Community Treatment Orders for People with Serious Mental Illness: A New Zealand Study
Gibbs, Anita; Dawson, John; Mullen, Richard
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Cite this item:
Gibbs, A., Dawson, J., & Mullen, R. (2005). Community Treatment Orders for People with Serious Mental Illness: A New Zealand Study. British Journal of Social Work, 36(7), 1085–1100.
Permanent link to OUR Archive version:
http://hdl.handle.net/10523/6572
Abstract:
New Zealand legislation allows for the involuntary outpatient treatment of people with serious mental illness. This study examines the views of service users, family members and mental health professionals (MHPs) about the impact of this regime. Semi-structured interviews were completed with forty-two service users, twenty-seven family members and ninety MHPs, with recent experience of the regime. Participants were asked to comment on the functions of community treatment (or non-resident) orders, their benefits and restrictions, decisions about their termination and any impact on relationships. Most service users believed the main purpose of the order was to ensure they took medication. They also believed the order provided better access to other treatments, supported accommodation and care from MHPs. Families considered the orders provided relief for them and a supportive structure for their relative’s care. MHPs found the orders useful for engaging service users in a continuing therapeutic relationship, and for promoting treatment adherence. In each group, a majority of those interviewed viewed involuntary community treatment in a generally positive light, while acknowledging the restrictions imposed on service users’ freedom.
Date:
2005
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Pages:
1085-1100
ISSN:
1468-263X
Rights Statement:
© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.
Keywords:
community treatment orders; outpatient commitment; mental health; sevice user; coercion; New Zealand
Research Type:
Journal Article
Languages:
English
Collections
- Sociology, Gender and Social Work [227]
- Journal Article [792]
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