Evidence-Based Practices: Shaping Mental Health Services Toward Recovery

Implementation Resource Kit User's Guide

A Word about Terminology

Terms used in the Implementation Resource Kit materials

The materials were developed by people from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. During development, it became evident that many different terms are used to describe the key stakeholders. For the sake of clarity and consistency, in most instances common terms are used to identify these groups throughout the implementation resource kits. In some situations more precise, or alternative, terminology is used. For instance, in the Supported Employment implementation resource kit, the term ‘employment specialist’ is often used rather than “practitioner.”

Consumers, clients, people who have experienced psychiatric symptoms

These terms refer to persons who are living with severe mental illness and who use professional mental health services—the consumers of mental health services. The term ‘consumer’ is most frequently employed in the resource kit materials. In the Supported Employment workbook and in the outcome measures document, the term ‘client’ is used. The Illness Management and Recovery resource kit uses the term ‘people who have experienced psychiatric symptoms’.

Family and other supporters

This terminology refers to families and other people who provide support to a consumer, and recognizes that many consumers have key supporters who are not family members.

Practitioners and clinical supervisors

The term practitioner refers to the people who deliver the evidence-based practice. This is used instead of clinician, case manager, nurse, psychiatrist, therapist, etc. except when referring to a specific kind of role (e.g., the employment specialist in supported employment, or the prescriber in medication management). The term clinical supervisor is used to distinguish between an administrative supervisor and the person supervising the clinical work of the practitioner.

Mental health program leaders

This term is used to describe the person at the mental health provider organization who is trying to put the practice into effect. This term is used instead of program supervisor, operations director, program manager, or program administrator. The term is used because it makes it clear that this person’s job is to lead with the support of the agency’s administration.

Public mental health authorities

This term is used to describe the people who determine the regulations and funding structures of the public mental health system. We recognize that evidence-based practices are also implemented and overseen in the private sector.

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