Refocus and Renew: Moving Toward Health for Adults with SMI and Youth with SED

Course overview

Course Description: This course provides an overview of serious mental illness (SMI) and serious emotional disturbances (SED) in the United States, including the scope of the problem, the life expectancy gap, the importance of whole-person health, and strategies for improving treatment access and quality. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate, and advanced-level practitioners who wish to learn more about SMI, SED, and behavioral health systems reform. It is also a good resource for licensed therapists who need continuing education in ethics for license renewal. Authors: Pinals, Hancq Learning Objectives: This course will provide a professional with detailed information about serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbances, and whole-person health approaches. Specifically, the practitioner will: Identify the prevalence of SMI and SED in the United States and describe the significant treatment gaps, mortality disparities, and public system involvement associated with these conditions. Explain the concept of whole-person health, including the WHO definition of health, evolving definitions of mental health, the eight dimensions of wellness, and how these frameworks apply to individuals with SMI and SED. Describe evidence-based strategies for improving treatment access, quality, and retention for individuals with SMI and SED, including early intervention models, screening tools, and coordinated specialty care. Citation: Pinals, D. A., & Hancq, E. S. (2026). Refocus and renew: Moving toward health for adults with serious mental illness and youth with serious emotional disturbances. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (SAMHSA Publication No. PEP26-01-006).