Community care, like institutionalisation is not a place; it’s a measure of society’s relationship to difference and justice. Since the middle ages people who were physically disabled or mentally ill have been sent away.
The hospitals, institutions, asylums – call them what you like – were the physical manifestation of difference, between citizens in our communities. Always found out of town, although over time many towns grew to meet them, but enough distance to ensure that most people in the local community were not connected and indifferent to those who lived there.
New Zealand has the international reputation of being one of the first countries in the world to close our long standing psychiatric hospitals. Our mental health and addiction services now include a mix of services provided by staff employed by the District Health Boards, community organisations, General Practice and Primary care organisations and some private organisations and individuals are all part of the mix. We need the diversity of skills, experience and knowledge to work in this area because there are often many things happening to a person and their family all at the same time. The community organisations employ staff who help people stay well by connecting them to their community family and friends, this means finding places to live, things to do and employment. This is New Zealand’s mental health and addiction system, it has evolved over the last 15-20 years, it continues to develop, it is envied by many countries over the world and its success depends on each part doing what its bit well. (more…)
