This presentation will help participants understand how cannabis affects mental health and why people with mental health difficulties use this drug. We will explore options for supporting cannabis users in social service settings.
Cannabis is more available across North America than ever before and there are many misconceptions about the effects of this drug on mental health. Participants will receive an overview of the research examining the relation between cannabis and stress, trauma, common health difficulties, and a variety of mental health concerns.
This overview will lead into material on clinical assessment, education, treatment, and harm reduction strategies with cannabis consumers. Material will cover topics including the effects of cannabis use on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, pain, anger, psychosis, and more. There will be implications for engagement, education, applying evidence-informed therapies for cannabis use disorder, and relapse prevention.
https://nefesh.org/workshops/CannabisanApril1722/viewFREE WEBINAR
Cannabis and Mental Health
Previously Recorded
Presenter: Amar Ghelani PhD, MSW, RSW
Course Length: 3 Hours
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the psychosocial effects of THC and CBD based cannabis.
- Analyze the relationship between cannabis and common health and psychological problems.
- Describe evidence-informed treatment and harm reduction approaches with this group.
This workshop Offers 3 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.
This presentation will help participants understand how cannabis affects mental health and why people with mental health difficulties use this drug. We will explore options for supporting cannabis users in social service settings.
Cannabis is more available across North America than ever before and there are many misconceptions about the effects of this drug on mental health. Participants will receive an overview of the research examining the relation between cannabis and stress, trauma, common health difficulties, and a variety of mental health concerns.
This overview will lead into material on clinical assessment, education, treatment, and harm reduction strategies with cannabis consumers. Material will cover topics including the effects of cannabis use on stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, pain, anger, psychosis, and more. There will be implications for engagement, education, applying evidence-informed therapies for cannabis use disorder, and relapse prevention.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the psychosocial effects of THC and CBD based cannabis.
- Analyze the relationship between cannabis and common health and psychological problems.
- Describe evidence-informed treatment and harm reduction approaches with this group.
Agenda:
Part one - 80 minutes
Introduction: what do you want to learn?
What is cannabis? Indica, Sativa, Hybrids and strain names
THC vs CBD
THC: Effects
Use, abuse, dependence, and disorder
CBD: Effects
CBD: safety profile, potential therapeutic uses
Products available in a legal market
Breakout room discussion: Why do people use cannabis? (7 minutes)
Trauma and Cannabis use: Research review
Cannabis, stress, and anxiety
Cannabis, anger and aggression
Cannabis and sleep disturbance
Cannabis and physical pain management
Cannabis and depression
Cannabis and suicidal ideation
Cannabis and psychosis
Cannabis, diversity and anti-oppressive practice
Break - 20 minutes
Part 2 - 80 minutes
Common reasons for cannabis users accessing mental health services
Barriers to accessing services: denial, discrimination, perceptions of harmlessness, stigma, racism
Importance of engagement
Breakout rooms: What would you want to know about a cannabis user in a mental health setting? What questions would you ask? (7 minutes)
Assessment: clinically validated assessment tools
Assessment: unstructured methods to gather essential information
Education: what people with cannabis related problems need to know
Difficulties in treatment: low rates of abstinence
Treating concurrent trauma, mental health, and cannabis use disorders
Treating cannabis related psychosis – role of medication
Stages of change and Motivational interviewing
Evidence based treatments: CBT, DBT, Contingency Management, Motivational Enhancement
Harm reduction strategies
Relapse prevention
Conclusion
This presentation is open to:
- Social Workers
- Professional Counselors
- Therapists
- Psychologists
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
- Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
- Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
- New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
- Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
- Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
- Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives
Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.
- NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.
- NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
- CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
CE You! maintains responsibility for this program. - NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
- NEFESH International, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0116.