The closing of Central State Hospital: Long-term outcomes for persons withsevere mental illness

This study examined the clinical/community functioning of long-stay patient s following closing of a large state psychiatric hospital. Two overlapping samples were followed: (I) the tracking project collected information on pa tient location, treatment provision, legal contacts, and level of functioni ng (LOF) and followed all discharged patients and (2) the research study su bsample, drawn from the final group of discharged patients, gathered inform ation on quality of life (QOL), LOF, and general physical and mental health . At follow-up, patients were functioning equal to or better than prior to discharge. There were consistent improvements in QOL (especially safety and occupational satisfaction) and LOF (especially housing and income/benefits ). Fewer than 27% of patients discharged into the community were rehospital ized and fewer than 4% were either in jail or homeless after 24 months. The study demonstrates that even persons who have been hospitalized for extrem ely long periods can do well in the community.