Supporting Persons with SMI in the Community After Release From a Correctional Setting-Presentation and Q&A

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Amy Cohen, a clinical psychologist and director for SMI Advisor, welcomes viewers to a SMI Advisor webinar focused on supporting individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) after release from a correctional setting. SMI Advisor is an initiative focused on helping clinicians implement evidence-based care for those with SMI. The webinar offers participants the opportunity to earn continuing education credits for their respective professions. Dr. Cohen introduces Dr. Deborah Pinals, the webinar's presenter, who is the Medical Director of Behavioral Health and Forensic Programs for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Pinals discusses the challenges faced by individuals with SMI after release from incarceration and the negative outcomes often associated with reentry into the community. She explains models of support, such as critical time intervention, forensic assertive community treatment, and mission criminal justice, which aim to reduce negative outcomes and improve outcomes for individuals with SMI. Dr. Pinals discusses the importance of engagement, assessing and addressing criminogenic risks, and providing supports and services tailored to individual needs. She emphasizes the need for collaboration between mental health treatment providers and criminal justice professionals, as well as the importance of trauma-informed care. Dr. Pinals also addresses questions from participants and highlights the need for advocacy to improve housing availability and employment opportunities for individuals with criminal justice involvement. The webinar concludes by emphasizing the importance of person-centered care, building supportive relationships, ensuring continuity of care, and supporting individuals' recovery goals.

Keywords

SMI Advisor

serious mental illness

correctional setting

webinar

reentry

support models

criminogenic risks

trauma-informed care

advocacy

person-centered care