Overview
Veteran Peer Support Specialist Training Course 2: Co-occurring Disorders and Treatment Resources
Through a series of interactive instructional videos narrated by Behavioral Health experts, this three module, online, self-paced, training course explores the idea that military Veterans share a unique identity and lived experience. VPSSTC2 provides participants with comprehensive training that highlights the Veteran point of view regarding co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and available evidence-based treatments. This course also guides participants through effective case management strategies and identifies state and federal resources providing behavioral health support to Veterans and their families. Completion of the course prepares Peer Support Specialists to work with and better understand Veteran Peers and their families and promotes productive personal and professional connections with this unique Peer population.
Module 1: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders and Recovery
Module 2: Person First Language and Mental Health Treatment
Module 3: Connecting to Resources and Case Management
Target Audience
Peer Support Specialists as well as other Human Services professionals who would like to increase their knowledge of military and Veteran culture and the behavioral health issues relevant to this unique population.
Modality
This course consists of 3 online self-paced modules, each approximately 30-45 minutes in length. Participants must complete all 3 modules, their respective end of module quizzes, a pre-test, a post-test, and a course evaluation to receive a certificate of completion. This course takes approximately 2 hours to complete.
Policies and ADA Accessibility
If you require any of the auxiliary aids or services identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in this program, please call us at (919) 843-6083, or e-mail us at bhs-support@unc.edu. Websites and courses have been developed in compliance of US Section 508 standards where applicable or meeting W3C priority 1 guidelines for web accessibility.
Please send all questions, concerns, and support inquiries to bhs-support@unc.edu.
Training Details
Module 1: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders and Recovery
This module consists of three videos and provides Peer Support Specialists with: A detailed definition of co-occurring mental health disorder (also referred to as comorbidity); a description of anxiety and mood disorders and severe mental illness; explanations of personality and neurocognitive disorders; a discussion of the factors that contribute to substance use, a description of the criteria used to diagnose substance use disorder as well as current statistics on substance use; and an overview of evidence based recovery resources.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
-
Define co-occurring mental health disorder (also known as comorbidity).
-
Identify examples of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and severe mental illness and recognize the common symptoms of each disorder.
-
Identify examples of personality and neurocognitive disorders and recognize the common symptoms of each disorder.
-
Define substance use disorder.
-
Identify the factors (biology, psychology, and social circumstance) that contribute to substance use disorder.
-
Describe evidence-based treatments for mental health and substance use disorders.
Module 2: Person First Language and Mental Health Treatment
This module consists of three videos and provides Peer Support Specialists with: An explanation of the significance of word choice and the impact of language on patient outcomes; a description of routine, outpatient, mental health evaluation; a detailed description of what is likely to occur during the first visit with a mental health provider; an explanation of the types of mental health providers a patient may see during an appointment; a description of resources that support family and child mental health in North Carolina; and an explanation of the types of evidence based treatments available to treat children experiencing mental health illness.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
-
Explain the significance of word choice and the impact of language on the patient-provider relationship.
-
Describe the components of routine, outpatient mental health evaluation.
-
Define and describe the types of mental health providers.
-
List resources that support family and child mental health in North Carolina.
-
Describe evidence-based treatments available to treat children.
Module 3: Connecting to Resources and Case Management
This module consists of three videos and provides Peer Support Specialists with: Practical advice on where to get started when identifying resources and services for Veterans; a list of questions to consider during an initial meeting with a Veteran Peer in need of assistance; a description of the four dimensions of mental health recovery; and a detailed model of the critical thinking necessary for effective case management and navigation of services and resources.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
-
Give examples of questions to consider during an initial meeting with a Veteran Peer in need of assistance.
-
Identify the four dimensions of mental health recovery (health, home, purpose, and community).
-
Describe the process for connecting families to mental health services.
-
Define case management and explain the importance of critical thinking when navigating the network of services and resources available to Veterans and their families.
Register
- Please be sure to be logged on to the BHS site.
- Click the button below "Take Me to the Course" to enter the course. The course will open in a new tab.
- You can always re-visit the course by visiting your "My Courses" tab on your account page.
Continuing Education
Successful completion of this course provides 2 contact hours toward the additional 20 hour requirement for Certified Peer Support Specialist-Military Designation.
