Emergency Psychiatry

Abstract

In the United States considerable emphasis is at present being placed upon emergency psychiatric services. This is part of a national drive to provide a high level of care for the total population and not just those who can afford the services of private psychiatrists. Investigations have been conducted in various centres in the U.S.A., and subsequent discussion and documentation (e.g. 5) suggest that emergency care is best given by a centre which also provides full in-patient and out-patient services. This echoes and reinforces the recommendations of the “Community Mental Health Centers Act”, which promises Federal matching funds to American states setting up community mental health centres, provided the services are comprehensive. The term “comprehensive” is defined in some detail, and comprises in-patient and out-patient services, partial hospitalization (e.g. day-care), emergency services for 24 hours in the day, and consultation and educational services to professional personnel and to the community at large.