This free service is open to clinicians and other professionals who work for the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH) and its community IST partners. Ask questions about any topics related to your work with people who have serious mental illness (SMI) and are found incompetent to stand trial (IST).

Completely free, confidential, and secure

through a secure online system

Experts provide personalized answers

on SMI, IST, psychopharmacology, substance use, self-care, and more

Ask about any topics

DSH guidelines, treatments, assessment, self-care, and more

Ask A Question Meet the Experts FAQ's

Do not use this service from SMI CalAdviser for emergencies and/or urgent medical or mental health needs.

For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room

For a mental health crisis, you can call, text or chat 988

Our Experts Can Help With Questions Like...

"What are the best screening tools for substance use in people who have SMI?"

"Where do I find the best fact sheets about clozapine?"

“What is the safest way to switch a person’s long-acting injectable medication?”

"How do we start using measurement-based care in our clinic?"

"How can I engage a person’s family members in their care?"

"Are there effective ways to help people engage in self-care, like exercise?

The Experts Who Answer Your Questions

This is the team that answers every single question you ask. Each answer comes from a clinician who has subject matter expertise in the topic that you ask about.

Consultation FAQ

Have questions about how this free service works? Find clear answers below.