Rare but Real Risk of Firearms and Treatment of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness: Basic Risk Assessment Principles for Practitioners-Presentation and Q&A

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The video featured Dr. Deborah Pinals discussing the rare but real risk of firearms and the treatment of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Dr. Pinals provided an overview of the topic and highlighted the importance of conducting risk assessments for individuals with SMI. She explained that while firearm-related violence is a rare risk for individuals with mental illness, it is still something that clinicians should be knowledgeable about. Dr. Pinals discussed the data on firearm-related violence and suicide, as well as the factors that contribute to gun violence. She emphasized the importance of conducting relevant suicide and violence risk assessments and provided screening questions for clinicians to ask. Dr. Pinals also discussed risk-based gun removal laws and their role in mitigating risk for individuals at acute risk of harming themselves or others. She discussed the process of petitioning for the removal of firearms and the role that mental health professionals can play in supporting family members or friends who may have concerns about an individual's access to firearms. Finally, Dr. Pinals addressed the issue of restoring firearms rights for individuals whose firearms have been removed and the considerations clinicians should take into account when assessing a patient's request to have their gun restored. Overall, the video provided valuable information for clinicians on the important topic of firearm-related risk for individuals with SMI and the role of risk assessments and gun removal laws in mitigating that risk.

Keywords

Dr. Deborah Pinals

firearms

serious mental illness

SMI

risk assessments

firearm-related violence

suicide

gun violence

screening questions

risk-based gun removal laws