Although England/Wales, Italy, and the United States share a common
policy of deinstitutionalization, their mental health systems differ
considerably. Each country's civil commitment standards define patient
eligibility criteria along one of two primary dimensions--need for
treatment or degree of dangerousness. These differential selection criteria
result in mental health systems serving different subgroups of the total
population. The criteria in England/Wales target older women; in the United
States, younger men; and in Italy, a group balanced in age and sex.
Implications for the current debate on civil commitment policies are
considered.
Abstract Teaser