SPECIALIZED MENTAL HEALTH
REHABILITATION FACILITIES
New Opportunities for Mental
Health Treatment
CYNTHIA GERMAIN, MBA, LNHA, CPP
Executive Director of the Continuing Education
Institute of Illinois
Appointment to the Scholar Program
at the
Geriatric Education Center,
St. Louis
University in 2014
Capstone Project – Develop curriculum to provide:
Non-profit providing education and training
opportunities for health and allied health
professionals in Illinois
 60+ specialized live format programs
 100+ collaborative program efforts
 30+ online training catalogs
 Specialized contract training
1) Form and function of regulated professional development
SMHRF Staff
2) Standardize training across facilities
3) Specialized programming for leadership and management skill
development
4) Viable options for delivery
5) Supplemental services to further meet the needs of staff and
consumers of SMRHFs
POTENTIAL FOCUS OF OMBUDSMAN
Know the four levels of care and community services
Advocacy during the discharge process
Counsel to assist in program participation
Guidance when facing difficulty with other residents
Encouragement in communicating with physician
Active listening to support experience with persistent symptoms
Understand the need “to be taken seriously”
OUTLINE OF ADVOCATE TOOLKIT
Major mental illness conditions can significant impede communication through
disorganized speech and behavior
How to overcome concerns of personal safety
Communication is focused on understanding that they experience events and symptoms
Avoid assumptions related to intelligence and beliefs
Set limits, and then set limits again
Be available and offer conversation
Introduce self, explain role
Address as you would like to be addressed
Focus on the person and their current experience
Not too much or too fast
Write down thoughts to outline action plan
Limit gesticulation and monitor body language
Providing space vs. empathetic touch
Be persistent in communicating interest and commitment
ACTIVE LISTENING
Non-Verbal Signs
Verbal Signs
Smile
Positive Reinforcement
Eye Contact
Remembering
Posture
Questioning
Mirroring
Reflection
Distraction
Clarification
Summarization
COMMUNICATION
Blockers
Courtesies
“Why” questions
“Excuse me..”
Quick reassurances
“Pardon me…”
Advising “I think…”
“One moment please…”
Digging for info
“Let’s talk more about that…”
Patronizing
“May I suggest…”
Preaching
Interrupting
CONTINUING EDUCATION INSTITUTE OF ILLINOIS
CYNTHIA GERMAIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
C G E R M A I N @ C O N T I N U I N G E D U C AT I O N PA R T N E R . C O M
773-930-3200