Free ethics webinar for Idaho mental health clinicians Oct. 31

Idaho State University’s Institute of Rural Health is sponsoring a free ethics webinar for Idaho mental health clinicians Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to noon MT and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. PST.

“Research, Ethics and Informed Consent” will feature expert clinicians with the Human Subjects Protection Unit of the National Institute of Mental Health. Speakers will provide an overview of informed consent, historical aspects, current events and today's understanding of informed consent.  The ethical standard of assessing a client's capacity to provide informed consent will be addressed and video footage related to research participation will be presented, said Ann Kirkwood, senior research associate with the Institute of Rural Health.

The NIMH recruits people with mental illnesses from across the Nation for a wide range of research projects. The role of mental health clinicians in making referrals to research is an important part of the NIMH Outreach Partnership Program, and the webinar is the first to address this topic, according to Kirkwood.

If successful, the webinar will be offered to clinicians nationwide. After the event, participants will be asked to complete an online survey to help NIMH decide whether to offer the program to a national audience.

Free continuing education units are available for social workers, counselors, psychologists and marriage and family therapists.  Free credits also will be offered through the Peace Officers Standards and Training Academy for clinicians working in justice or law enforcement fields. Others can receive certificates of completion to submit to their licensing boards. Non-clinicians interested in research and ethics topics are also invited to participate.