NCJ Number
53240
Journal
PSYCHIATRICA CLINICA Volume: 10 Issue: 1-3 Dated: (1977) Pages: 123-130
Date Published
1977
Length
8 pages
Annotation
CHANGES IN WEST GERMAN JUVENILE PSYCHIATRY PRODUCED BY A A SHIFT IN EMPHASIS TO COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
WITH THE GROWTH OF COMMUNITY AND JUVENILE PSYCHIATRY, ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY CONTACT CENTERS, ASSISTANCE BY VOLUNTEERS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON MENTAL ILLNESS, THE EFFECTS OF THE FAMILY ON WORK HABITS AND TREATMENT THROUGH TEAMWORK HAVE INCREASED IN IMPORTANCE. THE MANNHEIM MODEL (1974), WHICH COMBINES PSYCHIATRY AND SOCIAL WORK, NAMES FOUR KINDS OF COUNSELING: CLIENT-ORIENTED COUNSELING, SELF-HELP COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUALS, ADMINISTRATIVE COUNSELING FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS, AND INTRAINSTITUTIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS. THE TEAM MODEL INTRODUCED IN VIENNA IN 1975 EMPLOYS COOPERATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, INTERDISCIPLINARY INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND DISCUSSIONS, TEAM DECISIONS, AND INTENSIVE INTERACTION PROCESSES AMONG ALL WORKERS. SUCH TEAM WORK FACILITATES IMMEDIATE, FAMILY-ORIENTED CRISIS INTERVENTION WHICH ENABLES THE INDIVIDUAL TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AND TO ACHIEVE AUTONOMY. CRISIS INTERVENTION BY SOCIAL PSYCHIATRIC TEAMS IS MOST EFFECTIVE WHEN PROBLEM FAMILIES HAVE IDENTIFIED, THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT CAN BE MODIFIED THROUGH COOPERATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS DURING AND AFTER INTERVENTION, INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ABOUT PROBLEM FAMILIES BECAUSE OF LONG TERM FAMILY-SOCIAL WORKER CONTACTS, TREATMENT BY THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM IS CONTINUOUS THROUGHOUT THE CRISIS, THE PSYCHIATRIC CONTACT TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE AN INSTITUTION, AND SYMPTOMS AND RISKS ARE CAREFULLY EVALUATED IN REACHING A DIAGNOSIS. PROBLEMS INCLUDE THE DANGER OF OVEREMPHASIZING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT OF PROBLEMS, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE PSYCHIATRISTS' ACTIVITIES AS DOCTORS AND THEIR ROLES AS PART OF A SOCIAL INSTITUTION, VARIOUS JEALOUSIES BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, AND LIMITED DEVELOPMENT OF CRISIS INTERVENTION POTENTIAL BECAUSE OF STRUCTURAL FLAWS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS FURNISHED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)