Corrections_Today_Summer_2024_Vol.86_No.2

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COMMITTEE

What are the three greatest obstacles in assessment and treatment of behavioral health individuals? Dr. Aufderheide states that often definitions of mental illness are not uniform across jurisdictions to properly describe and define this population. Due to the trouble in uniformly describing them, clas sification systems are different in different jurisdictions; this can dra matically impact the levels of service offered. This can affect who is prior ity for treatment resources as well as posing the question of what level of care is needed, what treatment intervention is required, and what measurable outcome data is sought. Dr. Aufderheide also points to the problem of unpredictable levels of expertise and experience in cor rectional mental health in different locations. There seems to be a lack of standardization of training for clinicians treating this population. Finally, Dr. Aufderheide presents the problems connected with inac curate diagnoses resulting from a lack of using valid psychological testing instruments. As a result, it is not uncommon to see changing and multiple diagnoses of the same individual in the health record as well as misguided classification and level of care placement. Correctional systems would benefit, he asserts, by using these reliable assessment instruments for assessing men tal health needs in the same way medical clinicians use labs to assess physical health needs. In community corrections, Makesha West-Pullie talks of the

and expected practices was a major accomplishment. These national standards provide a roadmap for facilities to provide high standards of care while meeting expected practices that can keep individuals in corrections stable and well cared. The second area he felt was a great accomplishment was mental health advocacy as a result of statutory changes and legal precedents that have pushed the quality of cor rectional mental health forward. Policies and procedures for agencies are getting more precise and better represent the needs of treatment for the correctional population. Third, he felt there have been im provements in suicide policies and procedures that have helped those in jails and prisons remain safer and manage crisis more effectively as well as reducing the number of suicides occurring. Dr. Aufderhe ide has also seen more specialized training for mental health officers, which has helped them to be better equipped in how they carry out their jobs while trying to meet the needs of these challenging individu als who often have trauma in their backgrounds as well as serious substance abuse issues. Finally, Dr. Aufderheide has been encouraged by more APA-accredited doctoral level psychologist internships in correctional settings. This helps prepare future psychologists who can lead quality mental health as sessment and treatment in prisons. In community corrections, Thomas Boggs, Clinician, has seen more effective transition from incarcerated individuals leaving prison to community corrections with better symptom management

and goal achievement; this helps prepare the incarcerated individual for successful linkage when they leave Alvis treatment and take over their own treatment responsibili ties. Mekesha West-Pullie, Director and behavioral health supervisor has seen early identification and comprehensive assessment lead ing to meaningful diagnoses and more appropriate medications administered. Dr. Aufderheide, representing prisons and jails, felt that the national standards in mental health, especially regarding ACA’s At Alvis, mental health and substance abuse diagnosis and treatment is integrated where Alvis hires psychiatrists, nurse practitio ners along with trained behavioral health and addiction clinicians to have a one stop shop where assess ment, treatment, and reentry can all be combined into a package. It leads to better reentry outcomes and brings the right parties to the table to serve this difficult population. Formerly incarcerated individu als can be prepared for community placement and transitioned to com munity treatment providers more seamlessly. published performance standards and expected practices was a major accomplishment.

Summer 2024 | Corrections Today

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