Learn why mental health and substance use challenges often occur together and how trauma, chronic stress, work environments, family habits, and life circumstances affect a person’s risk and recovery. This course emphasizes the underlying causes behind these issues and explains how relationships, the body, and daily environments all play a role. Part 1 in a 3-part series.

Meet the Instructor: Amber Rand is a licensed mental health counselor and seasoned behavioral health leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing trauma informed, recovery-oriented care across Iowa and beyond. As an Instructor for Mindspring Mental Health Alliance, she brings deep expertise in community and workplace mental health education, creating interactive, evidence-based learning experiences that promote understanding, empathy, and resilience.

Amber holds a Master of Arts in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Northern Iowa. She has held executive and clinical leadership roles in both adolescent and adult behavioral health programs, and is also a Certified International Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (IAADC). Amber is passionate about empowering individuals and teams to foster environments of psychological safety, collaboration, and well-being.