The Mental Health Matrix : A Manual to Improve Services

This book is a manual for the evidence-based direction of services towards increased clinical effectiveness. A unique model is described through which a better understanding of mental health services can be developed. The model's wide-ranging practical applications in the diagnosis of service strengths and weaknesses are fully detailed.

There have been major changes to mental health services internationally in recent years revolving around the concept of care in the community. Although speed of change and precise service mechanisms differ between countries there is nevertheless increasingly widespread consensus on key components essential to adequate care provision. This in turn provides an opportunity to develop a widely acceptable model framework to direct future developments. There is certainly still room for reform in recognition of specific needs and improvements in treatment and care intervention. This book proposes a simple model which can be used as a guide to increased clinical effectiveness through focused evidence-based reform. Using a time/space framework, it is intended to act as a practical aid to diagnosis of strengths and weaknesses in services that will be used by care providers, trainees and planners both at local and higher levels.