A quarter century of psychiatric care, 1950-1974: a statistical review

The authors describe the changing trends in psychiatric care over the last quarter century. Whereas in 1950 state and county mental hospitals were the principal site for psychiatric care, by 1974 community mental health centers and other types of mental health facilities had an important role in providing such care. There has been a marked shift from inpatient to outpatient care, and more individuals with diagnoses other than psychoses are being treated today.