Training in Illness Self-Management for People with Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

Despite evidence supporting the utility of teaching people with severe mental illness how to manage their psychiatric disorders more effectively in collaboration with others, little is known about the use of such programs in criminal justice settings. This article provides an overview of the background, principles, and empirical basis for teaching illness self-management strategies to persons with severe mental illness, and summarizes several standardized, illness self-management programs developed for this population. Experiences with illness self-management programs in correctional settings are described, as well as consideration of challenges inherent to implementing such programs. Specific recommendations are provided for implementing illness self-management programs across institutional and community correctional environments.

Keywords:

• Corrections
• Criminal justice
• Illness self-management