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The mental health center as a community laboratory

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Abstract

This discussion summarizes community-based research conducted by the Human Relations Service of Wellesley, Inc., during the first 15 years of its existence as a pilot mental health program. It suggests that the community mental health laboratory develop service and research as coordinated components. Service activities are viewed as vital parts of ongoing community research. A collaborative relationship between researcher and subjects is recommended. With flexibility and imaginative use of its unique characteristics, the community mental health laboratory provides observations not possible in other settings.

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From 1953 to 1962 he was executive director, Human Relations Service of Wellesley, Inc. Portions of this paper are taken from “The Community as a Laboratory,” chapter six of Community Dynamics and Mental Health,published by John Wiley in 1968.

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Klein, D.C. The mental health center as a community laboratory. Community Ment Health J 5, 358–366 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01438981

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