SMI Spotlight shares stories, research, and helpful information relating to severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. SMI Spotlight is hosted by TAC's Scientific Officer, the renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Xavier Amador, author of "I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help!"
SMI Spotlight
Claim This Podcastby TAC
4.8(17 reviews)
15 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
43
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality38
Social0
YouTube86
Engagement32
Podcast Overview
SMI Spotlight shares stories, research, and helpful information relating to severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder. SMI Spotlight is hosted by TAC's Scientific Officer, the renowned clinical psychologist Dr. Xavier Amador, author of "I Am Not Sick, I Don't Need Help!"
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/12/2024
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43
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality38
Social0
YouTube86
Engagement32
8
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1
Good Performance
10
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
34 minutes
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6.5/10
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Every 34 days
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Recent Episodes
May 21, 2026
"Gone Before Gone": Coping with Ambiguous Loss to Psychosis
<p>In today’s episode of SMI Spotlight, host Dr. Xavier Amador (Clinical Psychologist and author of “I Am Not Sick I Don’t Need Help!”) speaks with Jerri Niebaum Clark, author of “Gone Before Gone: When Mental Illness Steals Someone You Love.” Together, they explore the deeply personal and often misunderstood experience of ambiguous loss caused by severe mental illness and psychosis.Jerri shares the story of her son Calvin, offering an intimate look at how bipolar disorder and psychosis impact not only individuals, but entire families. This conversation sheds light on the emotional toll of loving someone who is physically present but psychologically changed—what experts call ambiguous loss.The discussion also takes a critical look at systemic barriers in mental health care, including how current policies often require individuals to be an imminent danger to themselves or others before they can access treatment. Dr. Amador and Jerri examine how these systemic failures contribute to the criminalization of mental illness, leaving families without support until a crisis unfolds.In addition to sharing Calvin’s life and story, Jerri discusses the creation of her book, its self-help structure for caregivers, and the deeply symbolic owl painting on the cover, representing her enduring connection with her son.This episode is essential viewing for family members, caregivers, mental health advocates, clinicians, and anyone interested in severe mental illness (SMI), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anosognosia, and mental health reform.Video Sections:</p><ul><li>(00:00) - Intro</li><li>(01:18) - Today's guest Jerri </li><li>(01:44) - Jerri's son Calvin </li><li>(02:06) - Jerri's Book: Gone Before Gone </li><li>(02:53) - What does Gone Before Gone mean? </li><li>(05:40) - What is ambiguous loss? </li><li>(10:13) - How does the term ambiguous loss help? </li><li>(11:16) - Jerri's son Calvin's story </li><li>(15:09) - The challenges of trying to access hospitalization </li><li>(19:26) - How does the system punish people with severe mental illness? </li><li>(22:23) - How Jerri's book became structured in a self-help style </li><li>(24:59) - Calvin's letter at the start of Jerri's book </li><li>(28:21) - Jerri's poem </li><li>(33:17) - The story of the owl painting on Jerri's book's cover </li><li>(34:30) - Jerri's connection with Calvin and owls </li><li>(35:37) - How Jerri met the book cover artist </li><li>(36:43) - The full owl painting </li><li>(37:37) - How to find Jerri's book </li><li>(38:30) - How Pete Earley, author of "Crazy", wrote the foreword to Jerri's book </li><li>(42:13) - Thank you!</li></ul>
April 20, 2026
SMI Spotlight Short: A Music Fundraiser for Mental Health
<p>Today, SMI Spotlight host Dr. Xavier Amador interviews two special guests who are collaborating to raise money for TAC through the release of a musical album. Jimmy Haslip is an acclaimed Grammy-winning bassist. Julia Gillies is an advocate whose family has been deeply impacted by severe mental illness across generations. Here they share the story of what inspired them to launch this music fundraiser and how they hope it will help others access quality care for mental illness. To donate and support the creation of their album, go to:https://gofund.me/5efbbfc7d</p>
March 11, 2026
How can Police Effectively De-escalate Mental Health Crises?
<p>In this episode of SMI Spotlight, Dr. Xavier Amador sits down with Sgt. Robert McKeirnan, a leader in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and co-response strategies in Olathe, Kansas. Together, they explore how law enforcement can respond more effectively, compassionately, and safely to individuals experiencing mental health crises.</p><p>Sgt. McKeirnan offers an insightful look into the realities of crisis response. He discusses how de-escalation begins the moment a call comes in and carries through in the decisions leading to direct interaction. He also covers the barriers that make it difficult to connect people with the right services for mental health treatment instead of criminalization. He shares how CIT units work, why mental-health‑related calls have risen sharply, and the skills officers use to reduce risk and build trust during some of the most difficult moments a family or individual may face.</p><p>Dr. Amador and Sgt. McKeirnan also give practical tips on how families can prepare for crisis situations. A crisis checklist can be helpful for this. Sgt. McKeirnan shared the checklist that his team provides to families in Olathe. The checklist can be found at this link:</p><p>https://www.tac.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/911-Checklist-Olathe-Example.jpg</p><p>Whether you're a family caregiver, mental health professional, law enforcement officer, or simply someone trying to better understand crisis response, this conversation offers invaluable insight, guidance, and hope.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><ul><li>(00:00) - Mental Health Crisis Police Response </li></ul><ul><li>(00:48) - Sgt. Robert McKeirnan </li></ul><ul><li>(01:35) - Appearing in uniform </li></ul><ul><li>(02:25) - Associating the police uniform with kindness, respect, and trust </li></ul><ul><li>(03:06) - CIT Co-response model in Olathe </li></ul><ul><li>(04:24) - What happens when the team is called? How is safety ensured? </li></ul><ul><li>(05:32) - Why has the number of mental health calls jumped exponentially? </li></ul><ul><li>(06:40) - What is de-escalation? </li></ul><ul><li>(10:18) - The time it takes to de-escalate </li></ul><ul><li>(10:32) - How much time does de-escalation take? </li></ul><ul><li>(12:21) - How to reach a CIT team and frame the call </li></ul><ul><li>(16:08) - How many times are the same people seen? </li></ul><ul><li>(17:28) - How to respond when someone meets involuntary admission criteria </li></ul><ul><li>(21:35) - The most common elements of de-escalation. Right vs right for the situation </li></ul><ul><li>(25:23) - How could crisis response be improved? </li></ul><ul><li>(27:34) - How can law enforcement change to improve crisis response? </li></ul><ul><li>(32:33) - Engaging and helping family caregivers </li></ul><ul><li>(36:29) - Dr Amador's advice for families </li></ul><ul><li>(37:01) - Importance of early intervention </li></ul><ul><li>(38:18) - Crisis info cards </li></ul><ul><li>(39:35) - Cops who care<br></li></ul>
15 total episodes available
Recent guests on SMI Spotlight
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
nurses from New York City’s SCOUT program
Guest
Michele Hicks
Guest
Leslie Carpenter
Guest
Dr Xavier Amador
Guest
Dr Marketa Wills
Guest
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is SMI Spotlight?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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