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Hi!
Welcome to my Padlet.
I am Kaitlyn Hubbard. I am a graduate student at Angelo State University. I am in the Mental Health and Wellness Counseling Program. I currently am in my 5th year as a Special Education teacher. I have seen first hand kids from 8-18 years old go without the needed mental health services and the toll that has taken on them. I look forward to one day being someone to help them in that area. Through this course I look forward to learning more in depth about the various mental health disorders and the multitude of ways to provide intervention.
Personal Goal- I am a firm believer in exploring this beautiful world. I have set a personal goal of exploring three new places this year: One local, One state, and One international. First stop is Nicaragua in March!
Professional Goal- To complete the year in great academic standing in order to graduate in December with the next step of taking on the LPC bridge program.

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Through our first assignment I quickly learned that my knowledge of the prevalence of the different mental health issues is lacking. A few of my peers were also blown away by the statistics and I think this just goes to show us all the lack of attention the topic of mental health is getting. My peers contributed many interesting and thought provoking articles that I'd like to further read. I like how we are thinking about the environmental influences on our mental health: social media, exercise, clean eating, etc.

Social Media Influence:
https://www.mga.edu/news/2022/06/is-social-media-bad-for-your-mental-health.php#:~:text=Research%20studies%20note%20the%20connection,adults%20(APA%2C%202022).

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Wow! I am amazed at what little knowledge I had about certain mental health disorders, specifically the ones related to Psychosis. It is incredible how close knit most of these disorders are and how frequently the co-exists with each other. When looking at the causes of them it all (for the most part) circles back to the biological, environmental, psychological, and genetic factors. I really enjoyed some of the YouTube and Ted Talk videos I found of people discussing their personal experiences with certain mental health disorders; very enlightening!

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Reference Guide for Mental Health Disorders Template

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Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Leveraging the Best Available Evidence

Trauma and COVID

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Starting this soon! How are you taking care of your own Mental Health?

Update: I never read the book (lol)! I got distracted by another novel called Living Untethered: Beyond the Human Predicament!

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I chose to watch the documentary Unabomber: In His Own Words.
Initial thoughts: I feel kind of silly not knowing much about Ted Kaczynski and his story. I chose this documentary though for that exact reason. I look forward to expanding my knowledge on him and diving deeper into the possible factors contributing to his actions.

Update: Wow! I am so glad I watched that documentary. Of course I feel bad for the victims, their families, and Ted's family, but I can't help put feel for Ted, too. The documentary explains various things Ted went through that caused him trauma: hospital stay, skipping a grade, social outcast, Harvard experiment, gender confusion, lack of family acceptance/support. It seems all the signs were there, but nobody reached out to help him.
Primary and organizational trauma were the most prevalent throughout the documentary.

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As a Licensed Professional Counselor it is your ethical and moral responsibility to abide by the Code of Ethics approved by the ACA Governing Counsel.  As a future LPC, these Code of Ethics will serve as my guidebook for all things: confidentiality, relationships (professional/counseling), professional responsibility and more.

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Sometimes collaboration and the use of many different health professionals is warranted depending on a clients needs.
1. Providing appropriate assessment in areas of concerns.
2. Consider referrals and be prepared to explain your reasoning for making the referral along with the benefits it will provide to your client.
3. Reach out to colleagues with suggestions and advice if needing a second opinion.
4. Present the information and allow client to express their own thoughts.
5. If they do not wish for outside professional help talk about next steps within your counseling relationship.
6. If they agree, have them sign the release form and communicate with referral source.
7. Assist in setting up the appointment with the referral professional.
8. Agree on what information will be forwarded.
9. Follow up with your client to ensure comfortability and follow through on their end.

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Dissecting Rosa's case was very interesting. It was intriguing to look at it from the four separate angles: physical, emotional, social/relational, and cognitive/mental. Doing it this way made me see that their are multiple different things Rosa is going through and needing assistance with. It also helped me see the various supports she needed to help her with her entire situation. I like how the assignment started with the "Achieving a Relationship" portion. As a teacher, I cannot stress enough the importance of building relationships on trust, empathy, and understanding. In Rosa's case, she has been through some very defeating and intense things. If you do not build that relationship with her she is apt to not share the things a counselor may need to know in order to best help her and her family.

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Cultural competence is important for better serving a population that is becoming more and more ethnically and culturally diverse (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 2003).
"Cultural competence requires an understanding of the historical, social, and political events that affect the physical and mental health of culturally diverse groups" (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003).
"To respond effectively to the mental health needs of all, crisis counseling programs must be sensitive to the unique experiences, beliefs, norms, values, traditions, customs, and language of each individual, regardless of his or her racial, ethnic, or cultural background" (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003).
When we fully understand someone and who they are, what they believe in, and what is acceptable to them, we are able to better provide services to meet their needs. When we provide services that better meet their needs, we are able to help them to the fullest extent possible.

