Consensus Statement on Improving Mental Health Transitions

The 2014 consensus development conference was commissioned by the Government of Alberta to improve the transition of its system of care for people with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) toward the community.

This Consensus Statement was prepared by an independent 13-member jury of health professionals, academics and public representatives based on: 1) relevant published studies assembled by the Scientific Committee for the conference; 2) presentations by experts in areas relevant to the conference questions; 3) questions and comments from conference attendees during open discussion periods; and 4) the private deliberations of the jury.

The conference was held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Consensus Statement therefore refers to circumstances in Alberta, although data were drawn not only from Alberta but also from other parts of Canada, the United States and internationally.

This statement is an independent report of the jury and is not a policy statement of the conference partners or the Government of Alberta.

The recommendations were read aloud by the Jury Chair and discussed with delegates at the conference in an open session on the closing day of the conference, November 6, 2014, together with the Jury Chair’s Introduction which is included here.