The Least Restrictive Option / A driving force in the Development of Community Psychiatry

Abstract

Here we argue that the development of community psychiatry across a number of nations of Europe is due to the present availability of effective treatments for mental illness, and an increased knowledge of how the brain responds through its plasticity, to both mental illness and its treatment. Furthermore, the development of community psychiatry is the result of the development of an increased understanding of and respect for human rights within the countries of Europe. We describe the system of community psychiatry at present functioning in the UK. As a philosophy of care, community psychiatry can only be justified if we take into account the need to respect the rights of the individual and the need therefore to use the least restrictive (but effective) option in delivering mental health care.