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Hi my name is April Hernandez. I am currently enrolled in the Mental Health and Wellness program. A personal goal of mine is to improve my time management skills. A professional goal of mine is to advance in my current company. I hope that this course will bring new knowledge that will improve my current work skills. I hope that the newfound knowledge will help me gain a better perspective of what my clients deal with on regular basis. 
Background: 
After I completed my undergrad studies, I went straight into the mental health field. It has been an exciting and rewarding experience, however I am ready to step outside of my comfort zone. I am interested in seeking a position in the education system. I am not sure on the specifics, but that is where I’d like to end up eventually. I have never been a planner as I believe we are exactly where we need to be. If you had asked me what my plans were after undergrad, I would’ve never guessed. I am excited to see what the future entails for me. 

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There were a few intriguing facts that I learned today. One being that a little under 50% of those who die by suicide have been previously diagnosed with a mental health condition. Being able to get rid of the stigma associated with mental illnesses is the first step to change. Individuals may not seek help from family or friends about their suicidal ideations, in fear of being judged. Working towards open and honest conversations is important. In my current profession it is vital that suicide is spoken about. Asking individuals directly if suicidal ideation or homicidal ideation is the first step in determining if a crisis is present. I have found that most people are uncomfortable discussing mental health in general, let alone self-harm. Being able to openly discuss triggers and working towards learning new coping skills is important for people to improve their quality of life. So, learning how to improve my understanding of how trauma looks in a person will improve my capabilities to serve others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mental Health Quiz, I had a good understanding of mental health, but there was definitely room for improvement. Improving my knowledge on crisis, trauma, and mental illness is important to perform my job duties so I can provide excellent service to my consumers and save lives.

A great resource for locating local support groups is NAMI. Support groups are a great place to talk with others in a safe environment. As mentioned earlier, support groups can allow people to talk about their struggles without judgment. NAMI is very interactive with each community. Here in San Antonio you will always catch them at a career or resource fair. One of their missions is to educate and advocate for individuals diagnosed with a mental illness. In addition, they offer educational presentations for free, which is super awesome. It is called Ending the Silence. They’re a great resource to utilize.

Support Groups | Mysite (nami-sat.org)

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After reading this a few weeks into the semester, I still agree with what I said. Stigma correlates to individuals not seeking the appropriate care that is needed.
So far, I have learned about the benefits of early intervention. Early intervention can change the outcomes for those involved. As a future career advisor I will work on diminishing the stigma to allow students to openly share their interests, needs, and goals for their future.

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Reference Guide- Mental Health Disorders

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Reference Guide- Mental Health Disorders

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders- April Hernandez

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This guide is a excellent resource to utilize when needed. It is a one stop shop. I will definitely use it when I need clarification of what a specific disorder is defined as.
My goal is to eventually expand this tool by adding additional resources that will benefit me. Last, making this tool was also an educational experience as I learned more about disorders that I don't frequently come across.

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What is your opinion on the ACE studies? Do you consider it to be a good representative of the population? Why or why not?

This was the first time I was exposed to the ACE studies. After reviewing the information, I believe it is a good representation of the population. As a clinical scale assessment, it provides insight on possible mental and health outcomes, such as opportunities, risky behaviors, chronic diseases, etc. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). It is interesting to see how much of an impact an ACE can have. I find it to be an informative tool for professionals that work closely with children.

Identify and explain, in your own words, three types (categories) of trauma you found most interesting in the course readings. Provide an example for each type of trauma.

According to Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (2015) three types of trauma are burnout, acute trauma, and secondary trauma.

Burnout is very common in the workplace and school environment. It can be caused my mental, physical, or motivational exhaustion. I personally experience this in my current role from time to time. To remedy this, I will usually take a day off to allow my body to rest and my mind to gain clarity. With this specific type of trauma, self-care is extremely important since burnout can occur to anyone.

