United States Department of Veterans Affairs
MIRECC Centers

South Central MIRECC

Uniform Mental Health Services Handbook Education Initiative

Developed and Funded by the: Department of Veterans Affairs, South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (SC MIRECC), and the VISN 16 Mental Health Product Line.

Note: Educational videos linked from this page are available only to individuals using the VA Intranet. General Internet connections will not reach these videos.

The Uniform Mental Health Services Handbook (UMHSH) Education Initiative is dedicated to informing mental health providers practicing in VISN 16 about the VA’s Uniform Mental Health Services Handbook.

The Initiative provides an education tool that highlights the major sections of the UMHS Handbook in 9 brief (10-20 minute) video modules. The modules provide details about requirements and recommendations for mental health services in the VHA system, and tie key aspects of the Handbook to requirements corresponding to facility size. The modules also present additional education opportunities about evidence-based treatments and other helpful resources available through the SC MIRECC or the VHA.

The video modules are designed to be viewed in order, but we understand that some providers might want to view particular modules before others. We hope you will view all the video modules, as there are important elements in each one about which all mental health providers should be aware.

To view a module or access the additional resources associated with a module, click on the relevant link below. The video link will open up a WMV file (Windows Media Video file) and begin playing on your screen using Windows Media Player.

If you have any trouble with viewing the modules or with accessing the additional information and resources, please contact Michael Kauth, SC MIRECC Director of Education: Michael.Kauth@va.gov.

Modules
(1) History and Purpose of the Handbook Video (13:54)

Additional Information and Resources 
(2) Foundations of Care Video (12:43)

Additional Information and Resources 
(3) Integrating Primary Care and Mental Health Video (10:33)

Additional Information and Resources 
(4) Substance Use Disorder Services  Video (15:58)

Additional Information and Resources 
(5) PTSD and other Anxiety Disorders  Video (12:52)

Additional Information and Resources 
(6) Serious Mental Illness Video (13:34)

Additional Information and Resources 
(7) Homeless and Incarcerated Veterans Video (12:24)

Additional Information and Resources 
(8) Suicide Prevention  Video (13:30)

Additional Information and Resources 
(9) Mental Health Care Delivery Video (15:48)

Additional Information and Resources 

 

Recommendations for Use with Staff:

  • If possible, view the modules in order.  Though they are designed to be viewed independently of one another, earlier modules have some foundational ideas that can be useful in reviewing and discussing subsequent modules. 
  • Be prepared for the modules to trigger staff questions and concerns about implementation of the UMHS Handbook’s directives. 
  • View the modules as a team for provoking the most uptake and meaningful discussion.  Each module is short enough to view and discuss in a regular staff meeting.  As opposed to staff viewing the modules individually and later having a discussion, viewing the modules as a team is more likely to: 
    • enhance the team members’ focus on the UMHS Handbook priorities.
    • facilitate application of the module information to the staff member’s or team’s particular work setting.
    • help staff crystallize the relevance of the information to their specific CBOC or VAMC.
    • offer leadership an opportunity to focus the team’s attention to specific details and content.
    • create an opportunity for solution-focused dialogue between CBOCs and VAMCs.