Management of COVID-19 for Persons with Mental Illness in Secure Units: A Rapid International Review to Inform Practice in Québec

ABSTRACT

Most countries have implemented guidelines and policies in response to COVID-19 that have had a direct impact on institutionalized or incarcerated persons with mental health problems. Although these strategies are essential to protect these vulnerable persons from the pandemic, they can also have significant consequences on recovery, well-being, as well as rights and freedoms. Accordingly, we conducted a rapid review to identify strategies, challenges and recommendations for dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak in secure settings for persons with mental illness. While most available publications are not empirical in nature, this knowledge synthesis can nevertheless guide managers of psychiatric and forensic psychiatric institutions, and correctional facilities in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

KEYWORDS:

• Mental illness
• secure unit
• prison
• psychiatric institution
• forensic
• COVID-19
• Pandemic
• Alternatives to incarceration
• Early release mechanisms
• Prison reform

Acknowledgments

This rapid review was produced by the Institut national de psychiatrie légale Philippe-Pinel’s Unité d’évaluation des technologies et modes d’intervention en santé mentale, justice, sécurité (UETMI-SMJS; https://pinel.qc.ca/unite-devaluation-des-technologies-et-modes-dintervention/), in collaboration with the Centre intégré universitaire en santé et services sociaux (CIUSSS) de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal’s Unité d’évaluation des technologies et des modes d’intervention en santé mentale - Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (UETMISM-IUSMM; https://ciusss-estmtl.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/documentation/qualite-des-services). A first iteration of this rapid review, prior to peer review, is available on each institution’s website.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal.

2. Unité d’évaluation des technologies et modes d’intervention en santé mentale, justice et sécurité.

3. Unité d’évaluation des technologies et modes d’intervention en santé mentale.