This paper outlines the development of standardized scenarios used to assess the efficacy of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in a randomized, controlled trial. The objective was to create scenarios that accurately simulate mental health crisis situations for law enforcement officers, ensuring that each scenario tests specific CIT skills relevant to real-world encounters. Our process involved building an interdisciplinary team and drawing from the knowledge and experience of professionals in law enforcement, mental health, and performance arts to design a set of scenarios that are both realistic and challenging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To qualitatively evaluate the acceptability and end-user perspectives of a 3-component Fresh Produce and Healthy Eating intervention seeking to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI) in residential settings.
Methods: Twenty-seven interviews were conducted with housing residents with SMI, curriculum instructors, agency leadership, and mobile market staff. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Young adults with early psychosis are at higher risk of violent behavior, but no studies have explored using CBT-based interventions to reduce violence in specialized early intervention services (EIS) settings. This study describes formative research about the acceptability and feasibility of the Psychological Intervention for Complex PTSD and Schizophrenia-Spectrum disorder (PICASSO) to reduce violence, using interviews with EIS participants and staff. Generated themes regarding acceptability included negative experiences of violence and the desire to control and minimize violence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPsychiatr Clin North Am
September 2024
As part of an intervention tailored to individuals with serious mental illnesses in residential settings that aimed to increase dietary intake of fresh vegetables and fruits, we developed and implemented a nutrition and cooking curriculum. To develop the curriculum, we assembled a Workgroup that consisted of professionals from multiple fields. The Workgroup held weekly discussions before drafting what would become the Workbook.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Criminal Sentiments Scale-Modified (CSS-M) has been widely used as a measure of criminal attitudes. This analysis examined CSS-M scores in a large sample of outpatients with serious mental illnesses and a criminal legal system history. We compared total and subscale scores in our sample to scores from two other previously published U.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Despite the public health impact of violence among young adults with psychosis, behavioural interventions to reduce the risk of engaging in violence remain rare. For young adults with early psychosis, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based psychotherapy has efficacy in reducing impairment and improving functioning. However, no CBT-based intervention to reduce violence has been formally adapted for young adults with early psychosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHere we present the first case of sebaceous carcinoma of the middle ear. We discuss the treatment course and post treatment results after 11 years of follow up. We further summarize the available literature of sebaceous carcinoma of the temporal bone, which prior to this case was exclusively limited to the external auditory canal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Early exposure to neighborhood social fragmentation has been shown to be associated with schizophrenia. The impact of social fragmentation and friendships on distressing psychotic-like experiences (PLE) remains unknown. We investigate the relationships between neighborhood social fragmentation, number of friends, and distressing PLE among early adolescents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: This study sought to establish the feasibility of a two-component intervention embedded within a jail setting that would detect detainees with early psychosis and connect them to coordinated specialty care (CSC) in the community upon release.
Methods: The two components of the intervention were a targeted educational campaign for correction officers and a specialized early engagement support service to facilitate jail discharge planning. Jail detainees with early psychosis were referred to the project and assessed for positive and negative symptoms, substance use, and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP).
For individuals living with serious mental illnesses (SMIs), inadequate meal preparation skills can hinder the ability to live independently; yet rating scales tailored for this population are lacking. We describe development, item analysis, and initial reliability and validity of the Staff-Administered Meal Independence Rating Scale (SAMIRS). After item development involving expert consultation, two rounds of pilot testing ( n = 188, n = 293) were conducted in inpatient and residential settings (transitional living residences [TLRs] and community residences [CRs]).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe sought to investigate associations of cumulative social adversities in four areas (low education, unemployment, homelessness, and criminal/legal involvement) with presence of comorbid alcohol and drug use disorders among individuals in treatment for mental illnesses. Using data from 103,416 adults in mental health treatment, generalized estimating equation modified Poisson models were used to estimate increased risk of having comorbid substance use disorders based on individual and/or cumulative number of social adversities present. Controlling for effects of sex, race/ethnicity, and region (New York City vs .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIndividuals with mental illnesses experience disproportionately high rates of social adversities, chronic medical conditions, and early mortality. We analyzed a large, statewide dataset to explore associations between four social adversities and the presence of one or more, and then two or more, chronic medical conditions among individuals in treatment for mental illnesses in New York State. In Poisson regression models adjusting for multiple covariates (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Hypothesis: Although studies have identified social fragmentation as an important risk factor for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, it is unknown whether it may impact social functioning. This study investigates whether social fragmentation during childhood predicts maladaptation to school as well as social functioning during childhood and adulthood.
Study Design: Data were collected from the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study.
J Am Acad Psychiatry Law
September 2023
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to both poor mental health and adverse social outcomes, including arrest and incarceration. Furthermore, individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI) are known to have high rates of childhood adversity and are overrepresented in all facets of the criminal justice system. Few studies have examined the associations between ACEs and arrests among individuals with SMI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStraightforward linguistic measures may be indicators of reduced language production and lexical diversity among individuals with schizophrenia with negative symptoms and neurocognitive impairments. We compared 98 patients with schizophrenia to 101 unaffected controls on six language variables ( e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFood and nutrition security-healthy food being available and households being able to access and use it-is necessary for mental and overall health but is a neglected social determinant of mental health. Mental health professionals should address food and nutrition insecurity by weighing in on federal and state legislation and policies related to food and nutrition; promoting food banks and pantries, "food is medicine" initiatives, and programs offering better opportunities to afford and access whole foods and fresh produce; and addressing food and nutrition insecurity at the individual level in the clinical setting through screening, assessment, treatment, and follow-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe overrepresentation of people with serious mental illnesses in the criminal legal system has spurred the development of crisis response models to improve or reduce police response to a mental health crisis. However, limited research has explored preferences for crisis response, and no research in the United States has examined the responses desired by mental health care clients or their family members. This study aimed to understand the experiences of people with serious mental illnesses interacting with police and to learn about their preferences for crisis response models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: Social determinants of health (SDoHs) impact the development and course of schizophrenia-spectrum psychotic disorders (SSPDs). Yet, we found no published scholarly reviews of psychometric properties and pragmatic utility of SDoH assessments among people with SSPDs. We aim to review those aspects of SDoH assessments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Social determinants of health (SDoHs) are receiving growing attention and are particularly relevant to persons with schizophrenia-spectrum psychotic disorders (SSPDs), considering their heightened risk of comorbidities, cognitive and functional decline, and early mortality. Yet, we did not find any comprehensive review of multiple SDoHs in SSPD.
Study Design: We conducted a scoping review of meta-analyses and systematic reviews of nine major SDoHs in SSPD.
Background: People with mental illnesses are disproportionately entangled in the criminal legal system. Historically, this involvement has resulted from minor offending, often accompanied by misdemeanor charges. In recent years, policymakers have worked to reduce the footprint of the criminal legal system.
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