The configuration of mental health services to facilitate care for people with schizophrenia.

Abstract

In Australia, the configuration of public mental health services varies between States and Territories, but, overall, community-based services are increasingly integrated and responsive to people with schizophrenia. Community-based services include mobile crisis teams, providing home-based acute treatment, and case-management services for ongoing treatment. Service improvements have been uneven across Australia. Some people with schizophrenia in psychiatric crisis have had difficulty accessing either home-based acute psychiatric treatment or acute psychiatric beds. Social isolation and lack of meaningful occupation continue to be a problem for people with schizophrenia. Psychosocial interventions can enhance reintegration into the community. However, the number of community-based psychosocial rehabilitation programs is still inadequate.