Highlands Behavioral Health System

We're hiring nurses and more! Take it from Shannon, one of our Nurse Managers, who says it's as fulfilling and supportive as it gets. She loves dogs, hiking and has an immense passion for psychiatric care. If you want to work with Shannon and our fantastic team, you can learn more about career opportunities with Highlands Behavioral Health by visiting, http://spklr.io/6041tGA5.

Presenting our biggest event yet, this upcoming World Suicide Prevention Day! We are teaming up with Centennial Peaks Hospital and CCA Inc. - Corporate Counseling Associates for the first annual “An Afternoon of Hope: Empowering Conversations, Saving Lives,” on Sept. 10 from 12 to 3 p.m. We have a stacked lineup of experts on the world’s stage encouraging open discussion of suicide awareness and sharing lived experience stories - all to tackle the stigma beyond the mental health field. This will be nationally-hosted and broadcasted - some speakers will be on location in Denver and others streaming with live audiences from other major cities in the United States. You can sign up to attend virtually or in-person, but the experience will be richer on-site, and there will be free food! To register, please visit http://spklr.io/6180sCfs. If you're a mental healthcare professional, be sure to notate in your registration, as we will be issuing continued education credits. We hope to see you there!

We felt the love, appreciation and comradery at our Employee Appreciation Cookout last week, and the spread was delightful. Nothing like a good 'ole summer cookout, especially when the temperatures are back down in the double digits, and we can stand to be outside! The timing couldn't have been better!

Join us in welcoming our new Director of Outpatient Services, Ms. Madison B., M.A., LPC! Prior to this, Ms. Madison held the position of director of enrollment for intensive outpatient programs, serving in both a clinical and operational role. In the past, she was a clinical coordinator and psychotherapist in private practice, assisting in both the evaluation and treatment of clients following traumatic experiences. She has worked in residential, outpatient, and partial hospitalization settings with children, adolescents, and adults and her training has focused on providing trauma-informed care through time-limited, short-term interventions. She brings with her skills in crisis intervention, clinic management, program evaluation, and an interest in clinical outcome research. Madison grew up in a small town in central Pennsylvania and spent many years doing medical volunteer work in the rural regions of Honduras. Through this experience, she has developed a long-standing interest in different cultures, cultivating a background that allows her to bring an effective multicultural perspective to her work. Her interests include travel, reading and creative writing, and spending time with her dog, Mac, and her cat, Cheese!

Thank you to Kai Dunn LCSW, LAC for your powerful, insightful presentation last week on Gender Affirming Care for Clinicians. It was one of the most engaging events yet - and couldn't be a more relevant topic to explore. If you missed it, they'll be presenting at our sister hospital, Centennial Peaks, today and you can join in-person or virtually. Reach out to Alex at [email protected] if you would like the Zoom link, otherwise, we look forward to seeing the community today!

On July 18, we have a very special continued education presentation! Kai Dunn, They/Them LCSW, LAC, will be joining us to speak on gender-affirming care for clinicians. This will explore the clinician's role in gender-affirming care, including research and recommendations, and address legal and ethical issues. Kai Dunn (they/them) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Addictions Counselor who specializes in trauma, relationships, and LGBTQ+ support. They have experience working with teens and adults in a variety of settings, including residential treatment, schools, and integrated care, as well as teaching undergraduate and graduate students as an adjunct faculty. Please save your spot by visiting http://spklr.io/6048Ss9q, and join us for free lunch, education and networking!

We recently got in on the sensational hype that is pickleball! We sponsored the The Juvenile Assessment Center - Centennial, CO inaugural pickleball tournament, and enjoyed live music, raffles, BBQ and community. What better way to raise money for youth programming than to enjoy one of America's new favorite sports. Thank you for having us!

It was scorching hot, but it was jammin'! If only our Director, Matthew Lakin aka "No Nonsense" got up on the stage and rapped with the other artists! Highlands Behavioral Health teamed up with our sister hospital Centennial Peaks Hospital to sponsor the CrossPurpose 2024 Summer Jam last Friday. We're proud to have represented amongst other community resources, families, sumo wrestling and silent disco vibes! Thank you to CrossPurpose for having us!

Reminder: Pride doesn't end. All are welcome at Highlands Behavioral Health - this fact is woven into the fabric of the work we do every day, not just the month of June. In the spirit of continuing awareness, support and allyship, here's a snapshot of our bulletin board outside our cafeteria that we walk by every day. Keep all the flags in this picture waving, everybody. Thank you for being allys!

What a quantum journey that was - earlier this month we had Clinical Hypnotheapist, Dr. Ezzat Moghazy, PhD at our latest continued education and networking event “Quantum Medical Hypnosis for Trauma Recovery.” Not only was the subject in the training riveting, but Dr. Moghazy was incredibly engaging. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Dr. Moghazy to incorporate the healing techniques and practices into our curriculum. My Best Healer by Dr. Ezzat Moghazy