Acute trauma can occur from a variety of experiences. This occurs as a result of a single event that lasts for a short period of time. An example of an acute trauma would be a car accident. In 2019 I was involved in an accident that caused me to spin out across 4 lanes on the highway onto the side of the road. It took me a while to process the experience. A month after the accident, I bought a vehicle that included many safety features. This allowed me to feel comfortable enough to go behind the wheel again. However, even after being in a new vehicle with all the bells and whistles, the anxiety was still present. I have worked through my emotions by utilizing coping skills, such as deep breathing, that allows me to continue driving when anxiety hits me on the road. My job prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was as a field care manager. The exposure was beneficial to me processing this experience.

Secondary trauma occurs as a result of indirectly experiencing a traumatic event that impacts you. An example of this would be the recent 100+ car pileup that occurred earlier this week in Fortworth. Watching the videos of this incident induced many feelings of sadness and fear. Due to the nature of this accident, it was relatable to many people since it is an incident that can occur to anyone at any time. Personally, I have not gone on any highways since viewing the accident in fear of a similar outcome. I am not accustomed to this inclement weather.

Why do you think children are especially susceptible to trauma?

Children are more susceptible to trauma since they do not understand many concepts, for example, death. Therefore, not knowing how to process their emotions and grief. Another reason they may be susceptible is that they are unaware of what is considered a traumatizing experience until they are told so. Their homelife may involve neglect, but they would not know until they are exposed to “normal” lifestyles. Kids endure what is given to them since they do not know any better.

Identify at least two grief informed or trauma informed strategies that can be used to help a student/client.

According to Truitt (2020) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Group therapy, and Psychotherapy are some strategies that can help individuals process their trauma. CBT attempts to replace negative thoughts with positive thinking. It attempts to change a person’s thought process. Group therapy allows a person to confide with others who share similar experiences. Psychotherapy allows the individual to talk through their experiences to begin the healing process.

Do you think it should be mandated that all health professionals receive education about the effects of trauma and how to assess for trauma?

I do think that all health professionals should be mandated to have some knowledge regarding trauma. A health professional should be able to identify the signs that an individual has experienced trauma. Once the trauma has been identified the health professional will be able to accurately refer the individual to the appropriate resources. In addition to referrals, I believe that the health professional should be aware of how to minimize triggers for the sake of the individual.

From your professional perspective, why is it important to have a basic knowledge and understanding of the effects of grief and trauma? (How is this important in your future role?)

I believe it is important to recognize the signs of trauma and grief, as this may be a barrier to the individual’s road to recovery. In my current role, many of my clients have disclosed their trauma. It allows me to better assist them. Knowing their triggers allows me to create a safe space that promotes their personal growth. I think in my future role it will be similar. As a high school career advisor, I believe that understanding the student’s trauma and grief will give me insight into who they are and how I can help them. Many times, people need someone to talk to. I hope that I can create an environment that encourages a safe space for students to confide with me in a judgement free zone. Being well informed will help shape the way I interact with future students/clients. Trauma informed care will be essential to perform my duties correctly.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, April 13). About the CDC-Kaiser ACE Study. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. (2015, January 16). TRAUMA CATEGORIES: THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAUMA. https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/odmhsas/documents/a0001/hh-oksoc-trauma-categories-types-of-trauma.pdf

Truitt, K. (2020, May 10). Types of Trauma Therapy. Trauma Counseling Center of Los Angeles. https://traumacounseling.com/trauma-therapy-blog/types-of-trauma-therapy/

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This unit was very informative. Trauma comes in so many variations. A common occurrence I noticed through the material and assignments was that those who have experienced trauma do not seek help every time. Most of the time it was due to not being aware of the help available. With this being said, I still agree that health care professionals should stay informed on the effects of trauma and how to assess for trauma. Once trauma has been identified, the professional can direct the individual to the appropriate care.

Informed care can make a difference in people's lives. After watching the Menendez brothers documentary, I believe that educators should be able to recognize signs of abuse. It takes one person to speak up and change the lives of those who cannot speak up for themselves.
In my future role as a career advisor this will allow me to assist individuals with the appropriate care.

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As a career advisor referrals will be quintessential to further assist the students. In this specific job role, I would not be able to provide counseling services along with many other areas of need due to the legal limitations of my education and credentials.

