Abstract

• The purpose of this study was to investigate the residents' opinions about community mental health in the Taegu-Kyungpuk area for the future development of a community mental health program and model appropriate for Korea, Yhe subjects were 152 residents in the Taegu-Kyungpuk area. In July 1999, the data was collected using a convenience sample technique. Mental health status was significantly different for the level of occupational advantage(x2=15.684, p<.05) and physical health(x2=39.262, p<.000). Factor structure for mental health problems with the percentage of variance was as follows: optimistic view(27.581). dark view(10.758). mastery(6.200), discomfiture(6.101) and life style(5.641). Most of the respondents(92.1%) took the mental health problems seriously. The serious aspects of the mental health problem were found to be epilepsy, mental retardation, neurosis and schizophrenia respectively. Concerning about the view of community mental health, most of the respondents answered that the a C.M.H.C. was 'useful and urgent' concering the need for C.M.H.(77.6%). They answered positively on the utilization of C.M.H.C(75.7%) and preferred the separately new community mental health center. A psychiatrist was preferred as the key person in charge(44.1%). If community mental health centers were established in a community health center, they answered that the expected major problem would be quality control of care(44.7%). They preferred the psychiatrist's office as the recommended agency for the insane(44.7%). Opinions of the asylum system were found very negative in respect to psychiatric therapy and humanitarianism. The results of this study will help establish a relevant model for this community as the primary site for a community-based mental health model.
• Keywords: Community-based mental health; community mental health care

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