Medical, Nonmedical, or Antimedical Models for Mental Health Centers?
FRANK M. DU MAS PH.D.1
1 Psychologist in private practice in Augusta, Ga.
The trend toward community treatment of mental patients outside of institutions has resulted in changing concepts of mental health care. The author analyzes three models for mental health centers—medical, nonmedical, and antimedical—and suggests that a multistage transition through these models may occur, ending in a heterogeneous compromise. He predicts a returning emphasis on the medical model as the nonmedical mental health professions reach maturity.
