Enhancing Knowledge Through Online Learning

Bimonthly online discussions are continuing education opportunities for mental health interpreters and clinicians who work with deaf consumers.  QMHI's are required to have 40 contact hours of continuing education per year.

You can go to this URL  https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting- for more information on how to join the webinar.  More tips for using Zoom can be found HERE

All presentations are in the form of a webinar.  Links to the webinar will be sent out the same day as the event. This year our webinars will be hosted on Zoom.  To use this platform, please read documents on the Zoom Website.

Important:  In order to ensure time to process your registration, the completed form and payment must be received 7 days prior to the event you wish to join.

The registration fee for all online discussions in the calendar year 2025 is just $35.*  

How to Register:

  • Send a check for $35.00 made out to ADARA- MHIT Fund along with the completed form to:

Shannon Reese, Services Coordinator
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Office of Deaf Services
P.O. Box 301410
Montgomery, AL  36130

* January to December.  This fee is NOT pro-rated. 

Upcoming Events

Note New Times for 2025

All Events run 6:00 - 8:00 PM Central Time

2025 Events 

May 13             Body Image and Ableism in Deaf Youth                              Presenter: Claire Ryan

July 8                Neurodivergence in Mental Health                                        Presenter: Rayne Depukat

September 9   LBQTIA+ Art Therapy                                                              Presenter: Kurt Oster

November 18  Development of the theory of mind                                    (ToM) in DHH children and the lifelong                                implications of ToM deficits                                                   Presenter: Cathy Chovaz

             

"Now Showing"

“Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking of People with Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges”

March 11, 2025

All discussions are conducted from
6:00 - 8:00 Central Standard Time (CST) (Note New Time)

Presentation Flyer Available for Download HERE

Presented by:

Damien Marsh, MSW

Damien K. Marsh graduated from Gallaudet University with a B.S. in History and a master’s in social work. He is currently in the PSY.D program at Gallaudet. He grew up in Los Angeles and recently moved to Washington DC from Wyoming, Damien worked at a long-term residential treatment center for high-risk teenagers for 7 years, rising to senior residential care professional. He has a passion for supporting high-risk teenagers with human trafficking trauma and hopes to work someday as a school psychologist for high-risk teenagers in his hometown of LA California .

The Purpose of the Training 

This Bi-monthly online discussion will provide participants with opportunities to interact with interpreters and clinicians in the field of deafness, explore research articles, discuss presentations, and apply the online discussion to service provision.

Human trafficking is a growing crisis, and individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions are among the most vulnerable. Traffickers prey on those who may struggle with communication barriers, dependence on caregivers, or social isolation—making them easy targets for exploitation. Many victims are coerced through manipulation, false promises, or even threats to their safety and well-being.

The Objectives of the Training:

  • Explore the intersection of disability, mental health, and human trafficking.

  • Analyze warning signs, prevention strategies, and survivor-centered approaches to supporting those impacted.

  • Challenge misconceptions on human trafficking for people with disabilities
    .

After the Training, participants will

  • Name two prevention strategies for human trafficking and people with disabilities.
  • Identify potential collaboration across advocacy, healthcare, and law enforcement sectors.
  • Recognize three tools for assessing human trafficking among the disabled in the mental health field
    .

Pre-reading: NA 

Target Audience:

Interpreters in Mental Health, Community Interpreters, Mental Health Professionals, School Counselors