Addressing the Public Health Epidemic of Premature Mortality in People with SMI: Evolving Roles for Mental Health Clinicians-View Presentation Slides

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The document is a presentation outline from the American Psychiatric Association focusing on addressing the public health epidemic of premature mortality in people with serious mental illness (SMI). Dr. Benjamin Druss from Emory University led the webinar, which emphasized the evolving roles of mental health clinicians.<br /><br />The session provided continuing medical education credits for physicians and included downloadable presentation slides. There was a segment dedicated to understanding public mental health, involving integrating mental health into broader public health initiatives and using public health approaches to enhance outcomes for populations with mental illnesses.<br /><br />The presentation highlighted the early mortality epidemic among individuals with SMI, referencing data indicating significant life-years lost and annual deaths associated with mental disorders. It contrasted clinical and public health perspectives on early mortality. The discussion included a framework for addressing this epidemic through individual, community, and system-level interventions, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle, medical treatments, and service integration.<br /><br />Specific interventions were mentioned, such as lifestyle changes and effective medical treatments tailored for SMI patients, and leveraging system-level tools to optimize care delivery. Research on such interventions indicated potential improvements in the quality of care and mental health recovery outcomes.<br /><br />Community interventions were also discussed, focusing on self-management and addressing social determinants of health. The Health and Recovery Peer (HARP) Program was introduced as a successful peer-led, self-management initiative showing improvements in physical health status.<br /><br />The document advised mental health clinicians to be well-versed in basic medical diagnoses and coordinate care with medical providers. Lastly, options for attendees to submit questions and upcoming webinars were outlined, alongside instructions on claiming continuing education credits.

Keywords

premature mortality

serious mental illness

public health

mental health clinicians

interventions

lifestyle changes

HARP Program

self-management

social determinants

continuing education