Background to rehabilitation and social psychiatry
Rehabilitation psychiatry is
variously termed and often now uses the term “recovery” in order to
emphasise the need to focus on quality of life issues rather than
simply symptomatic relief. There is therefore a need to work with
people’s families and social circles to promote integration or
reintegration into the local community. More than ever people’s
individual values and beliefs must be respected and integrated into
treatment plans.
Most commonly, service users in
this area have had a significant period of contact with mental
health services and generally will have psychotic illnesses which
have not been easily treated. The practitioner is therefore
required to take a broad view of an individual’s wellbeing, work
closely with other organisations and look to build improvement in
life rather than expect quick, simple results.
Back to top
Back to student area home page
Page last updated on 16 May
2010 by E Baker-Glenn