Understanding the benefits and challenges of community engagement in the development of community mental health services for common mental disorders: Lessons from a case study in a rural South African subdistrict site

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 418-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inge Petersen ◽  
Kim Baillie ◽  
Arvin Bhana ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Health Services ◽  
South African ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Community Mental Health Services ◽  
Rural South

The Changing Nature of Psychiatry

1991 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Mental Health Services ◽  
Traditional Role ◽  
Dynamic Psychotherapy ◽  
Diagnostic Interviews

The traditional role of psychiatrist as the central figure in the delivery of mental health services is changing. First, the advent of structured diagnostic interviews means that the diagnosis of mental disorders is no longer the exclusive preserve of psychiatrists; second, the growth of community mental health services staffed by non-psychiatrists means that psychiatrists now treat a minority of the patients with mental disorders; and third, the psychiatrists' continued endorsement of dynamic psychotherapy means they are becoming identified with an unproven and very expensive treatment. These changes should be seen against the broader background of a profession that is well-trained, active in evaluating performance, supported by a burgeoning research base in cognitive science and neuroscience, and delivering services efficiently and inexpensively.

scholarly journals Experiences of mental health service users on their empowerment and social integration in the community

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Yotsidi ◽  
Kalliope Kounenou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Community Mental Health Services ◽  
Service Users

The transition from institutionalized towards community mental health services demands the evolution from social exclusion to integration practices. Empowerment of people with mental disorders, through their involvement in planning and service provision, prevails as a cutting-edge in such practices. Along these lines, this study adopted a structured bottom-up research methodology to explore the experiences of people with severe mental disorders on nine areas of their community participation. Three focus groups of 18 persons with psychotic disorders who were treated on an out-patient community mental health centre were set up. Qualitative data analysis showed that the areas of treatment, housing, education, and entertainment have turned to be more accessible for mental health service users than those of employment, active citizenship, social relations, social networks and activities in the community. The latter were revealed to still be obstructed by specific personal and social variables, which should be taken into account for community-based treatment to become more responsive and tailor-made. Results are discussed in relation to the role of counselling psychology in improving community mental health services and ensuring that service providers empathize with and respond to individuals' understanding of their condition and what contributes to their care and well-being.

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