Dealing with the Juvenile Mentally Ill in Probation and Law Enforcement
STC Cert #4561-074920

The presence of mental illness in juvenile offenders is climbing at an exponential rate and now tops the numbers of adults in jails and prisons in California and across the U.S. 65% to 70% of youth in contact with the juvenile justice system have a diagnosable mental health disorder; Over 60% of youth with a mental health disorder also have a substance use disorder; and 30% of youth have disorders that are serious enough to require immediate and significant treatment. In addition, youth in the juvenile justice system have higher rates of exposure to traumatic experiences. 75% of youth have experienced traumatic victimization. 93% of youths reported adverse life events such as childhood sexual or physical abuse, accidents, serious illnesses and community violence.

This course trains probation officers and other law enforcement personnel in identification as well as proper response to juveniles in psychotic episodes, manic episodes and depressive episodes as well as self-harming situations. Officers learn about psychiatric medications as well as important aspects of DSM V diagnosis. All prominent mental illnesses seen in juvenile offender populations will be covered.

At the end of the day, participants will be able to:
 
a) Recognize and differentiate between juvenile mental illness signs and symptoms such as psychosis in schizophrenia and mania in bipolar disorder and rageful episodes in intermittent explosive disorder.
 
b) Differentiate between a juvenile who is under the influence of a substance versus an individual who is mentally ill, perhaps in a crisis state.
 
c) Recognize when a juvenile is faking being mentally ill.
 
d) Have an understanding of how traumatic events in the history of a juvenile contribute to mental illness, both in its inception and in the worsening of symptoms (what is commonly called decompensation.)
 
e) Respond to the acute needs of a juvenile offender who is decompensating (or having a mental meltdown.)
 
f) Utilize correct body language, voice skills and listening skills when attempting to de-escalate a mentally ill juvenile.
 
g) Understand the mental health assessment process using the DSM V and other diagnostic tools, in order to better support the offenders on their caseload and to refer them to the most appropriate resources once out of custody.
 
h) Discuss with the family of the juvenile offender (in an informed way), the options for continuing treatment once the offender is released from custody.
 
i) Utilize the medication guide to determine probable diagnosis,  as well as affects and uses (including off-label) of psychiatric medications.
 
j) Utilize the tools in the handout and local resources for further skill-building dealing with mentally ill Juvenile offenders.


What is Dual-Diagnosis Really? 
Cert #4561-043071

This course covers Dual-Diagnosis information for both adolescent and adult offenders

 Over the past few decades, the justice system has seen an exponential increase in offenders with what has been termed a “dual-diagnosis.” Dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of mental health disorders and substance Abuse disorders (alcohol and/or drug dependence or abuse). Dual Diagnosis disorders may include the following: Severe/major mental illness and a substance disorder(s); Substance disorder(s) and a personality disorder(s); Substance disorder(s), personality disorder(s) and substance induced symptoms, i.e., hallucinations, depression, and other symptoms resulting from substance abuse or withdrawal; Substance abuse, mental illness, and medical issues in various combinations. 
Medical issues may be a result of substance abuse, or independent of substance abuse.  Individuals are found across the criminal justice system, the mental health and substance abuse systems that have various combinations of these dual disorders. They are also found outside of these systems of care, often among the homeless.

This Informative course answers these questions:

·          What kind of mental illness is seen in people with a dual diagnosis?

·          Which of these are most likely to end up in the criminal justice system?

·          Which develops first, the substance abuse or the mental illness?

·          What is “self medication?”

·          What does probation personnel need to know to best deal with persons with a dual-diagnosis?

·          How is a person with a dual-diagnosis treated?

Participants will engage in a dynamic day of learning using an integrated training approach including group activities, videos, case studies and up to the minute research.

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