In: Nursing
Mental health care has changed drastically during the past five decades. Please explain the major changes in the mental health system.
Answer: There are community mental health centers across the nation. They are located in neighborhoods near the homes of clients, and they provide large numbers of people with mental health services of various kinds and for many kinds of problems.
Unfortunately, part of what occurred with deinstitutionalization was that those released from institutions were supposed to go to newly created centers, but the system was not set up effectively. Most people suffering from mental illnesses are not hospitalized. If someone is feeling very depressed, complains of hearing voices, or feels anxious all the time, he or she might seek psychological treatment. A friend, spouse, or parent might refer someone for treatment. The individual might go see his primary care physician first and then be referred to a mental health practitioner.
People hope that the integration of suicide prevention programs into localised initiatives that simultaneously involve schools, health care providers, hospitals and emergency services will provide some benefit in this area.