Psych (Jun 2023)

The Contribution of Society of Social Psychiatry P. Sakellaropoulos to the Psychiatric Reform in Rural Greece

  • Harilaos Papachristou,
  • Iliana Lazogiorgou-Kousta,
  • Vasilis Chronopoulos,
  • Athena Fragouli-Sakellaropoulou

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/psych5020033
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 2
pp. 497 – 507

Abstract

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The present paper aims to describe the structure, function, and goals of two of the oldest Mobile Mental Health Units in Greece, namely, the Mobile Mental Health Unit in Fokida (MMHU-F) and the Mobile Mental Health Unit in Thrace (Alexandroupolis, MMHU-T). Information about their historical background, catchment areas, and current staffing, as well as the services provided by each MMHU is discussed. The focus of the paper is slightly biased towards the MMHU-F because it is the only available mental health service in the whole Fokida prefecture. The major goals of the MMHUs are the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of relapse of severe mental illness within the community. Other important goals of the MMHUs are psychoeducation, psychological support for the family/caregivers, as well as vocational training and support for patients with severe mental illness. Statistical data depicting the demographic characteristics and diagnostic profiles of patients in each MMHU is also provided, and the differences between the two MMHUs are briefly discussed.

Keywords