THE GREATER-VANCOUVER-MENTAL-HEALTH-SERVICE-SOCIETY - 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN URBAN-COMMUNITY MENTAL-HEALTH

Caring for people in the community with persistent and disabling menta l illnesses presents a major challenge to government, planners and men tal health professionals. The success with which mentally disabled peo ple are integrated into community life says much about the society in which we live. This article describes the experience of the Greater Va ncouver Mental Health Service Society in offering community-based ment al health services to persons with schizophrenia and other major menta l disorders over the past 20 years. The key to its success lies in a d ecentralized, relatively non hierarchical organizational structure whi ch allows committed and skilled multidisciplinary teams to work with p atients and their families in their community. The resulting services are fully integrated within the fabric of the community and are respon sive to local needs. Partnerships among professionals, patients, famil ies and community agencies result in work that is creative, productive and effective.