Smoking Cessation for Persons with Serious Mental Illness-Presentation Slides

Presentation Slides

Pdf Summary

The document is an initiative by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) aimed at addressing smoking cessation among individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). Funded by a SAMHSA grant, this joint project emphasizes the significant health impact of tobacco use and provides strategies for supporting smoking cessation within this vulnerable population.<br /><br />Key components of the initiative include:<br /><br />1. <strong>Smoking's Health Impacts</strong>: Smoking is highlighted as a major cause of death, causing 540,000 U.S. deaths annually. Specific health risks include various cancers, pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive effects, with second-hand smoke also being highly detrimental.<br /><br />2. <strong>Target Populations</strong>: Those with serious mental illnesses (SMI) and substance use disorders (SUD) exhibit high smoking rates, consume 40% of all cigarettes sold, and die up to 10 years earlier than the general population primarily from smoking-related diseases.<br /><br />3. <strong>Myths and Misconceptions</strong>: The initiative debunks myths that individuals with mental illnesses are not interested in quitting or that quitting worsens mental illness recovery. It stresses that the same proportion of this population wishes to quit as the general population.<br /><br />4. <strong>Health Benefits of Quitting</strong>: The document outlines numerous health benefits from quitting smoking, including reduced risk of numerous cancers, improved lung function, decreased cardiovascular disease risk, and overall better quality of life.<br /><br />5. <strong>Treatment Strategies</strong>: Emphasis is placed on integrating behavioral and pharmacological treatments. Recommended tools include the 5 A’s (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) and the AAR (Ask, Advise, Refer) models. Medications like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline, and bupropion are also discussed.<br /><br />6. <strong>Peer Support</strong>: The initiative notes the power of peer support in smoking cessation efforts, recommending that peer specialists should integrate tobacco cessation into their roles.<br /><br />7. <strong>Challenges and Solutions</strong>: Addressing the under-utilization of tobacco cessation interventions, lack of awareness about quitlines, and the need for consistent physician engagement are highlighted. Physicians are encouraged to actively participate in smoking cessation efforts.<br /><br />8. <strong>Additional Support Resources</strong>: The initiative includes references to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on smoking habits and highlights the critical need for continued support and resource availability during such times.<br /><br />Through a comprehensive approach encompassing education, treatment, and supportive policies, the APA and SAMHSA aim to mitigate the adverse effects of tobacco on individuals with mental health issues.

Keywords

American Psychiatric Association

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

smoking cessation

serious mental illness

health impacts

treatment strategies

peer support

myths and misconceptions

tobacco use

COVID-19 impact