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Bridging the gap between professionals and the community in mental health services: findings and policy implications of two demonstration projects
Author(s) -
PhD Jérôme Guay
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2524.1994.tb00154.x
Subject(s) - mental health , psychological intervention , intervention (counseling) , public relations , context (archaeology) , nursing , social work , neighbourhood (mathematics) , psychology , medicine , medical education , political science , psychiatry , geography , mathematical analysis , mathematics , archaeology , law
This paper describes two projects which targeted citizens as key players in the well‐being and mental health of local communities and have tapped the mutual aid resources of informal helping networks. One of these projects was implemented with people who had mental health problems, many of whom were homeless and dependant drug users, in Quebec's inner city. Two professional workers, who were experienced in neighbourhood interventions (a psychologist and an educator) and a researcher were employed for a period of 28 months (from September 1989 to December 1991). The other project was implemented within the context of primary care for a wide range of health and social problems in a rural LCCS (Local Centre for Community Services). A social worker, who specialized in rural network intervention, was employed for 2 years. The same research team worked on both of the projects. The main objective of both projects was the development and testing of a method of intervention which aimed to encourage citizen involvement, both in promoting the physical and mental health of those suffering from transitory problems, and in the rehabilitation process of those suffering from severe social or mental health problems. In order to accomplish that objective, the professional workers made themselves visible and accessible in the community. The projects generated two very different models of intervention. The inner city model of intervention was tied closely to pivotal citizens and placed a great emphasis on the helper‐therapy principle. The rural model was founded on network intervention, mutual aid being more relevant for marginal people. Even though these models of intervention embody provincial and federal government policies, professionals are far from ready and able to change their practice accordingly.