Abstract
The myriad of community problems created by the deinstitutionalization of psychiatric hospitals can be attributed to inadequate administrative planning rather than any lack of technical expertise in working with the mentally ill. In planning, administrative goals were emphasized over treatment concerns, community systems and environments were poorly conceived, and the difficult realities of treating chronic mental patients in the community were not acknowledged. Some of the failures in planning can be attributed to a lack of a client, community, and treatment personnel acknowledgement and involvement. Empowering these groups in the decision making process would improve community services, as would organizing clients into an active social, political, and consumer force.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bachrach, L.L. (1984). The concept of young adult chronic patients: questions from a research perspective.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 35, 595–600.
Bradford, D.L., & Cohen, A.R. (1984).Managing for excellence, New York: Wiley and Sons.
Brager, G., Specht, H., & Torczyner, J. (1987),Community organizing, New York: Columbia University Press.
Caton, C. (1981). The new chronic patient and the system of community care.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 32, 475–478.
Fischer, P., & Breakey, W. (1985). Homelessness and mental health: an overview.International Journal of Mental Health, 14, 6–41.
Goldman, H.H., & Gattozzi, N.A. (1988). Murder in the cathedral: President Reagan and the mentally disabled.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 39, 505–509.
Grobb, G.N. (1983).Mental illness and American society 1875–1940. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Hasenfeld Y. (1983).Human service organizations. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall Inc.
Holcomb, W.R., & Ahr, P.R. (1988). Arrest rates among young adult psychiatric patients treated in inpatient and outpatient settings.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 39, 52–57.
Katz, D., & Kahn, R.L. (1978).The social psychology of organizations, New York: Wiley and Sons.
Kiesler, C.A. (1982). Mental hospitals and alternative care: Noninstitutionalization as potential public policy for mental patients.American Psychologist, 37, 349–360.
Lamb, H.R. (1982). Young adult chronic patients: The new drifters.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 33, 465–468.
Levine, M. (1981).The history and politics of community mental health. New York: Oxford University Press.
McCarrick, A.K., Manderscheid, R.W., & Bertolucci, D.E. (1985). Correlates of acting-out behaviors among young adult chronic patients.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 36, 848–853.
Minkoff, K. (1987). Beyond deinstitutionalization: A new ideology for the postinstitutional era.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 38, 945–950.
Pepper, B., Kirshner, M.C., & Ryglewicz, H. (1981). The young adult chronic patient: Overview of a population.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 32, 463–469.
Safer, D.J. (1987). Substance abuse by young adult chronic patients.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 38, 511–514.
Schwartz, S.R. & Goldfinger, S.M. (1981). The new chronic patient: Clinical characteristics of an emerging subgroup.Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 32, 470–474.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Polcin, D.L. Administrative planning in community mental health. Community Ment Health J 26, 181–192 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00752394
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00752394