Why this is important: Residents with thought disorders (such as bi-polar and schizophrenia) are often met with confusion, fear, and extreme concern by housing staff. This program will help demystify concerning behaviors such as hallucinations and obsessive and delusional thoughts, giving housing staff some practical guidance on how to respond and talk to other residents about these behaviors in a housing community. 
 
Description: This micro-learning course offers practical, research-based guidance explaining the range of various thought disorders and how behaviors may occur in a housing community. Easy-to-follow dos and don’ts will be provided outlining how housing staff should respond to these behaviors and how to set boundaries, de-escalate situations, and make referrals to a multi-disciplinary behavioral intervention team for follow up, treatment, and community support. Often these behaviors lead to community disruptions and/or emergency response by police or medical staff. The course will review the importance of a calm, confident stance by housing staff based on demystifying the fear and concerns these extreme mental illness symptoms may cause for those who don’t understand how thought disorders manifest.
 
Housing staff will be able to:
Review the common myths related to thought disorders regarding harmful or dangerous behaviors
Identify common types of related behaviors such as hallucinations, mania, and delusional, obsessive, and paranoid thoughts
Demonstrate practical de-escalation skills and the importance of connecting the resident to the multi-disciplinary behavioral intervention team, as well as clinical and community support 
Talk to other residents about their concerns surrounding resident experiencing thought disorders to reduce concern, fear, and panic