People against the mentally ill: community opposition to residential treatment facilities

A community campaign against the establishment of psychiatric half-way house in Shatin District, Hong Kong was examined in terms of fear toward mental patients and problems in community relations. Failure of the Government to prepare for the community reintegration of mental patients pointed to lessons to be learned in Community Psychology. The apparent conflict between community empowerment and community care for the disabled was discussed. Suggestions for resolving the paradox included early community mental health education, involvement of community leaders in the planning, application of the knowledge and skills of Social Psychology in dealing with public panic, and cooperation with the mass media to reach the public.