SUPPORT for the Work that Matters

SMI CalAdviser offers free education, tools, and guidance to support clinicians who work at DSH and
its community IST partners

Mission

Our Mission

Our mission is to advance care for people who have serious mental illness (SMI) and are found incompetent to stand trial (IST) in California. Our Work:

  • Supports all the work of mental health clinicians in DSH and across the mental health continuum.
  • Offers specialized knowledge that aligns with DSH standards and best practices in forensic settings.
  • Improves the knowledge and skills of anyone who plays a role in the treatment and support of SMI and IST.
  • Provides guidance across all professions and practice settings. Correctional, hospital, and community.
  • Connects families and caregivers to resources that provide support and answers.
Support

How Does SMI CalAdviser Support Clinicians and Interprofessional Teams?

Education & Tools

It offers easy-to-access, high-quality continuing education, clinical tools, fact sheets, and more. This helps clinicians offer the best possible care and make an impact for people who have SMI.

Clinician-to-Clinician Consults

It lets clinicians ask questions about any topics related to their work. Experts within DSH and beyond provide personalized answers within one business day.

Impact

It strengthens knowledge and skills around complex topics. This helps enhance workplace safety, improve outcomes for patients, and create meaningful impact across the continuum of care.

Learn More About Serious Mental Illness

What is Serious Mental Illness?
Serious Mental Illness (SMI) is defined as someone over the age of 18 who has (or had within the past year) a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that causes...
Learn More
Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, & More
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is often misunderstood and even mistaken for other illnesses. Here’s what you need to know about bipolar disorder.
Learn More
Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, & More
Within the group of mental illnesses, schizophrenia can be one of the most debilitating if a person does not receive treatment. In addition, there are...
Learn More
Major Depressive Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, & More
Major Depression is a common mental illness that can be debilitating without treatment. Here’s what you need to know about major depression.
Learn More
To learn more about serious mental illness, explore the topics above.

About SMI CalAdviser

SMI CalAdviser is a statewide project in California that is funded by the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) and administered by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). It provides education, tools, consultations, and more for staff of DSH and its community IST partners. The APA leads this project and manages an interprofessional team of experts from California and beyond. These experts guide the project, create education, answer consults, develop resources, and more.

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