CEU: Access and Navigating Mental Health Services
An overview of the public mental health system in Montgomery County Pennsylvania
Presented in partnership with GMercyU Behavioral Health Institute and Montgomery County Office of Mental Health (1 CE)
In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to learn the basics of navigating support for themselves or a loved one in the public mental health system: who to call and what to expect? Importantly, discussion will also include how to navigate getting stuck, alternative support options when resources aren't available, and ideas of "what to do while you way wait" when faced with the reality of waitlists.
Speakers
Anna Trout, MSW is the Mental Health Crisis & Diversion for the Montgomery County Office of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention. In her role, she oversees contracts for crisis services, collaborates on training for first responders, and is the liaison for emergency departments. In addition to her professional work with the public mental health system, Anna also draws from personal experiences to inform her understanding of how we seek and connect to help. Anna lives in the Upper Perkiomen Valley with her husband, mischievous sons, and even more mischievous dog.
Brittney Anderson is a behavioral health leader with more than a decade of experience in social services and public mental health systems. As the Mental Health Program Director for Montgomery County, she leads strategic initiatives, system improvement efforts, and cross-sector partnerships to enhance services and outcomes for individuals and families. Her expertise includes program development, stakeholder engagement, and systems transformation. Brittney is also a doctoral student at Liberty University studying social psychology, with a focus on applying research-based insights to behavioral health systems.
Erin Seifrit-Townsend, MS, LPC serves as the Deputy Administrator of Children's Mental Health for Montgomery County. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she works closely with providers, schools, hospitals, child-serving systems, and families to improve access to high-quality behavioral health services for children and adolescents. Erin is passionate about building collaborative solutions to complex system challenges and advancing supports that help children and families thrive.
Questions? Contact Katie Starrantino at starrantino.k@gmercyu.edu.
Gwynedd Mercy University’s Social Work Program has been designated as a pre-approved provider of professional continuing education for social workers (Section 47.36), marriage and family therapists (48.36), and professional counselors (49.36) by the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.