Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
June 2, 2006, Vol. 06-64

SAMHSA Releases Training Guide to Reduce Seclusion and Restraint Use

A new training curriculum, released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), provides mental health providers with the latest information on prevention strategies and alternative approaches to avoid and reduce the use of seclusion and restraint.

The training curriculum, A Roadmap to Seclusion and Restraint Free Mental Health Services for Persons of All Ages, is organized in seven modules and emphasizes the importance of creating cultural change within organizations to impact seclusion and restraint reduction. Specifically, the document outlines best practices in the use of trauma-informed care and other aspects to support resiliency and recovery of people with mental illnesses while avoiding seclusion and restraint practices that can harm rather than help.

Curriculum modules discuses specific strategies including self-care approaches, peer-provided services, arts programs, comfort rooms, and other approaches designed to enhance service environments and consumer participation as means to avoid the use of restraint and seclusion.

In addition, a range of other approaches are described including advance directives, mediation, service animals, and communication approaches. Each represents a potential tool for providers to ensure consumer safety. Techniques for sustaining reduction efforts via consumer and staff involvement as well as a listing of resources are included.

The curriculum employs a unique consumer-driven approach that was successfully pilot-tested prior to publication. It is offered in CD-Rom format, provides complete lesson plans and handouts for each training module and is available at SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center at http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma06-4055/
or 1-800-789-2647.
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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.