/ About / Serious Mental Illness Show
Serious Mental Illness (SMI) is defined as someone over the age of 18 who has (or had within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that causes serious functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. SMI is a small subset of the 300 mental illnesses listed in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). SMI includes disorders such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. All mental health conditions have the potential to produce impairment and interfere with quality of life. Thus, many instances of mental illness may broadly qualify as “serious” according to various uses and interpretations of the term. Definitions of serious mental illness can vary, too. It may depend on whether the term is used for legal, clinical, or epidemiological purposes. How Did the Definition of Serious Mental Illness Evolve?The line between serious mental illness (SMI) and other mental health concerns can at times be confusing. Several national efforts to define SMI came to similar conclusions and arrived at similar estimates of the number of people that SMI affects. In the early 1990s, the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) had to define serious mental illness when it was created.They had to do this in order to distribute mental health block grants that were proportional to the number of cases of SMI in each state. They defined SMI as mental illnesses listed in the DSM that “resulted in functional impairment which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.” To calculate how many adults in each state had SMI, CMHS had to define “functional impairment.” After doing that, CMHS noted that “90% [of those meeting the criteria for serious mental illness] either have a severe disorder like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, or a disorder and work impairment, or a disorder and report being suicidal.” In 2008 data, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) concluded that serious mental illness (SMI) affects 4.4% of the population over 18.2 It defined SMI to include:
Other Efforts to Define Serious Mental IllnessAnother effort to define serious mental illness and calculate the number of people it affects took place in 1993. The Senate Appropriations Committee asked the National Advisory Mental Health Council to report on how much it would cost to provide insurance coverage for people with “severe mental illness” commensurate with the coverage of other illnesses.3 It stipulated that “severe mental illness” is defined through diagnosis, disability, and duration, and includes disorders with psychotic symptoms such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, manic depressive disorder, autism, as well as severe forms of other disorders such as major depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Using that definition, they concluded that 3% of adults have severe mental illness. This estimate is close to what CMHS and NIMH found. The federal definition of serious mental illness is the result of a mandate from the 1992 Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration Reorganization Act.4 This definition was created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It was meant to help states – that were applying for grant funds to support mental health services – estimate the incidence and prevalence of SMI. Federal use of the term “chronic mental illness” ended after consumers and advocates argued that the term had negative connotations. They felt it suggested that some forms of mental illness are intractable. As a result, chronic mental illness was changed to severe and persistent mental illness, and later to serious mental illness. What is Considered a Serious Mental Illness?Serious mental illness (SMI) includes:
Some terms related to SMI are used interchangeably:
It is helpful to be aware of other terms that are often used as part of broader categories of mental health conditions. These often come up around SMI:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) uses the terms “mental health conditions” and “mental illness/es” interchangeably.5 NAMI notes that:
The Data on Serious Mental Illness in the US How many adults in the US experience a Serious Mental Illness?The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health provides data on how many adults experience serious mental illness (SMI) in the United States.6 It is prepared by the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The study sheds light on prevalence across age groups, as well as various demographic and socioeconomic factors around SMI. In 2019, an estimated 13.1 million adults had SMI in the past year, which corresponds to 5.2 percent of adults. Here is a breakdown of SMI in specific age groups:
The same 2019 national survey provides other important data around individuals who have SMI.
What treatments are effective for Serious Mental Illness?Treatment choices for serious mental illness (SMI) and any mental health conditions vary from person to person. Even people with the same diagnosis have different experiences, needs, goals and objectives for treatment. There is no “one size fits all” treatment. Choosing the right mix of treatments and supports is an important step in the recovery process. When individuals are actively involved in designing their own treatment plan – including defining recovery and wellness goals – it can enhance the experience of treatment and improve outcomes. There are many tools and treatments that may be part of a well-rounded recovery plan for SMI.
How can caregivers help individuals who have Serious Mental Illness?Family members and caregivers often play a large role in helping and supporting a loved one who has serious mental illness (SMI). A 2016 study by the National Alliance for Caregiving, in partnership with
Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, estimated that more than 8 million Americans provide care to an adult with an emotional or mental health issue, mainly related to SMI.7 The term caregiver may also extend beyond an individual’s family. This includes friends, teachers, neighbors, coworkers and others in the community. Hence, the term caregiver can refer to anyone who gives emotional, financial, or practical support to a person with SMI. Caregivers can help loved ones who have SMI in many ways. Yet it is often a learning process, as every person with a mental health condition experiences it in a slightly different way. Caregivers may:
The 2016 study also highlights some of the challenges that caregivers may face. Four in 10 caregivers struggled to find an accurate diagnosis for their loved one. Families reported that it took 11.8 years, on average, for their loved one to receive an accurate diagnosis. Caregivers noted several barriers to accessing health care services and long-term services and supports. This includes day programs, peer support, case managers, inpatient treatment centers, and low availability of services in rural areas. At times, caregivers can suffer from physical and/or emotional stress. They often put others’ needs before their own. When taking care of a loved one, caregivers invest a great deal of time and energy. In turn, they may overlook their own physical and emotional needs. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and/or depression. Many clinics provide family psychoeducation, family support groups, and other services to assist caregivers. Do you have questions about Serious Mental Illness?If you are an individual or family member and want more information about serious mental illness (SMI), you can find many resources in our section for individuals and families. You can also use the SMI Adviser Knowledge Base to browse hundreds of evidence-based answers and resources. If you are a mental health clinician and have a question about evidence-based treatments, research, or where to find resources for individuals, submit a question and get a free consultation from SMI Adviser’s national experts. What organization is responsible for the prevention of mental illness?The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
What are the 3 basic forms of treatment for mental disorders?Mental Health Treatments. Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is the therapeutic treatment of mental illness provided by a trained mental health professional. ... . Medication. Medication does not outright cure mental illness. ... . Hospitalization. ... . Support Group. ... . Complementary & Alternative Medicine. ... . Self Help Plan. ... . Peer Support.. What are the 7 principles of mental health care?7 Principles of an Effective Mental Health Assessment. Meet them where they are at. ... . Establish and maintain safety. ... . Start with the end in mind. ... . Be and remain therapeutic. ... . Seek to understand. ... . Be and remain collaborative. ... . Make them a priority. ... . References:. Which consumer group 1st advocated for the improvement of mental health services quizlet?The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) was the first consumer group to advocate for better mental health services. This consumer advocacy group worked to establish education and self-help services for individuals with mental illness and their families.
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