Addressing the Public Health Epidemic of Premature Mortality in People with SMI: Evolving Roles for Mental Health Clinicians-Lecture Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Benjamin Druss discusses the public health epidemic of premature mortality in people with serious mental illness (SMI) and the evolving roles for mental health clinicians. He highlights the need for a public health approach to address this issue and emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health, physical health, and public health. Dr. Druss explains that mental disorders are highly prevalent, often begin in childhood or adolescence, and are disabling, resulting in a significant burden on individuals and society. He also reveals that people with SMI have shorter lifespans due to a higher risk of general medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.<br /><br />Dr. Druss discusses three levels of interventions to improve health outcomes for individuals with SMI. At the individual level, he emphasizes the need to address lifestyle factors such as smoking cessation, improved diet, and increased physical activity. At the system level, he highlights the importance of service integration and care coordination between mental health and medical providers. Finally, at the community level, he discusses the role of policies and patient self-management in improving health outcomes for this vulnerable population.<br /><br />Dr. Druss presents evidence of interventions aimed at improving physical health in people with SMI, including a peer-led medical disease self-management program that demonstrated positive outcomes. He discusses the importance of considering factors such as nature of the problem, existing primary care providers, clinician training, and patient preference when addressing common medical conditions in mental health settings.<br /><br />Dr. Druss concludes by highlighting the roles for mental health clinicians in addressing the public health epidemic of premature mortality in people with SMI. He emphasizes the importance of basic medical literacy, effective coordination between mental health and medical care, and opportunities for clinicians to develop and enhance their primary care skills.

Keywords

premature mortality

serious mental illness

public health approach

integrating mental health

physical health

lifestyle factors

care coordination

peer-led medical disease self-management program