Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is SMI (Serious Mental Illness)?
   Adults with serious mental illness are persons aged 18 or older who currently have, or at any time during the past year have had a diagnosable mental, behavioral or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified within the DSM-IV-TR. In order to be considered SMI, the diagnosable disorder must result in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.
2. What is SPMI (Serious and Persistent Mental Illness)?
   A description of serious and persistent mental illness can be found here: Serious and Persistent Mental Illness.
3. What is SED (Serious Emotional Disturbance)?
   Children with serious emotional disturbance are persons aged 17 or younger who currently have, or at any time during the past year have had a diagnosable mental, behavioral or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified within the DSM-IV-TR. In order to be considered SED, the diagnosable disorder must result in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits the child's role or functioning in family, school or community activities.

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