Mental health practitioners from across the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Defense Department (DoD) participated in the Women’s Mental Health Webinar Series, which was held over three days in September 2020. In this live online training event, nationally recognized VA and DoD subject matter experts shared their knowledge on unique aspects of women’s mental health. The webinars were intended to make participants better equipped to understand the experiences of women veterans and service members, including the key influences of sex, gender, and reproductive cycle stages, thereby strengthening the continuity of care across systems, with an emphasis on pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment, and transitional experiences as they relate specifically to women. Participants included psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and behavioral health technicians.
Up to 8 hours of continuing education (CE) credits were available to participants who registered and attended the live webinar sessions and completed the participant survey according to instructions provided on the training platform: VHA TRAIN.
Enduring Training
For clinicians unable to attend the live webinar trainings, recordings are available on the VHA TRAIN training platform after October 26, 2020. DoD mental health providers interested in registering for the enduring training and obtaining continuing education (CE) credits should email dha.ncr.j-9.mbx.phcoe-womens-mental-health@mail.mil.
Presentations
Speakers’ presentations provided below are for reference purposes only.
Please note: Reviewing the presentations below is not sufficient to obtain CEs
Topic: Healing Through Awareness/Breaking Barriers: Then & Now
Presenter: Master Sgt. Deondra Parks (DoD) This training about resiliency is intended for clinicians and health care teams. Learn about Master Sgt. Parks’ traumatic experience and how determination and self-advocacy helped in her physical and mental recovery.
Registration here: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095026/Topic: Depression in Women
Presenter: Dr. Margaret Altemus (VA)
This training is not yet available. Please check back for the link.Topic: Intersectionality and Cultural Competence
Presenter: Dr. Holly O’Reilly (DoD)
This training provides an overview of cross-cultural clinical work with female service members and veterans and will help clinicians understand how intersectionality can foster greater understanding of an individual’s experiences.
Registration here: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095027/Topic: Women’s Mental Health Across the Lifecycle
Presenter: Dr. Laura J. Miller (VA)
This training provides an overview of women-specific influences on mental health throughout the lifespan, from in utero influences through adolescence, pregnancy, the postpartum period, the transition to menopause, and aging.
Registration here: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095025/Topic: Deployment Stressors Unique to Military Women
Topic: Insomnia: Gender-Specific Considerations
Presenter: Col. Jennifer C. Chow (DoD)
This training discusses deployment stressors unique to women, including practical considerations of equipment and self-care, mental health stressors such as sexual assault/harassment, and relationship/family concerns.
Registration here: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095177/Topic: Insomnia: Gender-Specific Considerations
Presenters: Dr. Sarah Kate McGowan (VA) and Dr. Carla M. York
This training discusses general principles and application of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) with a focus on conceptualizing and adapting treatment recommendations for women.
Registration here: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095179/Topic: Substance Use Disorders in Women
Presenter: Dr. Grace Change (VA)
This training reviews the nature of substance use disorders, unique issues based on sex and gender, and the consequences of opioid and alcohol use disorders.
Registration here: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095178/Topic: Sexual Health and Sexual Dysfunction
Presenters: Dr. Melissa Foynes (VA) and Dr. Kate McGraw (DoD)
This training raises awareness of the complex issues surrounding sexual dysfunction among female service members and veterans.
Registration here: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095228/