Discuss The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Deinstitutionalization

The final wave of deinstitutionalization was in 1989 with a mental health policy that was made up of five directives: make the individual the prime consideration, enhance the quality of services, distribute resources equitably that are based on needs, look for solutions in the patient’s customary environment and form a strong partnership between the individual, public resources and resources in the individual’s environment (The History of Madness in Canada, 2009).
Deinstitutionalization has some advantage and disadvantages. One of the advantages of deinstitutionalization it that patients are able to develop more meaningful lives by being involved with activities of their choice without the constraints of the hospital. Individuals are able to develop relationships with non-psychiatric people, socialize in areas of their interest (Leff, 2001) and expand their community which in turn gives the individual a sense of belonging. One such area could be being involved in activities in their culture or religion such as church.
Another advantage is that the individual is able to gain employment that in turn will provide additional income, purpose and further opportunities for social interactions,
One drawback is that individuals have more freedom to explore the people and places around them and this may exposed to them to “psychoactive substances and to social pressures to use them” (Drake and Muserer, 2000). With drug use unhealthy and dangerous lifestyles may begin to surface and dire consequences such as homelessness, conflict with the law and individual may stop taking their medication causing the negative symptoms of the mental illness to arise causing additional problems such as no self care, and being “left unprotected from the dangers of the street” (Drake and Muserer, 2000). For some females they may become victims of crime, forced into sex trade and exposed to higher rates of sexually transmitted