Tobacco Recovery Wellness Initiative (TRWI)

Smoking is the leading cause of death and disability for those with behavioral health issues, and smoking rates are significantly higher for this population than those of the general population. For example 41% of Philadelphia residents with mental health conditions are smokers and, nationally, persons with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have lifetime smoking prevalence rates as high as 82%.

Here at DBHIDS we believe people with behavioral health conditions have a right to wellness and recovery. Tobacco-free environment and cessation treatments are effective ways to reduce rates of tobacco use among persons in acute inpatient psychiatric (AIP) and extended acute inpatient (EAC) settings which is why we are working with these providers to implement a tobacco-free environment by the end of 2015.

Learn more about the work we are doing to make treatment facilities – eventually of all kinds across Philadelphia – tobacco-free below.

About TRWI

The Tobacco Recovery and Wellness Initiative (TRWI) is a project that helps behavioral health providers incorporate evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment into their clinical and community practice.

The mission of TRWI is to reduce smoking rates by 10 to 15 percent in the next three to five years among Philadelphians with behavioral health problems (and among behavioral health staff) by:

• Recognizing and addressing tobacco use as a core behavioral health priority
• Offering consistent, evidence-based cessation counseling and treatment to consumers
• Creating a treatment (and workplace) climate that fosters smoke-free living

TRWI is a partnership between the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Tobacco Policy and Control Program, University of Pennsylvania’s Comprehensive Smoking Treatment Program, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities (DBHIDS) that engages behavioral health providers to incorporate evidence-based tobacco dependence treatment into their clinical and community practice.

TRWI envisions a Philadelphia where people with behavioral health challenges are free from tobacco addiction and live long, healthy, and productive lives.This website is designed to offer information and resources for:

• For Behavioral Health Professionals
• For the Public