EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE

Course overview

Evidence-based practices are increasingly viewed as the means for providing the best available mental health care. Mental health services that are based on the best scientific evidence available improve the quality of life for people diagnosed with severe mental illness. This advanced level course examines the fundamental principles of evidence-based mental health and the challenges of implementing an evidence-based practice. Clinical decision-making based on evidence enhances mental health practice by providing established treatment protocols to consumers with severe mental illness. An in-depth examination of six evidence-based practices for adults with severe mental illness and instructs the practitioner in implementing these treatments is provided. Course Objectives: * Define severe mental illness (SMI), identify the challenges faced by individuals with SMI, and outline the development of community-based mental health services. * Discuss the principles of evidence-based mental health practice, and the barriers that impede its widespread implementation. * Formulate a plan to include research methods, proven interventions, and evaluation criteria in starting an evidence-based practice. * Summarize the components of the following six evidence-based practices for persons with severe mental illness: assertive community treatment, integrated dual-disorder treatment, supported employment, illness management and recovery, family psychoeducation, and medication management. * Explain how evidence-based practices will change the future of mental health care.