What is an assertive community treatment?

Assertive community treatment (ACT) is a community approach to mental health services, which was first founded in the United States at the end of the 60s. The assertive program for the treatment of community provides 24 -hour continuous care to individuals who have serious mental illnesses. Unlike the traditional approach to management of cases in which the client must autonomically seek help from various office service providers, the assertive community the treatment team meets the needs of the client's mental health in the community environment or the client's home. This model takes continuous care of clients whenever you need help.

This approach to treatment is an interdisciplinary model of service provision. ASSERTIVE Team for Community Treatment may include social workers, advisors, nurses, psychiatrists, experts in the rehabilitation of professional rehabilitation or other mental health experts. The services offered by the medical team are to be complex, from mental health evaluation and counselingin the treatment of abuse of addictive substances or employment. The assertive approach for the treatment of community seeks to improve the overall functioning of the target population, minimize the social impact of mental illness in the local community, and to provide adapted long -term services that meet the basic needs of individuals who have serious mental illnesses.

Assertive approach of community treatment is considered evidence based on evidence and clinically effective model for the treatment of serious mental diseases. It is often used in people who have bipolar disorder or psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, especially those that are also affected by abuse of addictive substances, legal problems or homelessness. These individuals who could move from those who are in their late adolescents to elderly, may not help effectively previous interactions with the traditional Outpatnemment service. ACT team uses proactThe iva and supportive model aimed at helping integrate the affected individual back into everyday functioning as a productive community. Support for interdisciplinary team reduces the negative impact of mental illness on the family of an individual client and the overall community.

Since 2010, an assertive approach for community treatment has been used in the United States, Canada and England. In the US, the ACT program is operated by local or regional entities, but must correspond to the principles and standards of the National Mental Disease Alliance (Nami). Program names may vary, including assertive community treatment, assertive community treatment program, community support programs or mobile treatment teams. Information on regional placing programs of assertive community medical programs in the United States can be obtained from NAMI.