An exploratory survey indicated that the depression prevalence among Chinese Americans is 17.4 percent. Of 516 respondents, 34.9 percent preferred seeking advice from friends or relatives, followed by 30.2 percent not showing any preference when facing a mental health problem. Logistic regression results pointed to three contributing factors:…

In this study, the attitudes toward and beliefs about serious mental illness (SMI) held by a group of graduate social work students in the northwestern United States were examined. Mental health stigma was examined with relation to the following factors: participants' level of social contact with SMI populations, adherence to stereotypes about SMI…

Although most social work professionals may expect that women who experience partner violence will sustain acute physical injuries, social workers may be less knowledgeable about the chronic health problems with which violence survivors often struggle. To inform social work practice, we reviewed and synthesized the recently published research on…

This critical review of the 1961 report of the Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health concludes that the report and its adherents promised more than could be delivered and its claims regarding community mental health could not be supported by the available data. (Author)

Although significant numbers of social service clients experience mental health problems, virtually no research has examined the responsiveness of social service agencies to mental disorder. This article examines the extent to which client depression is reflected in records of a public social service agency, community long-term care (CLTC).…

After discharge from the hospital, many mental patients go back to the kind of environment that contributed to their breakdown. In the belief that new options should be available to mental patients when discharged, a hospital in New York City developed--with marked success--a plan for group living. (Author)

Stigma can greatly exacerbate the experience of mental illness. Diagnostic classification frequently used by clinical social workers may intensify this stigma by enhancing the public's sense of "groupness" and "differentness" when perceiving people with mental illness. The homogeneity assumed by stereotypes may lead mental health professionals and…

Presents two case histories that show the types of stress experienced by the developmentally disabled. These people are being denied adequate mental health services. Suggestions are made to the agencies that serve the disabled in order to correct this situation. (Author/LAB)

Examines the issue of involuntary outpatient commitment, and its implications for social workers working in the health system. Describes a nationwide movement to establish a new system of involuntary outpatient commitment to address the failure of deinstitutionalization, mandating mental health treatment in the community for persons ineligible for…

Presents data from an epidemiological study of 79 homeless people in Ohio in which just under one-third of the respondent sample was found to be in need of mental health services. Discusses issues important to both clinicians and epidemiologists working with homeless people. (Author)

Presents findings of metaanalysis of research on effectiveness of social work practice in mental health, including practice in outpatient settings and analysis of studies evaluating interventions for chronically mentally ill. Discusses practice and research implications. (Author/ABL)

A successful demonstration project that used social work students as case managers for the chronically mentally ill is described. An exploratory design was used and the results were positive for clients, students, and the system. (Author/BL)

Reviews aftercare for schizophrenic individuals who have been discharged as a result of deinstitutionalization. Focuses on the nature of the problems caused by deinstitutionalization, the professional response, various aftercare milieus, family treatment modalities, and the clinical process. (Author/ABB)

Findings suggest there are significant systemic relationships between major demographic trends in the United States and the rate of mental hospitalization. Macrosocial trends and changes can have important impacts on social work practice, and these impacts can make an important contribution to social policy and social work program planning.…

Mental health facilities that feed data about their patients into computers should be careful to follow civil liberties standards and those of professional ethics, so that they do not unwittingly contribute to unathorized breaches of privacy. (Authors)