Community psychiatric care: from libertarianism to coercion. Moral panic and mental health policy in Britain.
This article discusses recent developments in mental health policy in Britain, focusing on the move towards compulsory supervision of mentally ill people in the community. It is argued that the desire for compulsion reflects moral panic rather than rational appraisal of the undoubted problems with community mental health care. Alternative strategies involving education of the patient and cares, the deployment of psychological treatments of psychosis and an emphasis on the negotiation of treatment plans, are advocated.
Holloway
F
F
Maudsley Hospital, UK.
D003068:Coercion; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D003688:Deinstitutionalization; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D009014:Morals; D006113:United Kingdom