AMNCH - Advances in Psychiatry

Up until the latter half of the 20th century, people with mental health problems were incarcerated in large Victorian asylums throughout the length and breath of this country. As a result, this “institutionalisation” created behavioural symptoms that were as detrimental to the patients’ quality of life as the disorder for which they were originally admitted. However, last year 2004, hallmarks the 20th anniversary of the publication of the pioneering document, Planning for the Future, Department of Health, (1984), which has primarily influenced the development of the Irish mental health services this century. Although issued over 2 decades ago, it is well recognised that this landmark document had worthy aims. It introduced the concept of sectorisation, with one professional team responsible for the same sector population, dealing with all stages of mental illness within this population from acute onset to severe and enduring illness. Furthermore, it also outlined that this sector team should provide integrated, comprehensive individualised system of care and support, responsive to the needs of the individual. However, implementation of this plan in the late 1980’s coincided with one of the worst recessions in this country’s modern history. 1984 was a time of financial stringency in Irish public services, and this had a negative effect on the advancement of mental health services. Nonetheless, we need to acknowledge the vast changes have taken place in the provision of the mental health services, as a result of this publication. The dismantling of the large outdated asylum approach to care was replaced by a community-oriented service providing a range of specialised services (Walsh & Daly 2003).

References

Walsh D. and Daly A. (2003) Activities of Irish psychiatric services 2001, Health Research Board, Dublin.

Department of Health (1998) The Psychiatric Services: Planning for the Future, The Stationery Office, Dublin

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Advances in Psychiatry

Author: Martina McGuiness

References