National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” - Maya Angelou Creative expression is a term often used to describe how thoughts or feelings are conveyed to the world around us. This can be done through mediums like poetry, music, painting, drawing, and more. In this session, please join Tori Wynecoop, LSW, Training and Technical Assistance Manager, and guest speaker, Amy Torchia from the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence to explore ways that creative expression can support us on our healing journeys. Collectively, we’ll discuss strategies and share examples of how we can engage in creative expression. This will give us the opportunity to embrace our imaginations and discover how our healing can blossom through our artistic creations. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gwAt67ej

We're excited to invite you to the second session of the Wildflower Path's six-part series, "Rooted in Presence: Nurturing Safety." In this session, we'll explore practical, accessible ways of cultivating a sense of safety in our bodies as we move together on the path of collective healing. This session, featuring Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW, CADC, NCDVTMH’s Associate Director, and Giada Matteine, Founder, Artistic, and Executive Director of WADE Dance Company, offers a welcoming space for those who have experienced trauma and those who support others in their healing. Together, we’ll share strategies for reclaiming our bodies and transforming ourselves from histories of harm into powerful catalysts for collective healing and vitality. Register now at: https://lnkd.in/g2u6WF2H

We're excited to announce our NCDVTMH Cafe discussion on our Evaluation Toolkit! Domestic violence programs are often required by funders to evaluate their work- or they may be interested in better understanding the impact and efficacy of their services. Other times, programs may have concerns about engaging in evaluation efforts. During this Cafe, Dr. Eleanor Lyon, Senior Research Advisor, and Heather Phillips, Research Director, will share and discuss NCDVTMH’s Evaluation Toolkit. This resource is developed in partnership with DV programs and survivors. It offers various tools to help programs better understand their efforts to implement and sustain trauma-informed practices within their organizations. During this interactive session, presenters will share tips and tools and hold space for dialogue about the ins and outs of program evaluation. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gxgHPiMm

We've got a few exciting learning offerings this month! Up first, another session in the WWV Training Series - "The Importance of Peers and Strengthening Peer Programming." Register now at https://lnkd.in/gYcnWiUA

The seed. The intention. The preparation. Please join NCDVTMH for our first session of the Wildflower Path webinar series. In this first session, we will introduce our upcoming mind-body-spirit (MBS) toolkit that is set to release in 2025 by describing its purpose, intention, and how to use it. Throughout our time together, we aim to help participants understand the benefits of MBS exercises by asking ourselves: What feels good to me? What kinds of practices might support others? This first session, and the sessions to follow, is an invitation to those who have experienced trauma, know someone who has experienced trauma, or provide support to those who have been impacted by trauma. Before the end of our time together, we will identify healing components of MBS practices that not only support our individual healing journeys but also support our efforts to heal as a community when we share ideas and practice together. Register now: https://lnkd.in/g4FSYjQ8

There's still time to register and join us today for this great webinar on Best Practices and Strategies for Safe Referrals, presented by Laurie Thompsen, MSW and Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW (IL), CADC (IL). This webinar is part of the Weave West Virginia Skills Integration Series. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gdvEsNii

As we welcome 2025, our NCDVTMH family wants to thank you for being part of our community of care, healing, and transformation. We're especially grateful for this incredible team that brings their whole hearts to this work every single day! Together, we've supported survivors, shared knowledge, and worked toward a world where everyone can thrive free from violence and coercion. Our commitment to this vital work only grows stronger with each passing year. Here's to continuing this journey together in 2025! ??

The National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, and Mental Health (NCDVTMH) stands in solidarity with Gisele Pelicot and commends her extraordinary courage and determination in pursuing justice. Her bravery in coming forward shines a light on substance use coercion and the all-too-common use of substances to facilitate and justify sexual violence. We stand with Gisele in demanding an end to this violence and raising awareness that the shame is not ours, as survivors, to hold - but belongs to the people that cause this harm and the society that allows it. To all survivors who have experienced similar forms of violence: Your pursuit of safety, justice, and healing matters. You are not alone. To learn more about ending substance use coercion, visit https://lnkd.in/gv8aUn6J.

Join us for our next WWV learning opportunity! Substance Use, Domestic Violence, and the Holidays: Part 2 December 10, 2024 │ 12:00-1:00 pm EST Presenters: Laurie Thompsen, MSW and Gabriela Zapata-Alma, LCSW (IL), CADC (IL) Register now: https://lnkd.in/gYcnWiUA (The Weave West Virginia Skills Integration is a monthly series that will build on the Weave West Virginia webinar training series (available on-demand), which offers a framework for understanding the intersections of substance use, domestic violence, and substance use coercion with a particular focus on pregnant and parenting people. Each session provides technical assistance for providers via applied learning, practical strategies, and resource sharing to create survivor-centered and trauma-informed organizations.)

Today, on #GivingTuesday, we reflect on the critical impact we've made together. NCDVTMH has empowered thousands of advocates and practitioners with resources and training that transform how communities respond to domestic violence and trauma. ?? This year, we've: ?? Responded to over 1,700 technical assistance requests, supporting advocates nationwide ?? Facilitated 122 training events, reaching nearly 9,000 participants ?? Advanced systemic change through contributing to federal initiatives like the: --US DHHS National Task Force on Maternal Mental Health --SAMHSA Technical Expert Panel on Gender-Based Violence, Behavioral Health and Recovery Supports --And advocating for policy changes and trauma-informed approaches that address the intersection of trauma, mental health, substance use, and domestic violence ?? Your support fuels our ability to equip advocates with tools and resources while working towards meaningful policy change. Together, we can make even more impact in the year ahead! ?? Donate now and join the movement for lasting change: https://lnkd.in/gZnbnpvt #GivingTuesday2024