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Suicide has always been a major issue, but with the onset of COVID we are seeing more of a prevalence. After working in a high school for 4 years, I learned how hush hush school districts are when it comes to their students attempting or committing suicide. It is sickening. Prevention plans like this need to be collaboratively worked on and dissected by all staff so everyone is on the same page when it comes to prevention and intervention.

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I stress the importance of traveling a lot. It goes beyond seeing the various and beautiful places. Through these experiences you find yourself: what you value and believe. You also grow a deeper connection with your world. You begin to appreciate the earth and what it has to offer us. You begin to appreciate people and their diversity. It comes with a sense of understanding and belonging.
Traveling has helped me with my lows. I encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone and do the same!

This photo was taken in December 2019 on Phi Phi Islands. One word: INCREDIBLE!

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I have thoroughly enjoyed this course. Obviously mental health is a huge interest of mine and being able to take a deeper look into the various mental health disorders has been very enlightening. It has also just confirmed my choice to pursue my education in this field.
It was also very interesting to learn about trauma and the various types. I was intrigued by it because I didn't realize the different types and how it can effect so many even if they don't experience it first hand.
The crisis process has been helpful to me as an educator. In my 5th year as an educator I have had no training or insight into crisis prevention or intervention, which I feel is horrible. I haven't felt adequately prepared to deal with certain things and my research into crisis prevention through this course has been very insightful.
Thank you Dr. Lyons for such an insightful course! I appreciate this stepping stone in my journey.

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1. Get outside! You would be amazed by the healing powers of the ground and our sun. Go for a walk, a hike, anything!
2. Look at your diet. The right amount of protein, carbs, water, and sugars really effects you.
3. Find a hobby: read, journal, join a league, anyway to express yourself.
4. Exercise! You only get one vessel (your body). Take care of it!
5. Make sure the connections you are making with others are meaningful and true.

These seem obvious, but they aren't practiced daily but so many people. Be diligent and mindful!

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PFA Certificate
This training provided guidance on how to provide short term assistance to people who experienced a disaster. Although the strategies presented seemed so simple, they are very effective in helping people through whatever disaster they experienced.
Here are the eight core actions:
1. Contact and Engagement
2. Safety and Comfort
3. Stabilization (if needed)
4. Information Gathering on Current Needs and Concerns
5. Practical Assistance
6. Connection to Social Supports
7. Information on Coping
8. Linkage with Collaborative Supports

A website with further information and explanation of the benefits of PFA: https://www.nctsn.org/treatments-and-practices/psychological-first-aid-and-skills-for-psychological-recovery/about-pfa

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Psychological First Aid (PFA) Online_Certificate

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Emergency-
911
Hill Country MHDD Crisis Hotline: 877-466-0660
Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center: 830-664-3574

Non-Emergency-
Blanco County Community Resource Center: 830-868-0208
K'STAR: 830-896-5437
Blanco County Child Advocacy: 512-934-0212
Blanco Co-Op: 830-833-4337
Hill Country MHDD: 830-792-3300

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Developing cultural competence in disaster mental health programs: Guiding principles and recommendations. (2003). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substances Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services. https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS49311

Hutchison, L., Zbrog, M., Freberg, L., & Stitt, A. (2022, November 3). The use of referrals in therapy & counseling. Counseling Schools. Retrieved March 1, 2023, from https://www.counselingschools.com/blog/counseling-referrals

Troijan, E., Halpern, E. (Executive Producers). (2018-2023). Unabomber: In His Own Words [TV Series]. IMDbPro; Netflix.

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Dr. Tracey Marks' YouTube Channel: Mental Health Doesn't Have to Be a Mystery
https://www.youtube.com/@DrTraceyMarks

TEA's Grief/Trauma - Informed Trainings, Interventions, Frameworks, and Supplemental Programs
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/other-services/mental-health/grief-informed-trauma-informed-practices

Colleen Hoover's books have been such an outlet for me when I need to clear my mind. She wrights about related, yet tough topics. Give her a chance!
https://www.colleenhoover.com/

ACE's- https://easydb.angelo.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=2236579&site=eds-live&scope=site&ebv=EB&ppid=pp_Cover

Cultural Competency in School Crisis Plans- https://easydb.angelo.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edshol&AN=edshol.hein.journals.wjsv10.4&site=eds-live&scope=site