Public Psychiatry and Public Health Mental Systems

The development of public psychiatry and public mental health systems historically have revolved around three main periods: the rise of the asylums, the decline of asylums, and the reform of public mental health systems through new treatments and a new care philosophy. This article presents the most important shifts that shaped public psychiatry during each historical period. The major reforms of the past two decades will also be discussed, with particular focus on some countries as examples of the latest developments in public psychiatry and public mental health systems.