Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders and PTSD Webinar

Substance use disorder (SUD) is often comorbid with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this lecture, we will discuss why these two disorders often co-occur and how those who have both differ from those who have either SUD or PTSD in terms of their physical and mental health and treatment outcomes. We will review research on how to effectively treat those who have both SUD and PTSD. The majority of this part of the lecture will be on clinical strategies to use when treating clients who have SUD and PTSD, including treatment planning, engagement strategies, and monitoring outcomes. Free web-based consumer-oriented and clinician resources for treating PTSD and PTSD co-occurring with SUD developed by the National Center for PTSD will be shared. This lecture is intended for clinicians who treat SUD who want to learn more about how PTSD interacts with SUD and best practices for treating patients with both.

Presenter: Dr. Sonya Norman

WeCOPE (Connecting Our Positive Emotions) for Rural Public Service Professionals

7 week program

WeCOPE is an interactive program that helps adults cope with life stress.  WeCOPE has been shown to reduce stress and depression, increase positive affect, and improve health behaviors.  

Managing life’s challenges in healthy ways allows participants to take better care of themselves and others. This 7-week program meets via Zoom once a week for 60 minutes. 

Learning Objectives

• Be better able to cope with life’s challenging times and stressors by facilitating the connection to positive emotions, even during difficulty and stress.
• Learn to use 11 self-care and healthy coping skills for use in daily life.

Presenters: Mike Blaser and Amanda Coorough

Preventing Substance Use Among Young Adults with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities who experience substance use disorders often face distinct barriers that require tailored strategies to support their recovery. A comprehensive approach should address accessibility, healthcare coordination, social stigma, and individualized treatment options.

Presenter: Humberto Carvalho

How Humor Helps: Applying Humor With Stress

Let’s face it, stress happens!  Infact, recent workforce data says most of us are stressed almost every day when we are on the job. Stress is no laughing matter. Or is it?

Your brain and body can quickly combat cortisol using a resource accessible to all of us: Laughter! This webinar will offer you some strategies to change your challenges to chuckles, and flip your frustrations into funny. By the end of the session you will know how humor helps to manage stress at work.

Presenter: Mallori DeSalle

Mental Health First Aid for Military, Veterans & Families

Mental Health First Aid for Military, Veterans, and their Families is an evidence-based and early intervention training program developed for adults to learn how to assist and support members of their community who may be experiencing a mental health or
substance use challenge. This training specifically addresses the relevance of mental health to military culture, information on risk factors such as mental and physical trauma faced by many service members and their families, how to break down stigma and how to reach out to those who suffer in silence and are reluctant to seek help.

Presenter: Mike Blaser and Amanda Coorough