Insights into Serious Mental Illness: A Comprehensive Seminar Series

Continuing education archive

Jan. 18-April 25, 2024
The School of Social Work held a continuing education webinar series, "Insights into Serious Mental Illness: A Comprehensive Seminar Series," to provide valuable knowledge and foster discussions on various aspects of serious mental illness (SMI).

The goal was to bring together experts in the field to share their insights and experiences with the broader community, including social workers, students, alumni and field instructors.

Overview

This comprehensive seminar series consisted of seven informative sessions, each led by speakers who specialize in different areas of SMI. The sessions were designed to address critical topics related to SMI, including its introduction, global perspectives, racial trauma, crisis intervention, children/adolescents, substance use and its intersection with the Virginia legal system.

Registrants were able to review an archive of their sessions for a time-limited period after the series concludes.

Series objectives

Each session had specific learning objectives to ensure that participants gain valuable insights into the respective topic. These objectives varied depending on the session's focus but included a combination of the following:

• Define and understand SMI and its impact on individuals.
• Explore global perspectives on SMI and its implications.
• Examine the intersection of racism, trauma and SMI.
• Identify crisis intervention strategies for individuals with SMI.
• Discuss the challenges and treatment modalities for children/adolescents with SMI.
• Analyze the co-occurrence of substance use and SMI.
• Gain knowledge of the Virginia legal system and its relation to SMI.

Continuing education credits: NASW-Virginia Chapter

Participants in the school's webinar series had the opportunity to earn continuing education (CE) credits from the NASW-Virginia Chapter. (10.5 Category I Continuing Education Contact Hours, including 7.5 Ethics Hours. Approval code: 240118VCU)

The background of presenters reflected competence in ethical training, and the training demonstrated relevance to social work practice. In addition, all attendees received a certificate of completion, if they completed the entire series. 

Note: CEUs were available only for participants who attend the live sessions; asynchronous participants were not eligible. 

Digital badge: Introduction to Serious Mental Illness

Upon completion of three required and two elective sessions from the webinar series, attendees earned a Level 1 Introduction to Serious Mental Illness digital badge. This badge signifies your commitment to enhancing your knowledge and skills in the field of mental health, and it can be proudly displayed on your digital profiles.

Note: The digital badge was available only for participants who attend the live sessions; asynchronous participants are not eligible. 

Session details

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Video archive

"Introduction to Serious Mental Illness"

"Racial Trauma and Serious Mental Illness"

"Crisis Work and Serious Mental Illness"

"Serious Mental Illness and Children/Adolescents"

"Suicidal Ideation and Behavior across the Psychosis Spectrum"