Abstract
Aims and MethodVery little research has been undertaken to characterise the service user groups served by the voluntary sector mental health services in Britain. In view of the high reported cases of dissatisfaction with the statutory mental health services in the population of Caribbean origin in Britain, we sought to compare the male service users attending a voluntary sector service in Brixton, South London with those attending a service run by the mental health hospital for that catchment area. The service users and their case workers were interviewed and their case notes reviewed to obtain demographic information such as employment and forensic history and contact with other services. They were also assessed using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN).ResultsThe service users attending the voluntary sector were significantly more disadvantaged in the areas of unemployment and contact with other health services particularly general practitioners. They had significantly lower scores on the GAF and had more unmet needs on the CAN, including numeracy and literacy skills. Both patient groups, however, reported problems with intimate relationships.Clinical ImplicationsService users attending voluntary sector services are likely to be more socially and materially deprived than their counterparts attending statutory services and specific strategies are required to assist these organisations in meeting the many needs of the service users.
Highlights
A total of 54 male service users were interviewed at the Fanon Day Centre (FDC), the age range was 22^58 years with a mean of 37.6 (s.d.=3.7)
The service evolved to include the provision of basic social support such as advice on housing and benefits
Our findings here suggest that the patient group attending the FDC are severely impaired and they are likely to place significant demands on the staff
Summary
Very little research has been undertaken to characterise the service user groups served by the voluntary sector mental health services in Britain. In view of the high reported cases of dissatisfaction with the statutory mental health services in the population of Caribbean origin in Britain, we sought to compare the male service users attending a voluntary sector service in Brixton, South London with those attending a service run by the mental health hospital for that catchment area. The service users and their case workers were interviewed and their case notes reviewed to obtain demographic information such as employment and forensic history and contact with other services.They were assessed using the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) and the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN)
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