About SMI TTAC
SMI TTAC offers comprehensive training and technical assistance (TTA) and resources that center on evidence-based and emerging practices for professionals, community members, family members and people experiencing SMI. It equips people with cutting-edge knowledge and strategies and empowers those involved in mental health treatment and recovery to improve the identification, assessment and treatment of people with SMI, supporting their recovery journey.
SAMHSA defines SMI as a mental illness that interferes with a person’s life and ability to function. There are many kinds of SMI—common ones include bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. You can learn more about the different types of SMI, support and treatment for SMI, and individuals’ stories of navigating SMI by visiting Managing Life with Serious Mental Illness .
The initial period of onset of SMI can be referred to as early serious mental illness (ESMI). ESMI also encompasses first episode psychosis (FEP) — the first time someone experiences an episode of psychosis. Individuals, families and clinicians can learn more about ESMI by visiting the National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI TTA Center). State mental health authorities and programs funded by the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant 10% set-aside for ESMI and Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis grantees can request technical assistance directly from the ESMI TTA Center. Anyone who does not fall under these specifications can request technical assistance.
The mission of SMI TTAC is to:
- Provide training and consultation to states, territories, providers, direct care staff, communities, family members, people experiencing SMI and other stakeholders to support the implementation of SMI services and expand access to care.
- Provide personalized intensive technical assistance (PITA) services to those who directly oversee or provide mental health services and supports for people with SMI or FEP, equipping these clinicians with cutting-edge knowledge and strategies.
- Identify and develop resources to address the diverse needs of stakeholders, including states, territories, providers, direct care staff, communities, family members and people experiencing SMI.
- Disseminate and support the adoption of evidence-based, evidence-informed and promising practices to advance the quality of SMI-related services.
SMI TTAC is funded by SAMHSA and operated by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in partnership with American Psychiatric Association, C4 Innovations, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, and Bizzell US.
Through collaboration and commitment to excellence, SMI TTAC enhances the capacity of mental health providers and organizations to deliver impactful, recovery-oriented care for people living with SMI and FEP by providing trainings and consultations to states, territories, providers, direct care staff, communities, family members and friends, people experiencing SMI/FEP and other stakeholders to support the effective implementation of services and expand access to quality care.
How is SMI TTAC similar to and different from SMI Adviser?
Many in the field of SMI may remember SMI Adviser–a SAMHSA initiative operated by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to offer providers researched, vetted, and verified guidance on SMI. SMI Adviser sunsetted in July 2024.
SMI TTAC builds on the work of SMI Adviser to continue to offer evidence-based resources and guidance to providers and clinicians in the field of SMI. Additionally, SMI TTAC expands on the work of SMI Adviser by offering support and resources to anyone involved in the care and treatment of people with SMI, including caregivers, organizations and people experiencing SMI themselves.
Like SMI Adviser, SMI TTAC will include a website, resources, live and recorded webinars and clinician-to-clinician consultations. We are also working to transition over select materials from SMI Adviser to SMI TTAC so that these can be made available to providers once again. Please note that at this time SMI TTAC will not be providing a mobile app or medication interaction checking tool.
For More Information
SMI TTAC Contact: smi-ttac@thenationalcouncil.org
SAMHSA Contact: asha.stanly@samhsa.hhs.gov