The Roles of Forensic Nursing in Caring for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness-View Presentation Slides

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The document is an overview of a webinar by the American Psychiatric Association on the roles of forensic nursing in caring for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). It highlights the prevalence of individuals with SMI in the criminal justice system, emphasizing the need for forensic nursing in treatment and care contexts. The webinar provides continuing education credits for participants, with downloadable slides and a Q&A session included.<br /><br />Key faculty members involved in the presentation include Debra Pinals, MD, Jenny Black, BSN, RN, SANE-A, and Donna Rolin, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC, all of whom have disclosed no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter.<br /><br />Learning objectives focus on the prevalence of SMI in criminal settings, the roles of nursing, and the application of forensic nursing principles. The document discusses how symptoms of mental illness may not be the primary driver of criminal behavior, highlighting the importance of holistic treatment approaches.<br /><br />Forensic care settings include jails, prisons, state hospitals, and community mental health facilities. The challenges within these environments due to the interplay of mental illness, co-occurring disorders, trauma histories, and social determinants are noted, as well as disparities based on race, and socioeconomic factors.<br /><br />Additionally, the document touches on forensic nursing's vital roles in supporting individuals who are victims or survivors of crime, such as sexual assault and intimate partner violence. It emphasizes the importance of forensic assertive community treatment (FACT), which seeks to prevent incarceration through the support of a multidisciplinary team with a criminal justice component.<br /><br />Furthermore, the use of psychotropic medication, court involvement, forensic healthcare roles, and the critical roles of forensic nurses in interdisciplinary teams are explored. Challenges in forensic nursing, such as secondary trauma exposure, patient advocacy, and resource scarcity, are also addressed.<br /><br />Lastly, the document provides details on accessing resources, claiming continuing education credits, and highlights upcoming webinars, including one focusing on psychotropic medications during pregnancy.

Keywords

forensic nursing

serious mental illness

criminal justice system

continuing education

holistic treatment

forensic assertive community treatment

interdisciplinary teams

secondary trauma

psychotropic medication

mental health disparities