Shared definition of mental illness and serious mental illness

Single definitions of mental illness and serious mental illness (SMI) are adopted and consistently used by local behavioral health systems, jail, courts, and probation and parole agencies for their Stepping Up efforts. This ensures that all systems are using the same measure to identify people who have mental illnesses and SMI.

For more information on this intervention, see this resource:

• A Model Shared Definition of Serious Mental Illness

For a sample related to this intervention, see this resource:

• Definitions and Screening and Assessment Process - Champaign County, IL

Local Examples

Santa Barbara County, CA Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office

• The county participated in an interdisciplinary workgroup to develop a shared, statewide definition of SMI as an option for behavioral health and criminal justice agencies in California.
• The definition is informed by California's Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) ¬ß5600.3(b), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

For a sample related to this example, see this resource:

• Santa Barbara County Definition of Serious Mental Illness

Franklin County, OH Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Office of Justice Policy & Programs

• The county's Stepping Up Initiative team worked to develop a suggested statewide definition of SMI for all Ohio counties' Stepping Up efforts.
• The definition is informed by the Medicaid Health Home Rule's definition.

For more information on this example, see this resource:

• Franklin County Stepping Up Initiative, County Board of Commissioners (Point 1)