COVID-19 - SMI Adviser

Resources on COVID-19 and Serious Mental Illness

SMI Adviser compiled a list of resources for clinicians who serve individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). During this crisis, refer to the evidence-based resources below for specific guidance around COVID-19. If you have specific questions on recent changes in telepsychiatry, prescribing clozapine, or any other topic, you may request a consultation from one of our national experts.

A group of clinicians who treat individuals with serious mental illness pose for a group photo.

Two co-workers console a colleague showing support for his mental health in the workplace.

COVID-19 Resources

Browse trending questions, clinician resources, and patient handouts on COVID-19.

How to Talk About the COVID-19 Vaccines with Individuals Who Have Serious Mental Illness
What should mental health providers know about coronavirus (COVID-19)?
What can I consider with regard to continuing treatment for patients with serious mental illness in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?
Do stay at home orders like those related to COVID-19 increase the risk of domestic violence against people with SMI?
How do living situations for those with serious mental illness affect their physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic?
What would you recommend for ACT consumers in rural areas who don’t have access to the internet and in some cases phones/cell phones? Especially if ACT teams don’t have the funding for iPads, phones, etc. for consumer use?
How can mental health clinicians help those with SMI to adhere to physical distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
What trends in psychiatric symptom increases have been observed by frontline clinicians working with individuals who have SMI during the COVID-19 crisis, and how are they being addressed?
How has the U.S. public sector behavioral health system been changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What will the “new normal” look like for the treatment of SMI?
What are ways of addressing grief or anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic in Populations With Serious Mental Illness
Practice Guidance for COVID-19 (APA)
Caring for Patients’ Mental Well-Being During Coronavirus and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Guide for Clinicians (CSTS)
Care for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 (JAMA Insights: Clinical Update, March 11, 2020)
Psychological Effects of Quarantine During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know (CSTS)
Psychological Effects of Quarantine During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What Public Health Leaders Need to Know (CSTS)
SAMHSA Fact Sheets and Toolkits
Taking Care of Patients During the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Guide for Psychiatrists (CSTS)
Mental Health and Behavioral Guidelines for Preparedness and Response to Coronavirus and other Emerging Infectious Outbreaks (CSTS)
COVID Coach Mobile App (The National Center for PTSD)
Peer-Led Recommendations for Supporting Individuals Receiving Care in State Psychiatric Facilities during the COVID-19 Crisis (NASMHPD)
Double Jeopardy: COVID-19 and Behavioral Health Disparities for Black and Latino Communities in the U.S. (SAMHSA)
WEBINAR: Older Adults & Isolation During COVID-19
COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub
What are the ways in which COVID-19 is associated with mental disorders?
First Episode of Psychosis in Hispanic American Youth Challenges During a Pandemic

What is the latest update from the FDA regarding COVID-19, Clozapine REMS, and blood monitoring?
Is it possible to plan for continuation of clozapine during emergencies (such as coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, rioting) that destroy infrastructure or limit travel, or other issues that prevent a patient from coming to a clinic or laboratory for necessary assessments or blood monitoring?
During an emergency (such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disaster, or other disruption of community services), can patients get clozapine prescriptions filled if they have not had the required blood draw as required by REMS?
What are clinical considerations for giving LAIs during the COVID-19 public health emergency?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, can pharmacies dispense clozapine without an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) blood test result?

