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Addressing the Intersection of Trauma, Mental Health Challenges, and Substance Use

It is critical that people learn about the intersection of trauma, mental health challenges, and substance use and how they will impact women and girls and their families and communities and overall well-being. Representatives from more than three dozen federal agencies have gotten together to focus on this issue and to develop collective strategies to address its impact.

This webinar held May 29, 2014 aimed to address: "the historical context of the intersection of mental health substance abuse and trauma; review current research of the problems of trauma and adverse experiences, and the impacts of that on women and girls; highlight two evidence-based practices of seeking safety in the trauma resolution center; and the core components of a trauma-informed approach when focusing on these intersections".

The presentations given during this webinar are:

  • "SAMHSA's Women and Violence Study Trauma Services in Public Mental Health [WCDVS]" by Susan Salasin;
  • "Adverse Childhood Experiences: Impacts on Health & Wellbeing across the Life Course" by Melissa Merrick;
  • "Seeking Safety: An Evidence-Based Model for Trauma and/or Addiction" by Lisa M. Najavits; and
  • "If It Works in Miami...a Model Program for Serving Traumatized Human Beings" by Teresa Descilo.