The Roles of Forensic Social Work in Caring for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness-View Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Hello and welcome to today's SMI Advisor webinar, "The Roles of Forensic Social Work in Caring for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness." This webinar features Dr. Deborah Pinals, Director of the Program in Psychiatry, Law, and Ethics at the University of Michigan Medical School, Tess Parker, a clinical therapist and former director at a large behavioral health provider, and Kelly Schafer, Director of Social Work at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry. The webinar focuses on the field of forensic social work, which involves the application of social work to questions and issues relating to law and legal systems. The presenters discuss the various functions of forensic social workers, including providing consultation, education, and training to legal entities, conducting assessments and evaluations, and playing a critical role in discharge planning. They also address the history of forensic social work and the importance of multidisciplinary approaches in working with individuals with serious mental illness in the criminal legal system. The presenters highlight the use of risk assessment tools such as the HCR-20 and discuss the challenges and opportunities in forensic social work across different settings, such as forensic hospitals and correctional facilities. They emphasize the importance of trauma-informed care and family involvement in the treatment process. The webinar provides valuable insights and recommendations for forensic social workers new to the field and discusses strategies for addressing racial health disparities among individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Overall, the webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the roles of forensic social work in caring for individuals with serious mental illness and highlights the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches in delivering quality care.

Keywords

Forensic Social Work

Serious Mental Illness

Consultation

Assessments

Discharge Planning

Multidisciplinary Approaches

Risk Assessment

Trauma-Informed Care

Family Involvement

Racial Health Disparities