I want to offer my SMI patients telemental health visits. What is different now because of COVID-19 in terms of regulation and rules?
How can I prepare for a telehealth appointment or video session?
How do telephone visits (without video) during COVID-19 work in terms of what services can be offered and billed?
What guidance is there regarding CPT codes for group therapy and delivery of services in group homes during COVID-19 “stay at home” orders?
Telepsychiatry Toolkit (APA)
Telepsychiatry and COVID-19 (APA)
50-State Emergency Teletherapy Practice Rules Survey for Counselors, MFTs, Psychologists, and Clinical Social Workers (Person Centered Tech)
Telehealth Tips: Managing Suicidal Clients During the COVID-19 Pandemic (NYSPI)
How can I bill for telehealth services related to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Reopening Your Mental Health Practice: A Checklist to Help You Prepare for In-Person Office Visits
What are some ways we can support employees and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic?
What are some useful strategies for conducting supervision remotely during or after the COVID-19 pandemic?
What are strategies to support resilience and prevent burnout among mental health staff during and after the COVID-19 pandemic?
What are successful communication strategies for managers in community mental health organizations during and after COVID-19?
Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19
Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (APA)
Leaders’ Guide to Risk Communication in the Face of Coronavirus and Other Emerging Public Health Threats (CSTS)
Helping People Manage Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak (VA)
Working Remotely During COVID-19 (APA)
Caring for health care workers during crisis: Creating a resilient organization (AMA)
Managing Fatigue During Times of Crisis: Guidance for Nurses, Managers, and Other Healthcare Workers (CDC)
Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare Personnel during Coronavirus and other Infectious Disease Outbreaks (CSTS)
Helping Staff Manage Stress When Returning to Work: Tips for Supervisors of Disaster Responders (SAMHSA)
Older Clinicians and the Surge in Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (JAMA)
Supporting Clinicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic (ACP)
Understanding and Addressing Sources of Anxiety Among Health Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic (JAMA)
Stress Management During Quarantine for Mental Health Providers Serving Latino Clients
Tools for Behavioral Health Professionals During a Public Health Crisis

Helping Homebound Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak (CSTS)
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (NCTSN)
Taking Care of Your Family During Coronavirus and Other Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks (CSTS)
How to Prepare for a Video Appointment (APA)
COVID-19 Resource And Information Guide in English and Spanish (NAMI)
Wellness Routines For Uncertain Times (MHA)
COVID-19 – How to Support Ourselves and Others Through Times of Fear and Isolation (MHA)
How to Increase Our Resiliency to Isolation and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Crisis (MHA)
WEBINAR: Practicing Self-Compassion

What you need to know
Guidance on prevention and control
Coronavirus Stigma and Resilience
Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

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Make Informed Decisions Related to COVID-19 and Mental Health

Resources on COVID-19 and Serious Mental Illness

Education Activities about COVID-19

COVID-19 Resources

Browse trending questions, clinician resources, and patient handouts on COVID-19.

Treatment Considerations

How to Talk About the COVID-19 Vaccines with Individuals Who Have Serious Mental Illness

What should mental health providers know about coronavirus (COVID-19)?

What can I consider with regard to continuing treatment for patients with serious mental illness in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?

Do stay at home orders like those related to COVID-19 increase the risk of domestic violence against people with SMI?

How do living situations for those with serious mental illness affect their physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic?

What would you recommend for ACT consumers in rural areas who don’t have access to the internet and in some cases phones/cell phones? Especially if ACT teams don’t have the funding for iPads, phones, etc. for consumer use?

How can mental health clinicians help those with SMI to adhere to physical distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

What trends in psychiatric symptom increases have been observed by frontline clinicians working with individuals who have SMI during the COVID-19 crisis, and how are they being addressed?

How has the U.S. public sector behavioral health system been changing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What will the “new normal” look like for the treatment of SMI?

What are ways of addressing grief or anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic in Populations With Serious Mental Illness

Practice Guidance for COVID-19 (APA)

Caring for Patients’ Mental Well-Being During Coronavirus and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases: A Guide for Clinicians (CSTS)

Care for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 (JAMA Insights: Clinical Update, March 11, 2020)

Psychological Effects of Quarantine During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know (CSTS)

Psychological Effects of Quarantine During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What Public Health Leaders Need to Know (CSTS)

SAMHSA Fact Sheets and Toolkits

Taking Care of Patients During the Coronavirus Outbreak: A Guide for Psychiatrists (CSTS)

Mental Health and Behavioral Guidelines for Preparedness and Response to Coronavirus and other Emerging Infectious Outbreaks (CSTS)

COVID Coach Mobile App (The National Center for PTSD)

Peer-Led Recommendations for Supporting Individuals Receiving Care in State Psychiatric Facilities during the COVID-19 Crisis (NASMHPD)

Double Jeopardy: COVID-19 and Behavioral Health Disparities for Black and Latino Communities in the U.S. (SAMHSA)

WEBINAR: Older Adults & Isolation During COVID-19

COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub

What are the ways in which COVID-19 is associated with mental disorders?

