Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation has come to mean more than what is contained in standard dictionary definitions, as the author explains at the outset. Historical developments are described because in future years the current approach to mental illness might be regarded as a watershed between custodial and community care. Consideration is also given to some aspects of present day practices with ‘Long-stay’ and ‘New long-stay’ patients. Finally rehabilitation may be regarded as no longer an adjunct but an integral part of the process of care of the mentally ill. All rehabilitation is at risk if adequate resources are not available.