond Student Union Building, Heritage Room
Register for this workshop
Check back soon for upcoming dates!
CMHC Connections brings individuals together who may benefit from learning and supporting others with similar aspects of identity. Meetings are held weekly for one hour and are facilitated by a staff member from ISU's Counseling and Mental Health Center.
Check back soon for available CMHC Connections groups!
Register Here!
SUMMARY AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Wednesday, 15 May, 2024 – 8:00am – 12:15pm
An Introduction to Disability Rights and Related Ethical Considerations for Mental Health Professionals
Soni Myers, MS, LCPC, NCC
This presentation will provide a brief overview of the disability rights movement and related civil rights laws that are reflected within the professional ethical codes for counselors, psychologists and social workers. The overarching goal is to deepen the mental health professional's appreciation for their ethical responsibility to recognize diversity and embrace a culturally relevant and responsive approach when working with individuals with disabilities. The presentation will also offer a review of practical skills and resources for enhancing accessibility of services, including but not limited to tips for: working with a sign language interpreter, website and document accessibility, and interactions around a service animal.
Learning Objectives:
- Provide a brief overview of the disability rights movement and related laws
- Review professional ethical codes pertaining to disability (APA, ACA, NASW, CRCC)
- Define relevant terminology
- Offer resources and a few practical skills for enhancing accessibility in practice
Thursday, 16 May, 2024 – 8:00am – 10:00am
Nature and Mental Health
Rick Pongratz, PhD
The mental health benefits related to engagement with the natural world is an area of focus in both the scientific and popular media. Join us for an exploration of this research and discussion of ways to integrate nature-based interventions into a variety of therapeutic settings. The workshop will delve into methodologies such as forest bathing, eco-therapy, and nature-based mindfulness interventions. We will focus on nature-based therapies and our reciprocal relationships with the world around us.
Learning Objectives:
- Increase awareness of nature and its impact on mental health.
- Provide information on how nature improves our mental health.
- Identify ways of integrating nature into therapy.
- Explore how a reciprocal relationship with nature can benefit both humans and the natural world.
Thursday, 16 May, 2024 – 10:15am – 12:15pm
Perinatal Mental Health
Sally Bodkin, LCPC
The perinatal period is a time of major adjustment for women- physically, mentally, emotionally, and relationally. The transition to parenthood is stressful enough to put women at high risk for experiencing emotional distress. Perinatal mental health disorders are among the most common pregnancy complications, impacting up to 1 in 5 women. Learn about perinatal mental health disorders, myths and stigma surrounding the transition to parenthood, obstacles to seeking treatment, and components of perinatal counseling.
Learning objectives:
- Learn about the types of perinatal mental health disorders and their prevalence
- Learn about the etiology of PMHDs
- Learn about myths and stigma surrounding the transition to parenthood that contribute to distress
- Learn about obstacles to care and challenges providers face working with perinatal concerns
- Learn about components of perinatal counseling
Complete a voluntary and anonymous Questionnaire to assess your current state of mental health and well-being.