Event Categories: All Meetings & Events

William James College is pleased to present…

America is Watching:
Response to the Opioid Crisis in New England

The William James College Annual Forum convenes thought leaders to address societal issues that affect mental health. Our 2016 event, Opioid Crisis: Thinking Outside the Box focused on innovative harm reduction strategies, approaches to racial and ethnic disparities in access to treatment, and state of the art prevention and early intervention programs. Our 2017 Forum, Moving Beyond Stigma, addressed personal, social and institutional stigma of mental illness and substance use. Three panels of community leaders, business professionals and first responders convened to discuss stigma as a barrier to care and develop strategies for change.

The six New England states have been severely impacted by the opioid epidemic; yet they have taken the lead in generating novel treatment and early intervention programs. Through five panel discussions,America is Watching: Response to the Opioid Crisis in New England will delineate government initiatives, describe innovative approaches to increasing access to care, examine what constitutes quality treatment, and explore controversial treatments. The Forum will provide ample time for networking and interacting with individuals from various agencies and businesses that address the opioid crisis. The expected attendees for this Forum include policymakers, academicians, business and community leaders, clinicians, families and first responders.

• Every day, more than 115 Americans die after overdosing on opioids.
• The rate of drug overdose deaths in the six northeastern states remains at or above the national average.
• More than a quarter of Massachusetts residents say they know someone who died of a fatal opioid overdose.

WHEN: Thursday, September 20, 2018 | 8:00 am – 3:45 pm

WHERE: Back Bay Events Center
180 Berkeley St.
Boston, MA 02116

COST: 6 CE Credits: $100 for MA/Doctoral level | $50 for AA/BA/Other level
No CE Credits: Free
Lunch is included!

For more Information and to Register click HERE.

Conversations – October 2018 – Training

The Intersection of Trauma and Homelessness

Tuesday, October 16, 2018 (1:00 – 2:30 pm)

The City of Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA  01854

Individuals who are homeless are some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Tied into that vulnerability is a distrust of systems that have sometimes treated them poorly. Therefore this training is meant to address some of the causes of homelessness that might affect how patients view us, so that as service providers we can better support our most vulnerable patients. The core of the talk will work to help attendees better appreciate the complexity of homelessness in order to help frame a compassionate approach to those suffering. Topics to be addressed include:

• Burden of medical and behavioral health issues borne by the chronically homeless
• Relationship between trauma and homelessness – cause, context, and consequence
• Pervasiveness of trauma in society, and it’s correlation with health
• Trauma informed care practice, harm reduction philosophy, and motivational interviewing techniques
• Application of trauma informed care practices in service of homeless persons

Presenting will be Kevin Sullivan, MD, Physician with Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. As a physician on the Street Team, Dr. Sullivan sees patients on street rounds, on home visits, at Massachusetts General Hospital, at the Boston Night Center, and at the Barbara McInnis House, a 104-bed respite facility for patients experiencing homelessness. In conjunction with the Crimson Care Collaborative, Dr. Sullivan developed and oversees a program for MD, NP, and PA students to provide care to patients at the Boston Night Center.

To register, please email dcollier@glss.net .

Registration spaces are offered on a first come first served basis.

There is no charge for this training.

Teen Depression—Addressing Stress

For Parents, Caregivers, Teachers, School Counselors and Staff, Youth Workers, and anyone interested in Teen Mental Health

Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 7:00 PM ET/ 4:00 PM PT

Faced with balancing school, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, social interactions, and family issues, teens today often struggle to stay afloat. Those who have suffered trauma and those whose communities are under-resourced or unsafe may face additional stressors. Caring adults can help teens alleviate stress and depression symptoms by encouraging development of positive coping skills.

Join our free webinar live or on demand as Amy Saltzman, M.D., teaches adults how to identify stress and depression in teens, use the power of mindfulness-based stress reduction in difficult times, and truly listen without judgement. During the webinar, caring adults will also learn how to respond—rather than react—to teens during emotionally-charged conversations. Amy Saltzman M.D., is a holistic physician, mindfulness coach, scientist, wife, mother, devoted student of transformation, long-time athlete, and occasional poet. Her passion is supporting people of all ages in enhancing their wellbeing and discovering the “Still Quiet Place” within. She is recognized by her peers as a visionary and pioneer in the fields of mindfulness for youth and holistic medicine.

Featured Speakers