The Way Forward: Federal Action for a System That Works for All People Living With SMI and SED and Their Families and Caregivers – Full Report

The Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) identified five major areas of focus for fulfilling the Committee’s vision. The five areas will guide the Committee’s work. We know that important treatment advances are on the horizon. Research is identifying new and powerful ways to improve the ability to diagnose and identify risk factors for the course of mental illnesses. Sensitive to emerging science, the ISMICC members plan to revisit this report, its charge, and the areas of focus periodically in the coming years.

This 2017 ISMICC Report to Congress includes information presented in the first ISMICC meeting in August 2017 and from ongoing dialogue with the ISMICC members. This report will set the stage for work by the ISMICC in the years ahead. This report shines the spotlight on the critical issues and services for Americans with serious mental illnesses (SMI) and serious emotional disturbances (SED), and the importance of concerted efforts by the federal government to address their needs. The report presents the current status of federal activities and a summary of advances in the care and treatment of people with SMI and SED. The report describes key advances in research and strategies to improve services to these individuals based on presentations given by the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) members at the first ISMICC meeting.