Privatization and Mental Health Care: A Fragile Balance

(Hardback)

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Mental health policy in the United States has involved varying approaches, often reflecting the social and economic conditions of the times. The compelling needs of individuals, however, have consistently demanded attention and some form of public policy response has been necessary, even since the early days. Societal reaction has moved in many differing directions--from institutionalization and deinstitutionalization to the care and costs borne at public expense to the current emphasis on increasing privatization. Dorwart and Epstein stress that the mental health system must be seen as a system within two other systems--health care and social service--if it is to be effective. They have written an authoritative, comprehensive, and practical analysis of the mental health policy area, offering sound policy recommendations.

Reviews

.,."provides rich descriptive data, and the comparative perspective enables the authors to explore several important hypotheses about the relationship between the voluntary sector and government. Dorwart and Epstein present a thoughtful analysis of the privatization of the delivery of mental health services in the United States."-Social Work
. . . an important source of information, and it provides a substantive discussion of current mental health care policy and a thoughtful presentation of options for future policy.-Academic Medicine
...provides rich descriptive data, and the comparative perspective enables the authors to explore several important hypotheses about the relationship between the voluntary sector and government. Dorwart and Epstein present a thoughtful analysis of the privatization of the delivery of mental health services in the United States.-Social Work
A well-written book that will be valuable for many citizens of the mental health world: policymakers, teachers, and practitioners.-Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
By understanding the interplay between the health care and social services systems and the mental health care system, policymakers and providers can anticipate the steps needed to use these systems most effectively. Ignoring interacting systems, the authors warn, will lead to failure. To understand such interactions and the role of privatization in the context of health reform, this book is indispensable to policymakers.-Health Affairs
Policy analysts, administrators, benefits planners, advocates and those who teach mental health professionals, will find this book a thorough and balanced contribution to all perspectives on the present and future status of mental health services in the United States.-Administration in Social Work
The empirical core of this volume makes it necessary reading for anybody interested in the future of mental health policy or services. The book is both short and easy to read and I recommend it.-Contemporary Psychology
..."provides rich descriptive data, and the comparative perspective enables the authors to explore several important hypotheses about the relationship between the voluntary sector and government. Dorwart and Epstein present a thoughtful analysis of the privatization of the delivery of mental health services in the United States."-Social Work
." . . an important source of information, and it provides a substantive discussion of current mental health care policy and a thoughtful presentation of options for future policy."-Academic Medicine
"A well-written book that will be valuable for many citizens of the mental health world: policymakers, teachers, and practitioners."-Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
"Policy analysts, administrators, benefits planners, advocates and those who teach mental health professionals, will find this book a thorough and balanced contribution to all perspectives on the present and future status of mental health services in the United States."-Administration in Social Work
"The empirical core of this volume makes it necessary reading for anybody interested in the future of mental health policy or services. The book is both short and easy to read and I recommend it."-Contemporary Psychology
"By understanding the interplay between the health care and social services systems and the mental health care system, policymakers and providers can anticipate the steps needed to use these systems most effectively. Ignoring interacting systems, the authors warn, will lead to failure. To understand such interactions and the role of privatization in the context of health reform, this book is indispensable to policymakers."-Health Affairs

Author Bio

ROBERT A. DORWART is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Public Health at Harvard Medical School and The Cambridge Hospital and Chairman of the Mental Health Policy Working Group at the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. SHERRIE S. EPSTEIN is a Research Associate at the Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.