Northwest AHEC invites you to our upcoming Spring Behavioral Health Webinars! Whether you're looking to enhance your clinical practice, support recovery, or deepen your understanding of trauma-informed care, we have valuable sessions for you. Click below for more information on each.

• Appetite Awareness Training for Binge and Overeating - March 25, 2025 from 9AM-11AM - This program will examine the factors (e.g., trauma, stress, depression) that may increase binge and overeating in our clients, with particular emphasis on clients who are low income, and identify as a member from a racial/ethnic minority group. Register Here
  
  
• Microaggression as an Ethical Issue in Clinical Practice - April 1, 2025 from 9AM- 12:15PM - Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional exchanges that convey negative messages based on race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. While clinicians aim to provide culturally sensitive care, unknowingly committing microaggressions can harm communication, erode trust, and disrupt the therapeutic process. Ethical guidelines call for minimizing these occurrences to support effective client relationships. This program explores the impact of microaggressions, their role in clinical practice, and strategies for reducing them. Note: This course may count toward ethics requirements for license renewal. Register Here
  
  
• Practical Suggestions for Facilitating SUD Recovery - April 9, 2025 from 1PM - 3PM - Health professionals often encounter clients or patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Understanding how to effectively address these complex challenges is critical for providing optimal care. This workshop is designed to offer a comprehensive overview of practical approaches and evidence-based interventions for working with individuals affected by SUDs. Register Here
  
  
• Safety First: Trauma-Informed Care with People Experiencing Substance Use Disorders - May 16, 2025 from 9AM - 12:15PM - Widely demonstrated in the literature on substance use disorders, trauma experienced by the person is a common and primary part of the sequelae leading to addiction. Traumatic life experiences can unfortunately also be a part of a person’s time as a substance user.
  This training will present a brief overview of what constitutes single incident or developmental traumas; what it means to be a trauma-informed practitioner; awareness of vicarious or secondary traumatization and related social worker self-care. Participants will learn how to consider trauma in their approach to working with clients and in their ability to thrive as a practitioner. Register Here
  
  
• Race-Based Traumatic Stress: Broadening Your Toolkit to Support Diverse Individuals - June 20, 2025 from 9AM - 12:15PM - This session explores race-based traumatic stress and its impact on clients of color. We’ll review the theoretical framework, trauma responses, and resilience strategies while identifying risk and protective factors. Clinicians will enhance cultural competence through interactive learning, self-reflection, and practical skills for sensitive, effective care. Register Here

In response to a need expressed by several practices in our region, Practice Support (Lara Dickerson, MHA, BA and Leslie McDowell, DNP, ANP-BC, RN at Northwest AHEC) created an on-demand learning module entitled, “Managing Difficult Patient Situations”. The learning module offers 1 credit hour and registration is FREE.

The module has garnered 511 registered learners since its release in January of 2024, from all corners of North Carolina and beyond! The diverse crowd represents ten different states (AK, CA, GA, MI, MN, OH, OR, SC, TX, VA) and included representation from 96 counties in NC.

This learning module was also incorporated into a Workplace Safety Toolkit produced by the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nurses for its membership in June, and now reaches a national audience of nurse leaders and educators.
 

16th Annual “One Community in Recovery” Conference Healing Together: Building Stronger Communities

Celebrating World Mental Health Day: The Importance of Reaching Out and Being Kind

Every year, on October 10th, people around the globe come together to raise awareness and take action for mental health. Known as World Mental Health Day, this day serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of nurturing our mental well-being, just as much as we care for our physical health. Here at Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC), we are proud to be part of this crucial conversation, striving to make a difference in the communities we serve.

In recent years, mental health has become a topic that is increasingly brought into the spotlight. Yet, it remains shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. At Northwest AHEC, we believe that fostering open, honest conversations about mental health is key to breaking down these barriers. 

But what makes World Mental Health Day particularly powerful is its ability to bring people together. It’s not just about raising awareness; it's about creating a supportive network where individuals feel comfortable seeking help and offering support to one another. After all, mental health isn’t just a solitary journey—it’s a collective effort.

The Work We Do at Northwest AHEC

At Northwest AHEC, we are committed to offering programs that educate and support mental health initiatives. Our workshops and seminars are designed to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary tools to address mental health issues effectively. We are firm believers in the idea that education can be a powerful catalyst for change, and our events focus on broadening understanding, fostering empathy, and promoting resilience.

Moreover, we prioritize creating an environment where both professionals and community members can discuss mental health openly. Through collaborative discussions and interactive sessions, we aim to build a community that embraces mental health with compassion and understanding. 

Be Kind—To Yourself and Others

Kindness is a small but mighty tool that can make a world of difference. Whether it's being kind to yourself by acknowledging your feelings, or extending kindness to someone else who might be struggling, these gestures create a ripple effect that can transform lives.

On this World Mental Health Day, let’s make a conscious effort to practice kindness. Check in with yourself and those around you. Ask questions, listen actively, and offer support without judgment. Sometimes, even the smallest act of kindness can light up the darkest of days.

In conclusion, while World Mental Health Day is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on mental health, the conversation should continue every day. At Northwest AHEC, we are dedicated to advancing this dialogue and supporting our community in any way we can. Remember, it’s okay to reach out for help—there is always someone willing to listen. And always, always choose kindness—it’s more powerful than you might think.

ECHO Autism for primary care providers bridges the care gap between primary care, behavioral health, and community health care specialists by sharing best practices as they care and support individuals with autism and their families regardless of geographic location. The participants will present cases specific to children diagnosed with autism while learning more about common medical concerns and comorbid conditions in children with autism. Participants will have a chance to discuss cases with experts and colleagues to learn about evidence based care. A brief didactic presented by an expert will accompany the case discussion.

Join us for these upcoming Behavioral Health Programs offered by Northwest AHEC - highlighting many important topics including trauma informed care, mental health crises, domestic violence intervention, LGBTQ youth, and veteran safety. All programs are being offered as Live Webinars. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most frequently used evidence-based practices in behavioral health services and is a valuable treatment tool for helping individuals achieve their goals.

Ethical Psychopharmacology is a look at several different aspects of how psychoactive drugs are evaluated, marketed, and promoted by prescribers by looking at issues of transparency, research data, conflict of interest, funding sources and their interests, and informed consent. I will describe the drug approval process through the FDA, history of the DSM and how the diagnostic process has been influenced by money, big Pharma, and conflict of interest. We will look at some clever marketing messages and the difference between marketing and science. 

Research has demonstrated that one of the most important aspects of effective therapeutic work is engaging a client and building positive rapport and trust in the therapeutic relationship. In establishing and maintaining a positive relationship with children and adolescents, clinicians must find creative and innovative ways to make therapeutic work engaging and interactive. It is through this interactivity that children and adolescents are often most comfortable in expressing their thoughts and feelings in a way that feels natural and affirming for them.