Originally published in 1985, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of mental health policy and practice in the USA during the latter part of the 20th Century by focussing on 3 main themes: political-economic structures, the pitfalls of professionalism and institutional obstacles to adequate care.

Phil Brown is Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies at Brown University, USA.

Part 1: The Crisis in Mental Health Care and the Formation of National Mental Health Policy 1. Current Problems and General Progress in Mental Health Care 2. Formulating a National Mental Health Policy Part 2: The Changing Structure and Organization of the Mental Health System 3. The Neotraditional Public Sector: Community Mental Health Centers 4. The Traditional Public Sector: State Mental Hospitals 5. The New Custodial Private Sector: Nursing Homes, Boarding Homes and Other Locations 6. The New Alliance of Public and Private Sectors: Private Mental Hospitals and General Hospital Psychiatric Units Part 3: Social Aspects of Mental Health Practices 7. Effects of Deinstitutionalization on Public Attitudes and on the Work Force 8. Psychoactive Drugs, Psychotechnology, and the New Biologism 9. Antipsychiatry and Mental Patients' Rights - Their Impact on Mental Health Care Part 4: Conclusion 10. Future Directions in Mental Health Care.