This article presents a unique model of care for persons with mental
disabilities in Eastern and Central Europe which combines the infl uential
effects of the former Soviet system with selectively chosen components
of modern mental health policy and services. During Soviet times large
residential social care institutions took physical care of individuals with
mental disabilities while isolating them from the rest of society. These
institutions refl ected the ideological Soviet system of social assistance,
the principles of ‘defectology’, and the stigmatization of those with
mental disabilities. For two decades, this system has stubbornly resisted
attempts to promote change. Investments from the European Union
Structural Funds actually strengthened the positions of large residential
institutions over and above modern community care, and Institutional
culture and a tradition of exclusion remain strong.
This article presents a unique model of care for persons with mental
disabilities in Eastern and Central Europe which combines the infl uential
effects of the former Soviet system with selectively chosen components
of modern mental health policy and services. During Soviet times large
residential social care institutions took physical care of individuals with
mental disabilities while isolating them from the rest of society. These
institutions refl ected the ideological Soviet system of social assistance,
the principles of ‘defectology’, and the stigmatization of those with
mental disabilities. For two decades, this system has stubbornly resisted
attempts to promote change. Investments from the European Union
Structural Funds actually strengthened the positions of large residential
institutions over and above modern community care, and Institutional
culture and a tradition of exclusion remain strong.
This article presents a unique model of care for persons with mental
disabilities in Eastern and Central Europe which combines the infl uential
effects of the former Soviet system with selectively chosen components
of modern mental health policy and services. During Soviet times large
residential social care institutions took physical care of individuals with
mental disabilities while isolating them from the rest of society. These
institutions refl ected the ideological Soviet system of social assistance,
the principles of ‘defectology’, and the stigmatization of those with
mental disabilities. For two decades, this system has stubbornly resisted
attempts to promote change. Investments from the European Union
Structural Funds actually strengthened the positions of large residential
institutions over and above modern community care, and Institutional
culture and a tradition of exclusion remain strong.
This article presents a unique model of care for persons with mental
disabilities in Eastern and Central Europe which combines the infl uential
effects of the former Soviet system with selectively chosen components
of modern mental health policy and services. During Soviet times large
residential social care institutions took physical care of individuals with
mental disabilities while isolating them from the rest of society. These
institutions refl ected the ideological Soviet system of social assistance,
the principles of ‘defectology’, and the stigmatization of those with
mental disabilities. For two decades, this system has stubbornly resisted
attempts to promote change. Investments from the European Union
Structural Funds actually strengthened the positions of large residential
institutions over and above modern community care, and Institutional
culture and a tradition of exclusion remain strong.
This article presents a unique model of care for persons with mental
disabilities in Eastern and Central Europe which combines the infl uential
effects of the former Soviet system with selectively chosen components
of modern mental health policy and services. During Soviet times large
residential social care institutions took physical care of individuals with
mental disabilities while isolating them from the rest of society. These
institutions refl ected the ideological Soviet system of social assistance,
the principles of ‘defectology’, and the stigmatization of those with
mental disabilities. For two decades, this system has stubbornly resisted
attempts to promote change. Investments from the European Union
Structural Funds actually strengthened the positions of large residential
institutions over and above modern community care, and Institutional
culture and a tradition of exclusion remain strong.
This article presents a unique model of care for persons with mental
disabilities in Eastern and Central Europe which combines the infl uential
effects of the former Soviet system with selectively chosen components
of modern mental health policy and services. During Soviet times large
residential social care institutions took physical care of individuals with
mental disabilities while isolating them from the rest of society. These
institutions refl ected the ideological Soviet system of social assistance,
the principles of ‘defectology’, and the stigmatization of those with
mental disabilities. For two decades, this system has stubbornly resisted
attempts to promote change. Investments from the European Union
Structural Funds actually strengthened the positions of large residential
institutions over and above modern community care, and Institutional
culture and a tradition of exclusion remain strong.
Keywords
European Union Structural Funds
Soviet Union;
large residential social care institutions;
persons with mental disabilities
