Focus Fridays

recognizing

Risk

Equip yourself with the tools in suicide prevention to recognize those at risk.

The training series is designed for behavioral health professionals committed to making a difference in suicide prevention, empowering participants with cutting-edge strategies to identify and intervene effectively with high-risk populations and occupations.

Well-Being across

the Lifespan

Identify cognitive, emotional, and social concerns from birth through older adulthood.

This training series guides behavioral health professionals in identifying cognitive, emotional, and social concerns from infancy to older adulthood. Each session highlights how developmental needs evolve with age and offers evidence‑based frameworks paired with practical strategies to support individuals as they navigate life’s many transitions and challenges.

What You'll Learn

Supporting Well-Being Across the Lifespan.

Recognizing Concerns

Identify challenges through the lifespan.

Foster Supportive Environments

Create safe and supportive spaces for individuals.

Resources & Tools

Gain access to valuable research, tools, and resources to facilitate your work.

Upcoming Trainings

Construction Safety

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention: The Next Dimension in Safety

Explore suicide risk factors in construction and educate leaders on protective measures to build a caring culture. See Details

May 8, 2026, 8:30 - 10:30am CDT
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Sonya Bohmann

Suicidality in Geriatric Care

Unveiling the Silent Struggle

Enhance your skills in geriatric suicidality to identify risk factors, warning signs, interventions, best practices, self-care for providers, and resources. See Details

June 12, 2026, 8:30 - 10:30am CDT
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Todd Sigler, PsyD, LP, NCC

Teaching Our Boys How to Cry

Examine how masculinity norms suppress boys’ emotional expression and contribute to rising male suicide rates, while offering evidence‑based strategies to build emotional resilience. See Details

July 17, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Elan Javanfard, LMFT

Male Suicide

Half the Man I Used to Be: Male Suicide Is Killing Us

Highlight the urgent need for male‑specific suicide prevention, as men account for 80% of U.S. suicide deaths yet remain overlooked in standard interventions See Details

August 14, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Bart Andrews, PhD

Infertility and Pregnancy Loss

Supporting Clients Through Infertility and Pregnancy Loss

Explore the emotional, relational, and social impacts of infertility and pregnancy loss while equipping clinicians with evidence‑informed tools for compassionate, effective support. See Details

September 11, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Julie Kull, LCSW

Growing Minds and Modern Highs

Impacts of Today's THC, Hemp & Kratom

Equip participants to recognize and address the rising risks of high‑potency substances among youth using evidence‑based strategies and practical communication tools. See Details

October 9, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Julie Dreifaldt

The Sandwich Generation

Navigating Caregiving, Career, and Financial Strain

Examine the growing pressures of sandwich caregiving and offer practical strategies to support working caregivers while strengthening family stability and workforce sustainability. See Details

November 13, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm CST
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Tia Sauceda

The State of Modern Youth

Navigating Screens, Substances & Pressures

Explore the complex digital, social, and developmental pressures shaping modern adolescence while offering evidence‑based strategies to support youth safety and healthy growth. See Details

December 18, 2026, 10:00am - 12:00pm CST
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Crystal Collier, PhD, LPC-S

Mindfulness is a Dirty Word

Reframe mindfulness as a practical, evidence‑based tool that helps families reduce anxiety, strengthen regulation, and build resilience through the power of the present moment. See Details

January 15, 2027, 10:00am - 12:00pm CST
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Elan Javanfard, M.A., LMFT

Postpartum

Supporting Postpartum Emotional Adjustment in Clinical Practice

Examine the mental health challenges of the postpartum period and equip clinicians with tools to provide timely, informed, and compassionate support. See Details

February 12, 2027, 10:00am - 12:00pm CST
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Julie Kull, LCSW

The Neuroscience of High-Risk Behavior

Implications for Prevention

Examine how alcohol, drugs, technology overuse, and other high‑risk behaviors disrupt adolescent brain development and inform effective prevention strategies. See Details

March 12, 2027, 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Crystal Collier, PhD, LPC-S

Perimenopause and Menopause

A Wholistic Approach to Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause

Explore perimenopause and menopause by deepening understanding of symptoms, current treatment best practices, and the broader life impacts that shape individual support needs. See Details

April 16, 2027, 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Jamie Pekarek Krohn, LPC

Aging with Insight

Practical Essentials for Behavioral Health Professionals

Strengthen behavioral health professionals’ capacity to improve care for older adults using essential tools and strategies. See Details

May 14, 2027, 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Trainer(s): Todd Sigler, PsyD, LP, NCC

questions about Focus Friday series?

BHTP Trainer Liz Bartz can help. Contact Liz at 920-465-2361 or via email at bartze@uwgb.edu.