What Did We Really Expect From Deinstitutionalization?
Abstract
Long-term, severely disabled psychiatric patients are almost by definition a marginal population. Yet the expectations of deinstitutionalization are often expressed in such terms as "helping them become a part of the mainstream of our society" and "normalization." Although only a minority of long-term patients can realize these expectations, the programs that receive the most attention are those geared to the higher-functioning minority. When scrutinized, proposed "solutions" to the problem of deinstitutionalization are found to be simplistic and unrealistic. Deinstitutionalization will have accomplished a tremendous amount if the mentally ill can live lives of dignity and a reasonable amount of comfort in the community, a goal that will require increased investment of both effort and funds in their living arrangements. The private sector, given sufficient financial incentives and proper supervision and support, can provide quality services to chronic patients on a large scale.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).
