Community-based care

Definition

Community-based care refers to the approach of providing mental health services and support to individuals with mental disorders within their own communities, rather than in institutional settings like psychiatric hospitals or asylums. This approach focuses on integrating individuals into society and promoting their independence.

Related terms

Deinstitutionalization: This term refers to the process of releasing patients from long-term psychiatric institutions and transitioning them into community-based care.

Psychiatric hospitals: These are traditional institutional settings where individuals with severe mental disorders used to be placed for treatment and long-term care.

Outpatient clinics: These are healthcare facilities that provide medical or psychological services to patients without requiring overnight stays. In the context of mental health, outpatient clinics often offer community-based care options.