Innovation in deinstitutionalization: A WHO expert survey

To better understand this vexing issue, 78 mental health experts representing 42 countries were surveyed on the relative usefulness of different methods to expand community-based mental health services, and/or to downsize institution-based care. Results indicate that there are several successful paths to deinstitutionalization. Most respondents emphasized—directly or indirectly—the importance of political skill and timing.