[Evaluation of potential community resources for mental health]

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 service model.

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.

Users are mostly individuals with severe and persistent disorders. Community organizations meet 40% of their needs.

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.