On the Calendar: Observances in July
Every month, the calendar fills with moments worth pausing for.
But here in July, for those of us working in physical and behavioral health, clinicians, therapists, counselors, and care providers of every kind, two observances this month carry particular weight: Disability Pride Month and National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
At Impact CE, we believe that continuing education is one of the most powerful tools a practitioner can reach for, not only to maintain licensure, but to deepen the quality of care they bring to every client, every session, every day.
This July, we are proud to spotlight courses that speak directly to both of these awareness moments, offering our community meaningful opportunities to grow right alongside the conversations happening in the broader world.
Disability Pride Month
Disability Pride Month is observed each July, marking the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA was a landmark moment in the fight for disability rights, a legal recognition that people with disabilities deserve full access to public life, equal opportunity, and freedom from discrimination. Disability Pride Month honors that legacy while celebrating the rich diversity of the disability community and affirming that disability is a natural and valued part of human experience.
For physical and behavioral health professionals, Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to examine how care systems (and individual clinical practices) can better serve people with disabilities. It is a time to reflect on accessibility, ableism, and what it means to provide truly inclusive, person-centered care. Clients with disabilities bring unique strengths, identities, and lived experiences to the therapeutic relationship. Meeting them with knowledge, humility, and genuine respect isn't not just good clinical practice, but a commitment to equity in care.
104625 What Clinicians Should Know: Understanding Girls and Women With Autism in a World Where They Are Commonly Overlooked and Misdiagnosed
Throughout the United States and abroad, boys are more commonly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many girls and even females in adulthood are overlooked as having ASD. While the manifestation and exhibited characteristics associated with ASD in females often appears different than for males, females with autism are often misdiagnosed and overlooked altogether-- requiring them to navigate a world...
103358 Advance Care Planning for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities IDD: Where Do We Go From Here?
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are often forgotten when it comes to conversation, planning, and services in adulthood. COVID-19 provided a wakeup call for professionals, family caregivers, and broader caregiving networks to support individuals with IDD in planning for life for when their health changes and for their final days. This 3-hour training will provide a framework for...
104620 The Invisible Struggle: Supporting Youth With Chronic Pain and Mental Health Needs
Youth living with chronic pain often face invisible and deeply misunderstood challenges that affect not only their physical well-being, but also their emotional health, identity, relationships, and daily functioning. Professionals are increasingly called upon to support young people navigating the complex intersection of chronic pain, mental health concerns, school and social challenges, family stress, and systems that may minimize or...
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, observed each July, was established by the United States House of Representatives in 2008 in honor of author and mental health advocate Bebe Moore Campbell, who spent much of her life working to bring mental health conversations into communities of color. The month is dedicated to raising awareness of the unique mental health challenges faced by racial and ethnic minority communities and to dismantling the stigma, barriers, and systemic inequities that continue to stand between those communities and the care they deserve.
For behavioral health professionals, this month is a call to look honestly at who is being served and who is not. Racial and ethnic minority communities continue to face disproportionate barriers to mental health care, from cultural stigma and lack of culturally competent providers to systemic inequities in access and representation. Deepening cultural humility, expanding awareness of minority stress, and committing to antiracist, equity-centered practice are not optional additions to good clinical work. They are at the heart of it.
103665 Psychological Well-being and Cognitive Aging in Black, Native American, and White Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Participants
This study explores the relationship between psychological well-being and cognitive aging across diverse racial groups, including Black, Native American, and White participants from the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Using race-stratified regression models, the study assessed how specific aspects of psychological well-being (e.g., life satisfaction, positive affect, and sense of purpose) are associated with cognitive performance in executive functioning and...
103248 Psychiatric Disorders Among Older Black Americans
Psychiatric disorders impose significant personal, social, and financial costs for individuals, families, and the nation. Despite a large amount of research and several journals focused on psychiatric conditions, there is a paucity of research on psychiatric disorders among Black Americans (i.e., African Americans and Black Caribbeans), particularly older Black Americans. The present literature review examines research on psychiatric disorders among...
103793 Unpacking the Root Causes of Gambling in the Asian Community
This course explores the root causes of gambling in Asian communities through a public health lens. Drawing from a recent article in Frontiers in Public Health, it examines cultural values, systemic factors, and the impact of stigma and underreporting in addressing problem gambling. The session emphasizes the importance of disaggregated data, culturally responsive prevention, and community engagement strategies. Participants will...
104585 Traumatic Brain Injury Among American Indians/Alaska Natives In The United States
This continuing education course examines the results of a systematic review of the literature on traumatic brain injury (TBI) among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations in the United States, with particular attention to Alaska-specific communities. The content of this course addresses the definition, consequences, and population data regarding TBI, including emergency department visits, hospitalizations, mortality, leading mechanisms of...
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