VISN 20 Northwest MIRECC - Education

Goals and Objectives of MIRECC Education

• To develop innovative approaches for high quality MH continuing education
• To create collaborative education and training programs with other VA, federal, state and community agencies, especially related to core MIRECC focus areas
• To cooperate with other MIRECCs and COEs in offering regional and national training programs in mental health

Educational Products:

• Best Practices Manual for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Compensation and Pension Examination.
• The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) for DSM-IV
• CD-ROM independent study program that has been widely disseminated across the VA to complement the manual.
• MIRECC Presents lectures in closed captioned DVD format

Sample of Current Educational Outreach Activities:

MIRECC Presents lectures

• Twice monthly EES accredited v-tel education series on mental health issues
• Broadcast to approximately 22 Medical Centers and CBOC’s in VISN 20

Rural Outreach

• 2008-2009 Clergy Trainings: “Addressing the Needs of Your Congregation’s Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and Their Families”
• Upcoming training in September 2011: Mental health conference for rural providers in Bend, OR and surrounding areas

Suicide Prevention

• Case based discussion on how to enhance suicide awareness, clinical interventions and systems improvement
• Dedicated 4 lectures annually in MIRECC Presents series

VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment

• VA Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment has trained approximately 13 Postdoctoral Psychology Fellows and 6 Physician Fellows
• For more information: http://www.mirecc.va.gov/mirecc-fellowship.asp