A study of former state hospital employees at a community-based outpatient clinic

The current trend toward providing community-based services for the mentally ill has had substantial impact on state hospital employees who transfer to community mental health centers. A study, through interviews and questionnaires, of 30 Grafton State Hospital employees who transferred to a community outpatient clinic indicated initial anxiety about the hospital's closing, the relocation process, and the lack of structure in the new community setting. Many employees stated that those initial reactions were gradually replaced by satisfaction and personal growth stemming from successful adaptation to the community-based placement.