Trainings Offered
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants about mental health and substance-use issues. We will have training for both adults and for adults who serve youth. This training is offered in both Spanish and English and is available virtual, in-person, and hybrid. Free CEUs. This training offers 7.5 continuing education training credits.
In this 3-part training, we focus on the six basic principles or pillars of Trauma Informed Care as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) including safety, connections, and managing emotions. We explain how to use this information to accurately assess patients, improve provider-patient relationships, and understand what a trauma-informed organization is while minimizing distress and maximizing patient autonomy. Free CEUs. This training offers 2 continuing education training credits per session for a total of 6 CEUs for the entire series. Offered in English and Spanish, virtual.
This training examines the ACE Study and how cumulative trauma affects brain development, stress response systems, and long-term health. Participants will explore how trauma exposure impacts individuals and communities, including those frequently encountered in crisis response. The session highlights protective factors and resilience-building approaches that support both community members and responder wellness. Offered in English and Spanish. Free CEU’s. This training is 90 minutes.
TSL addresses mental health, suicide, and prevention. This is geared towards Latinx and Hispanic populations and for people who serve Latinx and Hispanic communities. Free CEU’s. This training is 90 minutes. Offered in English and Spanish.
Verbal intervention training equips individuals with communication techniques to de-escalate conflicts, manage crises, and provide support effectively through dialogue, empathy, active listening, and non-violent communication strategies. Free CEU’s, this training is 4 hours. Offered in English and Spanish.
In this training we explore cultural concepts of distress and values unique to Hispanic and Latinx communities, discuss the pertinence of cultural idioms of distress in mental health treatment, and review culturally appropriate approaches to working with Latinx/Hispanic clients while applying an ethical lens in rural practice. Offered in English and Spanish. Free CEU’s. This training is 90 minutes.
All classes have been approved for CEUs by NLBHA as a NAADAC approved CE provider, the NMDOH Office of Community Health Workers, and NM CBBHP.
Upcoming Trainings
Breaking the Stigma – A Review of Barriers and Culturally Grounded Approaches for Serving Hispanic/Latinx Populations
Trainer: Lucila Beaton
In this training we explore cultural concepts of distress and values unique to Hispanic and Latinx communities, discuss the pertinence of cultural idioms of distress in mental health treatment, and review culturally appropriate approaches to working with Latinx/Hispanic clients while applying an ethical lens in rural practice. Offered in English and Spanish. Free CEU’s. This training is 90 minutes.
ACE’s and Community Resilience – Understanding Trauma Toxic Stress
Trainer: Lucila Beaton
This 90-minute training examines the ACE Study and how cumulative trauma affects brain development, stress response systems, and long-term health. Participants will explore how trauma exposure impacts individuals and communities, including those frequently encountered in crisis response. The session highlights protective factors and resilience-building approaches that support both community members and responder wellness.
Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care: Foundations for Practice
Trainer: Lucila Beaton
This 90-minute introductory session provides a foundational overview of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and its role in improving patient and organizational outcomes. Participants will explore the six core principles of Trauma-Informed Care as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), including safety, trust, connection, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural responsiveness. The training will examine how trauma impacts behavior, engagement, and health outcomes, and introduce practical strategies to improve provider–patient relationships while minimizing distress and promoting autonomy. Participants will gain tools to begin assessing services through a trauma-informed lens and understand what it means to build a trauma-informed organization.
Verbal Intervention – Crisis Prevention Institute
Trainer: Enrique Escalera, NLBHA Sr. Project Coordinator
Parents, peer specialists, promotores, and behavioral health professionals working in family, community, and clinical settings. This 4-hour interactive workshop introduces participants to Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)–aligned, nonviolent de-escalation principles and prepares community-based helpers to model and teach foundational crisis prevention skills within their roles. Participants will learn how crisis behaviors develop, how to respond early using verbal de-escalation, and how to maintain personal safety, boundaries, and dignity in emotionally charged situations. The training emphasizes trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches appropriate for families, peer support, outreach, and behavioral health settings. This workshop also introduces trainer readiness concepts, supporting participants who may later pursue CPI Instructor (Train-the-Trainer) certification when sponsored by an organization. This training is preparatory and educational. It does not certify participants as CPI Instructors and does not include physical restraint techniques.
Talk Saves Lives
Trainer: Enrique Escalera, NLBHA Sr. Project Coordinator
This 90-minute suicide prevention training addresses mental health, suicide risk, and prevention strategies through a culturally responsive lens focused on Latinx and Hispanic communities. Participants will gain an understanding of the scope of suicide nationally and within Hispanic populations, common risk and protective factors, warning signs, and how to have supportive conversations with individuals who may be struggling. The session explores cultural strengths, community connectedness, family dynamics, stigma, and barriers to care that influence help-seeking behaviors. Participants will leave with practical tools to recognize risk, respond with confidence, and connect individuals to appropriate resources. This training is designed for professionals, community leaders, promotores, educators, healthcare providers, and anyone serving Latinx and Hispanic communities.
