Who is responsible for supporting "long-term mentally ill" persons?: reforming mental health practices in Sweden

Can J Commun Ment Health. 2004 Fall;23(2):51-63. doi: 10.7870/cjcmh-2004-0013.

Abstract

The Swedish Mental Health Reform of 1995 was intended to expand community services, improve inter-organizational co-operation between welfare agencies, and achieve goals of social participation for the mentally ill and disabled. The implementation of the reform was characterized by weak legal steering mechanisms and a strong commitment to transform norms. Time-limited economic incentives at the local level and efforts by enthusiastic key persons were salient traits. The result indicates that community-based services such as supported housing and rehabilitative methods have increased. However, inter-organizational co-operation is still difficult, and traditional norms according to which people with mental health problems are seen as ill rather than disabled remain intact.

MeSH terms

  • Deinstitutionalization
  • Health Care Reform*
  • Humans
  • Interinstitutional Relations
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Mental Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Politics
  • Sweden
  • Time Factors