Abstract
The chronically mentally ill have been with us since the beginning of recorded history. Their care has continuously shifted from institutional to community settings and back again. Over time we have seen many innovative humane and even successful methods of providing care and rehabilitation; but the provision of services to the chronically ill is, by definition, a continuous responsibility that is frequently expensive and always frustrating. Had we discovered a cure for chronic mental illnesses, we would not need to write these papers and I and my staff would be engaged in pursuits other than that of public mental health. I make this point because the care of the chronically mentally ill has been and continues to be primarily the responsibility of government, principally state governments, and, in some states, local government.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Reference
Farr, R. K. 1982. Skid row mental health project. Paper delivered to National Association of Counties conference as part of 1982 award to Los Angeles Department of Mental Health for new and innovative mental health projects, Washington, DC, July 12. Copies available from R. K. Farr, 2415 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1984 Spectrum Publications, Inc.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Elpers, J.R. (1984). The Needs of the Chronically Mentally Ill: The Perspective of a Director of a Large Urban Mental Health Program. In: Mirabi, M., Feldman, L. (eds) The Chronically Mentally Ill. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9825-7_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9825-7_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-011-9827-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-9825-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive