Description
Sleep disturbances affect up to 70% of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), with insomnia prevalence in incarcerated populations ranging from 26-72% and poor sleep quality reported in up to 88% of individuals in the prison setting. This session addresses the unique challenges of managing sleep disorders in locked state hospitals and correctional facilities, where environmental factors (noise, lighting, security checks) compound psychiatric comorbidities. Participants will examine evidence supporting cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as first-line treatment, including adaptations for inpatient psychiatric settings. The session covers pharmacological considerations specific to SMI populations, including efficacy data for licensed and off-label agents. Practical implementation strategies for creating sleep-promoting environments within security constraints will be discussed, along with treatment algorithms. Special attention is given to the bidirectional relationship between sleep and psychiatric symptoms and how sleep improvement may enhance treatment of psychosis, depression, and suicidality.
Format
Live webinar
Learning Objectives
At the completion of the activity, participants will:
Compare the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety profiles of FDA-approved and off-label medications used for insomnia in patients with serious mental illness, including benzodiazepine receptor agonists, dual orexin receptor antagonists, sedating antidepressants, and melatonergic agents.
Recommend appropriate pharmacological interventions for insomnia in forensic and correctional settings, considering drug interactions, abuse potential, and comorbid psychiatric conditions.
Discuss non-pharmacological interventions, including ways to adapt CBT-I techniques, into comprehensive sleep management recommendations for SMI populations.
Outline
- Neurobiology of Sleep Pharmacological Targets
- Treatments: Focusing on Pharmacological Options
- Non-Pharmacological Treatment: First-Line
Target Audience
Psychiatrist, Resident or Fellow, Medical Student, Physician (Non-Psychiatric), Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Technician, Pharmacist
Instructional Level
Intermediate
Estimated Time to Complete
Estimated Duration: 1 hour
Program Release Date: 05/05/2026
Program End Date: 05/05/2026
Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board
After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through the Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.
How to Earn Credit
After completing the evaluation, participants will have the opportunity to claim their hours of participation and download the appropriate certificate. Physicians may obtain an official CME certificate, other healthcare professionals may receive a CE certificate (as applicable), and all other attendees may generate a certificate of participation. Each certificate will reflect the event date and total hours earned.
Continuing Education Credit
In support of improving patient care, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses/Nurse Practitioners
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) designates this activity for 1.00 Nursing contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Psychiatric Technicians
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) as a provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPTs). Provider Number: 15028
This course is approved for 1.00 of continuing education for LPTs.
Pharmacists
This curriculum has been approved for 1.00 contact hours by the American Psychiatric Association. The American Psychiatric Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. The Universal Activity Number for this program is JA0000145-0000-26-051-L99-P. This learning activity is knowledge based. Your CE credits will be electronically submitted to NABP upon successful completion of the activity. Pharmacists with questions can contact NABP customer service (custserv@nabp.net).
Faculty and Planner Disclosures
The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity - including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others - are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.
Faculty:
- Jessa Marie Koch, PharmD, BCPP, APh, is an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Loma Linda University. Since joining the faculty in 2016, she has integrated her passion for education with clinical practice, focusing on psychiatric and neurological pharmacy. Dr. Koch has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Program Planners:
- John Torous, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Torous has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Kathryn Hanley, APRN, Austin State Hospital. Ms. Hanley has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Megan Ehret, PharmD, BCPP, University of Maryland, Baltimore. Dr. Ehret has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
- Chares Perdue, Psych Tech Planner, California Department of State Hospitals. Mr. Perdue has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities
The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.
Technical Requirements
This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:
The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
Internet Explorer 11+
This Web site requires JavaScript and session cookies to be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Windows Media Player.
Optimal System Configuration:
Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher
Minimum Requirements:
Windows PC:
Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video
For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity |
Contact support@smicaladviser.org for technical assistance