Tobacco Use and Treatment for Smokers with Mental Health Diagnoses discusses smoking cessation for individuals with mental health diagnoses and offers practical guidance for healthcare providers. One in five adults has some form of mental illness, and the rate of smoking among people diagnosed with schizophrenia is two to three times that of the general population. This series aims to educate and equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and tools necessary to better support individuals with mental health diagnoses in quitting smoking. 

The series is composed of a fact sheet, infographic, and webinar:  

Fact Sheets 

Smoking Cessation for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness Infographic: This fact sheet provides statistical information on smoking and smoking cessation for individuals diagnosed with a serious mental illness. It highlights the unique challenges faced by this demographic and offers practical suggestions for providing smoking cessation treatment. Effective interventions include supportive treatment, practical counseling, and preparing a day to quit. The infographic is a valuable resource for care and service providers, raising awareness of the issue and offering guidance on tailored treatment options. 

Infographic 

Smoking Cessation for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Infographic: This infographic provides statistical information on smoking cessation for healthcare providers serving people experiencing homelessness. It highlights the high prevalence of tobacco use among this population and its link to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The resource suggests strategies for creating a supportive environment for smoking cessation, emphasizing the importance of setting an example and developing agency policies. 

Webinar 

Tobacco Use and Treatment for Smokers with Mental Health Diagnoses: This webinar is a valuable resource for healthcare providers, especially those specializing in smoking cessation or treating people with behavioral health issues. The presenter, Dr. Marc Steinberg, references a study he conducted in 2004 with individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who needed smoking cessation treatment but had no desire to quit. The study found that psychoeducational or motivational interventions significantly increased the likelihood of seeking treatment for tobacco dependence. Dr. Steinberg recommends motivational interventions and practical counseling that recognize high-risk situations to help individuals with behavioral health issues quit smoking. 

Citation 

Program to Achieve Wellness. (2016). Tobacco use and treatment for smokers with mental health diagnoses. https://www.prainc.com/resource-library/ 

This resource was first shared in 2016. 

(HTML, Youtube)