SPECIAL STUDY ON ALTERNATIVE HEALTH SERVICES - FINAL REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH 1978

• NCJ Number: 63367
• Author(s): J S GORDON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 35 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND SPECIFIC TYPES OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDING ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL SERVICES ARE DISCUSSED; WAYS THESE SERVICES CAN BE PROMOTED ARE SUGGESTED.

Abstract

ALTERNATIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BEGAN ABOUT 1968 AS ALTERNATIVES TO HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICE FACILITIES WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE FOUND THREATENING, DEMEANING, OR UNRESPONSIVE. THESE SERVICES HAVE GRADUALLY EXPANDED FROM THEIR EARLY FOCUS ON EMERGENCY SERVICES TO MEET NEW COMMUNITY NEEDS. ALTHOUGH NOT ALL THESE SERVICES DEFINE THEMSELVES AS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ALL SHARE CERTAIN PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES WHICH DEFINE THEIR APPROACH AS 'ALTERNATIVE' AND MAKE THEM PARTICULARLY USEFUL AND RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE THEY SERVE. AMONG THEIR IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS ARE IMMEDIATE ACCESSIBILITY, PRIMARY DEPENDENCE ON NONPROFESSIONALS, INCORPORATION OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION BY THOSE SERVED, PROVISION OF A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY, ECONOMY, AND QUALITY OF CARE EQUAL TO OR SUPERIOR TO THAT OF TRADITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS. ALTERNATIVE SERVICES INCLUDE HOTLINES, SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (SHELTERS FOR RUNAWAYS AND GROUP FOSTER HOMES), WOMEN'S SERVICES (FEMINIST COUNSELING, BIRTH AND HEALTH SERVICES, RAPE CRISIS CENTERS, AND SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WOMEN), OLDER PEOPLE'S PROGRAMS, ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR PSYCHOTIC ADULTS, FREE CLINICS, AND HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTERS. THESE SERVICES ARE BENEFICIAL AND SHOULD BE PROMOTED THROUGH LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT. PROFESSIONALS IN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS SHOULD PROVIDE CONSULTATION AND EDUCATON TO SUCH PROGRAMS RATHER THAN TRYNG TO DOMINATE THEM. EMPHASIS IN CENTERS SHOULD SHIFT FROM INDIVIDUAL THERAPY TO DEVELOPING SELF-HELP TECHNIQUES AND USING A NETWORK OF HELPERS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CENTERS. FUNDING FOR ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS SHOULD BE PROVIDED THROUGH GRANTS OR CONTRACTS RATHER THAN FEE-FOR-SERVICE. CONTINUED RESEARCH AND TRAINING ON THESE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)