In Partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Partnership Access Line (PAL), Forefront Suicide Prevention is pleased to present a FAST Skills Workshop Series. The First Approach Skills Training (FAST) programs are designed to provide brief, evidence-based behavioral therapy for youth and families with common mental health concerns. These workshops, intended for parents/caregivers and/or school based mental health providers will give an overview of the FAST approach and accompanying resources.

These trainings are approved for 1 Clock Hour per session for Washington state educators. Sessions will be recorded and made available to all participants who pre-register, whether or not you are able to attend every session.

Scheduled Topics:

October 24 : Overview

November 28 : Challenging Behavior

December 19 : Anxiety

January 23 : Depression

February 27 : Trauma

March 26 : Sleep

April 23 : Tech

May 28: FAST-S

Presenters:

Jennifer Blossom, PhD is a Clinical Child Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maine. Dr. Blossom received her PhD in Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!). She completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship training at the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital. As a member of the Clinical Faculty at UMaine, Dr. Blossom maintains an active program of research, mentors doctoral and undergraduate students, and teaches at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Dr. Blossom has clinical expertise in youth anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention and maintains an active clinical role through consultation and training of primary care-based clinicians and community providers. Dr. Blossom’s program of research employs an implementation science approach to improve community capacity to identify and intervene for youth with mental health problems. Specifically, Dr. Blossom’s research aims to enhance service delivery, efficiency, access, and engagement, for youth with anxiety, depression, or at risk for suicide, with the ultimate goal of realizing a public health impact.

China Bolden Jarvis, PhD is a Clinical Child Psychologist and Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Dr. Bolden Jarvis received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Seattle Pacific University and completed her predoctoral internship at the University of Washington School of Medicine/Seattle Children’s Hospital. As a postdoc and member of the FAST team, Dr. Bolden Jarvis focuses on research and development as well as training and consultation. Dr. Bolden Jarvis has clinical expertise in youth trauma, depression, and suicidality as well as in supporting youth and families through behavior management training. Dr. Bolden Jarvis is currently starting a program of research with an emphasis on understanding ways in which communities can be supported and bolstered to address mental health concerns from within the community. She also aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of youth suicide with a particular interest in understanding the ongoing significant increases in death by suicide for youth of color.

NAMI Southwest Washington is holding a STRive class this year! More info on their site: https://namiswwa.org/education/strive/

STRive stands for Steps to Recovery. It is a safe, supportive group providing mental wellness education and tools for a successful and sustained recovery from mental health conditions. STRive emphasizes recovery and personal responsibility as keys to a successful life, even when people experience mental health issues or crises. Strengthen your coping skills,  better recognize triggers, improve interpersonal skills, and learn to react in a healthy way to stress. Learn the building blocks to reaching and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Add skills to your mental wellness toolbox and learn from others in a safe environment.

The Steps to Recovery Course Syllabus

• Lesson 1: Healthy Self Esteem
• Lesson 2: Managing Impulsive Behavior
• Lesson 3: Learning Effective Communication
• Lesson 4: Social Support
• Lesson 5: Managing Anger
• Lesson 6: Managing Stress
• Lesson 7: Creating and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries
• Lesson 8: Problem Solving
• Lesson 9: Sleeping Well
• Lesson 10: Developing Resilience
• Lesson 11: Creating, Maintaining, and Ending Relationships
• Lesson 12: Self-Empowerment
• Lesson 13: Calming Anxiety
• Lesson 14: Dealing with Depression
• Lesson 15: Battling Addiction (Co-occurring Diagnosis)
• Lesson 16: Taking Responsibility
• Lesson 17: Breaking Bad Habits
• Lesson 18: Overcoming Trauma
• Lesson 19: Balance, Focus, and Living in the Moment
• Lesson 20: Reaching Fulfilling Recovery

Empowering South Asians

Culturally Sensitive Approaches to Mental Health

What is it?

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and NAMI Washington

are hosting a series of 3 community conversations on mental wellness!

This is a space for, by and about South Asians in Washington to share

what mental wellness means to us and learn about ways we can

support well-being among ourselves and each other.

When is it?

Chai & Chat conversations will be held over Zoom on

April 18, April 25 and May 2 (Thursdays) from 6-7:30 pm PST.

To Participate you must be:

• Of South Asian descent (including ancestry from India, Pakistan,
• Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives, and Indo-
• Caribbean individuals from countries including Guyana, Jamaica,
• Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago)
• Between 18-30 years old
• A resident of Washington State

If you have any questions, please contact

Charu Aggarwal at caggarwal@nami.org.

Register by April 15th!

NAMI Family & Friends is a free, four-hour seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to support them best. It’s also an opportunity to meet others in similar situations and gain community support.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the meeting link.

Join NAMI SW Washington and Neurocrine Biosciences for this FREE online informative presentation on tardive dyskinesia (TD). Information will be shared on symptoms, risk factors and treatment. Approximately 600,000 people in the U.S. are living with TD. These uncontrollable movements of tardive dyskinesia can have negative physical, social and emotional impacts

Classes for Families of School Aged Children “NAMI Basics”

Families of school aged children may register now for the next Zoom Basics class which begins Wednesday evenings 6:00 to 8:30 pm from May 15 to June 19, 2024. 

Email namisnohomishteam@gmail.com or check the NAMI Sno-Isle website for alternatives such as a self-paced Basics class. There is often a wait list for this class, so register your interest as soon as possible.

NAMI Walks is the largest, most vibrant mental health event series in the country. It is presented by NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, known locally as NAMI Southwest Washington (NAMI SW WA). Over the past year alone, NAMI Walks has surged to new levels of popularity and impact, leading NAMI to be recognized as the Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Organization of the Year! Taking place in more than 120 locations, NAMI Walks invites participants to share their stories, build community and walk together to achieve Mental Health for All.

Funds raised directly support NAMI Southwest Washington’s mission of education, advocacy, support and public awareness. With your support we will continue working together to increase all of our FREE programming, and expand outreach to youth, young adults, and other underserved communities.

We hope to see you there!

NAMI Family & Friends is a free, four-hour seminar that informs people who have loved ones with a mental health condition how to support them best. It’s also an opportunity to meet others in similar situations and gain community support.