Evaluation of community mental health resources

Objectives: Within the framework of the mental health services regional organization, the objectives are to describe and assess a day-care type alternative, informal mental health care sen,ice model. Method: One hundred and twenty-nine subjects were studied in a stratified sample from 3 community organizations in a mostly urban subregion in Quebec. The data were collected in several steps with 3 types of respondents: the user, the clinical team, and the community organization In addition to the GAS and MRSS scales, a questionnaire was used to establish a sociodemographic profile and a health profile (diagnosis, medication, hospitalizations, outpatient follow-up). The EDBES was also used to assess the need (or lack thereof) for 25 mental health care services and their use during the last month. Results: Users are mostly individuals with severe and persistent disorders. Community organizations meet 40% of their needs. Conclusion: The 3 organizations play a key role in mental health care services. Their contribution, however could be enhanced by increasing subsidies; this would allow for permanent staff and longer office hours and would improve coordination and cooperation with clinical treatment teams.