No abstract

This psychiatric epidemiology study following the Mount St. Helens volcanic disaster revealed a significant morbidity for psychiatric disorders. The increased prevalence showed a dose response pattern in three population groups. The findings are reported as relative and attributable risk for the two exposed populations as compared to a control group. Patterns of significant risk are presented for sex, age, and for victims with pre-existing physical illness. The research utilized a new criteria-based interview schedule for the identification of psychiatric disorders. The methodology is reviewed in the context of the controversies and assumptions within the field of behavioral response to disaster stress. There are important implications for public health planning and intervention.

Recent advances in the care of the chronically mentally ill in the community have resulted in a "community support system" approach to maintaining chronically mentally ill persons outside the hospital. Yet, very little is known of what a community support system actually is for the chronic mental patient. This paper looks at three different sorts of community support programs and compares a sample of patients within them with respect to network variables, role performance, and demographic variables. Implications regarding the use of network oriented approaches are discussed and directions for further research are explored.

Matched groups of schizophrenic patients in Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., were compared approximately 1 year following discharge from an index hospitalization. Whereas Vancouver boasts a rich network of accessible private services and a public mental health system that provides a model of care for the chronically mentally ill, Portland's aftercare facilities at the time of the study were limited. One year after discharge the Vancouver cohort experienced fewer readmissions, was more apt to be employed, and reported a higher level of well-being, all of which suggest that community aftercare positively affects the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.