Publications

The number of Americans with severe mental illness is estimated to be 6% of the population. When applied to the 2010 U.S. Census population estimate for ages 18 and older, this figure translates to 14 million people (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011). Many of these individuals require periodic inpatient treatment in order to achieve mental health stability and to function normally. Unfortunately, being displaced from the community even for a short period of time might result in the loss of employment, housing, social supports, and other important aspects of life.  

Hospitalization is not the only option for individuals with severe mental illness who experience episodes of psychiatric instability. Community-based alternatives to inpatient care have been available for decades. The Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963 was created to provide for community-based care as an alternative to institutionalization and the process of deinstitutionalization has continued at varying levels since then (Grob, 2008). The current trend has resulted in the development of several alternatives to inpatient treatment.  There are a variety of hospital diversion programs currently available around the country. These programs, including assertive community treatment (ACT), mobile crisis home treatment (MCHT), crisis stabilization, and partial hospitalization are preferred by consumers and are generally more cost effective than inpatient psychiatric care (Ruggeri et al., 2006; Ligon & Thyer, 2000; Granello et al., 1999; Essock et al., 1998).  The goal of these programs is to stabilize individuals experiencing crisis in the community and preferably in their own home.

Unfortunately, the research suggests community based programs are not always utilizing the most effective treatment tools due to insufficient knowledge. My new book, Multimodal Treatment of Acute Psychiatric Illness: A Guide for Hospital Diversion, offers service providers both a conceptual framework and practical guide for providing brief stabilizing mental health treatment to individuals with severe mental illness. The book is especially applicable to hospital diversion programs, but can be used by mental health professionals in any setting.