The term serious mental illness (SMI) is used in other studies that are discussed later. By definition, SMI "generally applies to mental disorders that interfere with some area of social functioning" (20). SMI has also been defined as a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder that meets criteria in the DSM-IV and results in functional impairment that substantially interferes with major life activities (19,21). MMI clients in this study have diagnoses that fall within the category of SMI.
