Service problems and solutions for individuals with mental retardation and metal illness

Journal of Rehabilitation, Jan-March, 2003 by Jill L. VanderSchie-Bezyak

In order to continue the trend of providing effective services to individuals with dual diagnosis, there are several guidelines that communities must consider when developing a comprehensive and collaborative service plan. Initially professionals must be willing to put forth the necessary time and effort in the development of a program. Putting into practice values centered on community integration and system collaboration can be a time consuming process (Menolascino, 1994). Secondly, professionals involved must be willing to serve all individuals regardless of the level of mental retardation and the extent of the psychiatric disability (Menolascino, 1994). A program designed to serve individuals that easily fall through the cracks of the system cannot be selective when choosing clientele. In addition, there must be a consensus among professionals in the community that there is a need for a comprehensive service program. Once a general consensus is established, the community must provide cross-system access by employing staff who are experienced and respected by both the mental health and mental retardation systems (Davidson et al., 1999). Using an interdisciplinary approach promotes this cross-system access, along with development of multiple interventions that may be beneficial for individuals with dual diagnosis. Finally, effective service provisions for individuals with dual diagnosis must be community-based because that is where most resources for this population are found (Davidson et al., 1999). By following these guidelines and the examples of programs already in place, individuals with dual diagnosis can begin to receive specialized services by qualified professionals, rather than falling through the cracks of both the mental health and mental retardation systems.

References

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Davidson, P.W., Morris, D., & Cain, N.N. (1999). Community services for people with developmental disabilities and psychiatric or severe behavior disorders. In N. Bouras (Ed.), Psychiatric and behavioral disorders in developmental dis abilities and mental retardation (pp. 359-372). New York: Cambridge University Press.

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Fletcher, R.J. (1988). A county systems model: Comprehnesive services for the dually diagnosed. In J.A. Stark, F.J. Menolascino, M.H. Albarelli, & V.C. Gray (Eds.), Mental retardation and mental health: Classification, diagnosis, treatment, services (pp. 254-264). New York: Springer.