Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic A Statistical Study of 275 Patients on Leave of Absence From Clarks Summit State Hospital, Pennsylvania, 1957-1959
Abstract
Mental illness in general and the treatment and care of mentally ill persons in particular are problems of almost overwhelming proportions. At present, approximately 50% of all hospital beds in the United States are occupied by mentally ill patients.Since the Second World War, mental hospital buildings, staffs, and equipment have improved. Also, there have been a general improvement in the training and diversification of personnel concerned with psychiatric work. But almost one half of the mental hospital world has not improved. Mental hospitals today harbor approximately 750,000 patients, this leaves approximately 337,000 mental patients hospitalized in overcrowded buildings, many of which are fire traps. There is also a dearth of adequate staffs. Many general hospitals would not consider operating under similar conditions. Because of the intensity and scope of mental illness, the public is gradually becoming aware of its obligation to help remedy this situation.The financial help available from taxes and public contributions has tripled since 1944. It has increased from 30 billion dollars to 90 billion dollars at this time.
Subject Area
Clinical psychology|Mental health|Social work
Recommended Citation
Swift, Harold Augustus, "Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic A Statistical Study of 275 Patients on Leave of Absence From Clarks Summit State Hospital, Pennsylvania, 1957-1959" (1960). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI31097054.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI31097054
