Community Care for Persons with Serious Mental Illness Removing Barriers and Building Supports. Human Services Series
The mental health policies of the past 20 years and the evidence of unserved populations suffering from serious mental illness constitute a public health crisis. Currently there are at least 3,000,000 people in the United States suffering from mental disorders. A fully developed continuum of care is needed to respond effectively to the diverse needs of mentally ill persons at varying times in their lives. Acute and crisis psychiatric care, rehabilitative services, housing, and supportive services are required. These services/policies for the mentally ill should be provided: (1) specialized services in the community; (2) community mental health centers focusing more of their resources on services to those with serious mental illness that are not provided by other community agencies; (3) sufficient inpatient beds for long-term care and forensic units; (4) intermediate level care; (5) a single local agency assuming responsibility for planning and coordinating services; (6) efficient fiscal/management policies; (7) elimination of barriers to participation of the seriously mentally ill; and (8) research into the practical problems faced by legislatures. Future service and delivery systems must be revised to meet the changing needs of new and emerging populations. The future mental health system will continue to become more decentralized and efforts will be made to access services through broad-based programs such as housing, income support, and social services. (Specific state responses are described.) (ABL)
Microform, English, 1988
Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse, [Place of publication not identified], 1988