Mental Health Professionals

Smoking and mental illness - breaking the link

Many clinicians see smoking and mental illness as inextricably linked and believe that smoking in the mentally ill is challenging to treat. Such myths have contributed to the devastating consequences of tobacco use in this population. Includes table : Recommended treatments for tobacco dependence and the evidence base for use in smokers with mental illness.

Les aides pharmacologiques à l'arrêt tabagique : analyse des recommandations actuelles pour les fumeurs souffrant de schizophrénie ou de dépression

(Available in French only). Highlights interventions that have proven effective in helping smokers with schizophrenia or depression to quit. Includes recommendations for mental health facilities wishing to provide support to patients with comorbid conditions.

Facilitating knowledge translation in the "real world" of community psychiatry

The authors aimed to introduce evidence-informed smoking cessation interventions to a variety of interdisciplinary mental health care providers by using an innovative approach to knowledge translation.

Community mental healthcare providers' attitudes and practices related to smoking cessation interventions for people living with severe mental illness

Survey responses reveal mental health care providers who felt sympathetic about their role and their clients’ role in cessation, who never or who formerly smoked, who were health care professionals rather than paraprofessional, who were fairly confident, and who had more experience in mental health were more likely to participate in tobacco-related interventions with clients.

Guidelines on the management of co-occurring alcohol and other drug and mental health conditions in alcohol and other drug treatment settings

These guidelines have been developed primarily for alcohol and other drug workers working in treatment settings such as those services providing inpatient or outpatient detoxification, residential rehabilitation, substitution therapies (e.g., methadone or buprenorphine for opiate dependence), or outpatient counselling services.

Duties and opportunities for healthcare providers when mental health facilities ban smoking

Considers the unique challenges and opportunities posed by designing, implementing, and enforcing smokefree policies for psychiatric facilities. Provides a comprehensive literature review and experience in >10 jurisdictions undertaking a smoke-free environment.

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Smoking cessation clinical practice guideline : findings and implications for psychologists

The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research published the Smoking cessation clinical practice guideline in 1996. The authors review the guideline and reiterate the recommendations. The implications of the guideline for the field of psychology are discussed.

Bringing Everyone Along (BEA) resource guide for health professionals providing tobacco cessation services for people with mental illness and substance abuse disorders

This guide was developed to assist health professionals to adapt tobacco cessation services to the unique needs of tobacco users with mental illness and substance use disorders.

Smoking cessation for persons with mental illnesses : a toolkit for mental health providers

Reviews the current literature regarding tobacco use and mental illnesses including biological predispositions and psychological considerations, as well as implications for specific mental disorders. Also provides a review of the stages of change, guidelines for assessing readiness to quit, and treatment recommendations including pharmacotherapy, nicotine replacement and counseling. Strategies for relapse prevention are also provided.

What do persons with mental illnesses need to quit smoking? : mental health consumer and provider perspectives

Explores how to adapt evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions to meet the unique challenges of persons with mental illnesses. Five thematic categories were found: (1) barriers to treatment, (2) resources and infrastructure, (3) negative influences on smoking behaviour, (4) knowledge deficits, and (5) treatment needs.

Treatment of smokers with co-occurring disorders : emphasis on integration in mental health and addiction treatment settings

Reviews the research on the treatment of cigarette smoking in individuals who have comorbid mental illnesses or non-nicotinic addictions. Despite a high prevalence of cigarette smoking in these populations and interest in quitting, treatment interventions and studies of these interventions are sparse. Multiple barriers to implementation of interventions exist. Concludes with a brief discussion of models of integration and thoughts about prevention.

Management of tobacco addiction in patients with mental illness = La prise en charge de la dépendance à la nicotine chez les patients atteints de maladie mentale

Presents longitudinal and vigilant approaches to providing strategies for safe and effective management of tobacco addiction in patients with mental illness. Evidence strongly supports the use of both counseling and medication.

Integrating smoking cessation into mental health care for post-traumatic stress disorder

Randomized, multisite trial investigated smoking prevalence, smoking cessation treatment in psychiatric care settings for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study is unique in providing the largest scale test of the effectiveness of having mental health professionals implement tobacco cessation treatment.

Canada : pharmacy tobacco sales to mentally ill people

Looks at the disproportionately high levels of smoking among Canadians affected by mental illness, as well as the socioeconomic costs of tobacco use for this group. Considers whether a policy prohibiting sales of tobacco in pharmacies would alter smoking behaviour in mentally ill people.

Cost-effectiveness of bupropion, nortriptyline, and psychological intervention in smoking cessation

In this 3 (bupropion versus nortriptyline versus placebo) by 2 (medical management only versus medical management plus psychological intervention) randomized trial, psychological intervention was less expensive than both drug therapies and more cost-effective, but not statistically significant. Nortriptyline was more cost-effective than bupropion; however, the difference was not statistically significant.

A randomized controlled trial of a smoking cessation intervention among people with a psychotic disorder

The use of nicotine replacement therapy in conjunction with motivational interviews and cognitive behaviour therapy was effective for smoking cessation in individuals with a psychotic disorder. Attendance at all treatment sessions increased the odds of sustained cessation. It also decreased daily cigarette consumption by at least 50% in half of the intervention participants.

Smoking as a complex but critical covariate in neurobiological studies of posttraumatic stress disorders : a review

A review of research conducted associating higher rates of smoking among individuals with psychiatric disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder. One aspect of the study examines a possible neurobiological relationship between PTSD and tobacco dependence.

Smoking and patients with mental health problems

This guide is aimed at health professionals in assisting smokers with mental health problems. Also included is a background on smoking and mental health issues, smoke-free policies that can be enacted within facilities, and effective nicotine replacement therapies.