The concept of mental illness: A new look at some old assumptions

It is suggested that new conceptual models are necessary to rehabilitate the poor risk patient. The institutional model of rehabilitating the psychiatric patient is not enough, but must be complemented by a comprehensive mental health center approach based in the community. The emergence of the comprehensive mental health center from the therapeutic community idea is intimated, but caution is offered against making the same mistakes often made by the therapeutic community approach. Minimal emphasis on rehabilitation in comprehensive mental health centers is pointed out as a weakness. The importance of vocational rehabilitation as a therapeutic agent in the community is stressed.