First Episode of Psychosis in Hispanic American Youth Challenges During a Pandemic

Use of Clozapine and Long-Acting Injectables

What is the latest update from the FDA regarding COVID-19, Clozapine REMS, and blood monitoring?

During an emergency (such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disaster, or other disruption of community services), can patients get clozapine prescriptions filled if they have not had the required blood draw as required by REMS?

What are clinical considerations for giving LAIs during the COVID-19 public health emergency?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, can pharmacies dispense clozapine without an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) blood test result?

Telemental Health

I want to offer my SMI patients telemental health visits. What is different now because of COVID-19 in terms of regulation and rules?

How can I prepare for a telehealth appointment or video session?

How do telephone visits (without video) during COVID-19 work in terms of what services can be offered and billed?

What guidance is there regarding CPT codes for group therapy and delivery of services in group homes during COVID-19 “stay at home” orders?

Telepsychiatry Toolkit (APA)

Telepsychiatry and COVID-19 (APA)

50-State Emergency Teletherapy Practice Rules Survey for Counselors, MFTs, Psychologists, and Clinical Social Workers (Person Centered Tech)

Telehealth Tips: Managing Suicidal Clients During the COVID-19 Pandemic (NYSPI)

How can I bill for telehealth services related to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Supporting Mental Health Staff

Reopening Your Mental Health Practice: A Checklist to Help You Prepare for In-Person Office Visits

What are some ways we can support employees and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic?

What are some useful strategies for conducting supervision remotely during or after the COVID-19 pandemic?

What are strategies to support resilience and prevent burnout among mental health staff during and after the COVID-19 pandemic?

What are successful communication strategies for managers in community mental health organizations during and after COVID-19?

Training and Technical Assistance Related to COVID-19

Coronavirus and Mental Health: Taking Care of Ourselves During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (APA)

Leaders’ Guide to Risk Communication in the Face of Coronavirus and Other Emerging Public Health Threats (CSTS)

Helping People Manage Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak (VA)

Working Remotely During COVID-19 (APA)

Caring for health care workers during crisis: Creating a resilient organization (AMA)

Managing Fatigue During Times of Crisis: Guidance for Nurses, Managers, and Other Healthcare Workers (CDC)

Sustaining the Well-Being of Healthcare Personnel during Coronavirus and other Infectious Disease Outbreaks (CSTS)

Helping Staff Manage Stress When Returning to Work: Tips for Supervisors of Disaster Responders (SAMHSA)

Older Clinicians and the Surge in Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (JAMA)

Supporting Clinicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic (ACP)

Understanding and Addressing Sources of Anxiety Among Health Care Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic (JAMA)

Stress Management During Quarantine for Mental Health Providers Serving Latino Clients

Tools for Behavioral Health Professionals During a Public Health Crisis

Patient Handouts

Helping Homebound Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak (CSTS)

Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (NCTSN)

Taking Care of Your Family During Coronavirus and Other Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks (CSTS)

How to Prepare for a Video Appointment (APA)

COVID-19 Resource And Information Guide in English and Spanish (NAMI)

Wellness Routines For Uncertain Times (MHA)

COVID-19 – How to Support Ourselves and Others Through Times of Fear and Isolation (MHA)

How to Increase Our Resiliency to Isolation and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Crisis (MHA)

WEBINAR: Practicing Self-Compassion

CDC Information

What you need to know

Guidance on prevention and control

Education Activities
about COVID-19