The new role of the clinical psychologist in a community mental health center

Abstract

As comprehensive community mental health centers begin to proliferate nationwide under the impetus of the Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963, it is imperative that the roles and functions of its staff members be redefined to meet the new demands that will be placed upon them by the community. These include participation in new programs concerned with welfare, education, rehabilitation, gerontology, and positive aspects of mental health and mental retardation. Several new roles for clinical psychologists in a community mental health setting are suggested; also a distinction is made between community mental health center psychologists and community psychologists. The roles that are cited are applicable to all mental health professionals and others who offer mental health services to the community.

Serious mental illness—Psychology’s call to action: If not us, who? If not now, when?

“…There is no mention of SMI in Miller’s 1946 seminal article on the training needs of clinical psychologists for the Veterans Administration. Rosenblum (1968) notes that in the early training conferences which established a curriculum for clinical psychologist doctoral programs in the 50s and 60s, there was discussion of the role of clinical psychologists in community mental health programs but few formal recommendations were made. Prior to 1970, there were only four articles published in the American Psychologist that used the word schizophrenia in their titles.…”

Toward a social-community psychology

“…Various authors demonstrate that the development of political, administrative, organizational, and community mobilization skills is indispensable at this level (Bindman, 1966;Freed, 1967;Rosenblum, 1968;Rothman, 1974;Spaner, 1970).…”

“…Such a variety of roles is essential for institutional or community intervention, since interventions at this level imply interventions at the other levels as well. Various authors demonstrate that the development of political, administrative, organizational, and community mobilization skills is indispensable at this level (Bindman, 1966;Freed, 1967;Rosenblum, 1968;Rothman, 1974;Spaner, 1970).…”