A program for the treatment of posthospitalized mental patients in a low-income black community

An aftercare treatment program was developed and implemented to service posthospitalized mental patients from a low-income black community of more than 33,000 residents. The program was designed and structured for this specific clinical population to meet the individual's mental health needs in most areas of lifefunctioning. Given the lack of adequate follow-up treatment which often characterized poverty areas, the program adopted a multidisciplinary approach to treatment incorporating psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, art therapists, and activity therapists. It was concluded that the multifacet, multidisciplinary program as implemented demonstrates a viable approach for providing services to previously neglected low-income residents in this inner-city predominantly black community.