Pacific Northwest Social Scientists (PNWSS) is brand new to the region and is an extension of Montana Social Scientists, LLC (MSS) launched in 2018 by the owner, Vanessa McNeill. PNWSS provides Continuing Education (CEUs) to licensees through state Boards of Behavioral Health (LCPCs, LACs, LCSWs, LCMFs), Boards of Psychology, Office of Public Instruction (OPI) for teachers, and Boards of Nursing, including emergency responders. Since Covid-19, most states in the U.S. now accept our Certificates for our virtual workshops.
Suicide Prevention Workshops
PNWSS partners with a number of organizations, professionals, and University departments to raise mental health awareness and promote suicide prevention.
PNWSS offers group rates to provide virtual group workshops, including CEU Certificates for all participants.
PNWSS customizes classes and workshops to meet your organization’s needs!
PNWSS contracts with Subject Matter Experts from a variety of disciplines to deliver presentations and education on the latest research, updated mental health protocols, as well as unique offerings regarding suicide prevention. Most states now have a minimum requirement (2 – 4 CEUs per year, depending on your state’s Board) of CEUs on suicide prevention for mental health providers.
Below is a sampling of PNWSS prior workshops:
- Partnered with Reason to Live Native Let’s Talk, Montana—Latest Research in Suicide Prevention, 3-day Conference, Flathead Lake, May 9-11, 2019
- Suicide Research Trends & Assessment
- Health Data Analyst with Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council Epidemiology Center
- New suicide assessment and treatment planning model
- Vision 21: Linking Systems of Care (LSOC) for Children and Youth in Montana
- Building Confidence in our Youth: Understanding the ultimate sacrifices and pain that our ancestors suffered
- Let’s Talk, Montana—Latest Research in Suicide Prevention, Billings, Montana, November 7th & 8th, 2019
- QPR Train-the-Trainer Certification
- Internet-based Therapy for Rural Communities
MSU Bozeman, CMHRR - Psychological Wellbeing & the Pursuit of Happiness
by John Sommers-Flanagan, Ph.D. - Advances in Suicide Assessment & Treatment Planning
by John Sommers-Flanagan, Ph.D. - Trauma-Informed Mindfulness
How it all started…
Montana Social Scientists leveraged the research previously done in collaboration with Dr. Keller and Global Health Equity Foundation (GHEF), using Let’s Talk as the vehicle. Let’s Talk suicide prevention program, developed by GHEF, an international non-profit organization dedicated to making tangible improvements to health equity. Dr. Sarah N. Keller, Communications Professor at Montana State University Billings, played a pivotal role in developing the Let’s Talk program funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) Idea Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). Vanessa McNeill became Dr. Keller’s research assistant and participated in every aspect of the research project.
Publications
Gender Moderated and RSA Mediated effects of Prenatal Cocaine Exposure on Behavior Problems at age 7
The Perceived Stigma Reduction Expressed by Young Adults in Response to Suicide Prevention Videos
A Look at Culture and Stigma of Suicide: Textual Analysis of Community Theatre Performances
A Theater Intervention to Promote Communication and Disclosure of Suicidal Ideation
Preventing Suicide in Montana: A Community-Based Theatre Intervention