Within the scope of my practice, I would assess the situation to figure out what services/resources are needed. Next, I would direct them to the appropriate channels, whether it be a mental health clinic, community resources, or academic assistance. In addition to connecting them to the appropriate service, I would follow up on how the resource was able to assist them to ensure their needs are met. If not, I would suggest a new referral.

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My submission to fulfill this requirement was a training for suicide screening for direct care.  This training was informative and showcased how to be aware of signs that a crisis is present. As a future career advisor this will be an invaluable information to assess situations accurately.

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Crisis Prevention Plan and Threat Assessment Project

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Crisis Prevention Plan and Threat Assessment Project

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Working in a team that is located across Texas was a difficult task, but it showed me how efficient a team can be when utilizing the right tools. Ensuring that everyone knows their roles allowed my team to split the assignment to make it manageable. The content that we focused on was not only interesting but applicable to my current and future role. I gained a better understanding of cultural competency, assessments, and signs related to crisis interventions. In my future role I will use my ability to work as a team with staff and students to accomplish a similar goal, directing the students to a future career path.

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I was unknowingly aware of the ABC model of crisis intervention. In my current job role I practice and follow this method. It was a good experience to get a full breakdown of each step which allowed me to gain a better understanding of the model. This information has been extremely useful . I was also able to gain new knowledge for each step. This exercise was not only informative but useful.

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Local Emergency and Non Emergency Support Services

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Local Emergency and Non Emergency Support Services

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The Center for Health Care Services:
https://chcsbc.org
Crisis number for children/ adults: 210-223-7233
Mental health services intake:
adults- 210-261-1250
children- 210-261-3350

San Antonio Police non emergency: (210) 207-7273

SAN ANTONIO'S INFORMATION & SERVICE REQUESTS: 3-1-1 (outside city limits: 210.207.6000) from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m

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Before this semester began I had never known about Padlet. It is such a great tool that allowed me to gather pertinent information relating to my future role. Being able to have a timeline of my artifacts and additional resources will be very convenient. Not only did it allow me to put the information I know now, but it will also allow me to add additional information as I see fit. I like that I can share this padlet to whomever I think would benefit from it. It is the gift that keeps on giving!

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People from various cultures hold different values, opinions, and life outlook. Being knowledgeable and respectful of each person’s cultural differences will allow me to provide individualized services. Based on their culture their risk factors, attitudes, and meaning of suicide will vary (Chu et al., 2017). In my future role being culturally competent will not only allow me to understand the student better but will also help build rapport.

Chu, J. P., Poon, G., Kwok, K. K., Leino, A. E., Goldblum, P., & Bongar, B. (2017). An assessment of training in and practice of culturally competent suicide assessment. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 11(2), 69–77. https://doi-org.easydb.angelo.edu/10.1037/tep0000147

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This resource will guide me in my practice by ensuring I conduct myself professionally at all times and making sure the program I am under is accessible to everyone. This provides steps to creating and maintaining a successful standardized program that is ethical for those involved.

nacac_guide-to-ethical-practice-in-college-admission_sept.-2020_final.pdf (nacacnet.org)

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Mental:

Local mental health authority- Bexar County: https://chcsbc.org/

CDC resources for mental health: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/tools-resources/index.htm

SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov/

NAMI: https://www.nami.org/home

Trauma:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Text- LOVEIS to 22522, call 1-800-799-7233, or visit thehotline.org

Resource center: https://ncsacw.samhsa.gov/resources/trauma/trauma-resource-center-websites.aspx

Local support group: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/groups/trauma-and-ptsd/tx/san-antonio

Crisis:

Crisis Text Line: Text MHA to 741741

Support & Hotlines: https://covid19.sanantonio.gov/Assistance/Residents/Counseling-Wellness-Resources

Suicide screening tool: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/research/research-conducted-at-nimh/asq-toolkit-materials/index.shtml

Additional:

IPS Works: https://ipsworks.org/

San Antonio community resource guide: http://www.fitcitysa.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Community-Resource-Guide_consolidated.pdf

San Antonio’s 311: https://311.sanantonio.gov/services

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Roles and Responsibilities of Advisors and Advisees | High Point University | High Point, NC