Search Results

SUMMARYThe author sets forth some reflections on the present state of mental health services in the Montreal Region, concerning himself primarily with the problems encountered in the application of the theoretical model underlying the existing services, that being community psychiatry. These problems are of three orders: the distribution of establishments and the geographic distribution of the population do not correspond; because of the liberation of many psychotics a backlash is starting to make itself felt in the population, and chronic patients have become immigrants in the city; the multidisciplinary «earns are experiencing difficulties in working with this large and demanding clientele, and also in defining the limits to teir interventive capacity, with what that entails.

AbstractIn this article, the author offers a critique of a social resource, the Foster Home (Famille d'Accueil),and how it is presently organized in Québec, following a study of the topic during a trip to Montréal in May 1987. As is the case most of the time, resorting to foster homes is based on no objective other than an economic one, that of providing lodging to a beneficiary. The many dysfunctions of such a practice have for long been denounced, yet we have hardly dealt with the specificity of this formula which is somewhere between the social and therapeutic spec-trums. Even then, the system should allow for the integration of emotional or social aspects that normally emerge in a family. Quebec's institutional framework omits this specificity, a phenomenon amplified by accepted practices in mental health that do not encourage working in groups. What lies behind the resource we call foster homes?

AbstractEarly pregnancies in Haitian teenagers entails crisis situations within many families in addition to questioning and involving many professionals of various fields. This subject is addressed in a transcultural context with reference to Haitian biculturalism both in Haiti and abroad. In this article, the author examines more specifically the situation of Haitians within Quebec society. Analysis of the parents' attitude of both cultural group, the western as well as creole, constitutes a light of mediation regarding help and support or psychotherapeutic intervention. In the Haitian community, problems of cultural identity on one side, and lack of affiliation to family on the other, are at the basis of conflicts between parents and children. The author concludes with proposals aiming at improving interventions with these families in their process of migratory adaptation.

AbstractTranscultural psychiatry appears to be a precious tool to help us reflect on our ways of doing and thinking in complex clinical situations. This paper presents three concepts associated with the practice of transcultural psychiatry: continuity, multiplicity and articulation of different spaces. “The variable geometry frame” elaborated by Moro underlines the importance of mobility and dynamism of clinical work. The analysis of a specific clinical situation shows us how transcultural psychiatry can help us navigate better in complex clinical situations. We propose the concept of “culturally sensitive child psychiatry” to describe our way of integrating culture in clinical practice.

ABSTRACTThis article proposes an in-depth look at certain clinical aspects that have been dealt with by a crisis centre based at a general hospital that is located in a popular district of Brussels. Following a brief history of the Saint-Pierre hospital, which allows the author to touch on the hospitality dimension of taking charge of psychosocial crises, the article focuses on recurrent crises (and their corollary, multiple hospitalizations) and analyzes their psychodynamic and institutional perspectives. The author then approaches the institutional framework as a stage where the different critical phases of the patient come into play. Supported by clinical examples, the author also examines the functions of recurrent crises with respect to the patient's emotional make-up and to his or her extensive hesitation when faced with "change". Finally, the author points out the advantages and disadvantages of the indispensable link with mobile intervenors.

AbstractProsecution of psychiatric patients: elements of reflections and practical applications Among possible solutions in response to violent behaviours of psychiatric patients, prosecution might not be an alternative as well-known. This measure may be potentially beneficial for patients. How can prosecution be chosen as an option when faced with violent patients? When this option is considered, how should it be applied and what are the different steps to follow? To answer these questions, it appeared essential to first proceed to a comprehensive reflection on the recourse of sanction in psychiatry. We then describe advantages and disadvantages of the judicial process. Finally, we illustrate applications as they were conceived and elaborated at the Clinique de dangerosité de l'Institut Philippe Pinel de Montréal.

SUMMARYThe author, in collaboration with a group of colleagues is in the process of perfecting a new psycho therapeutic approach called Spontaneous Body Experiencing, The author works from the body without a preconceived notion of man. Rather he creates enabling conditions for the revelation of body secrets, for life to once again become a process, to express itself according to its own laws. Jie then sets forth the concepts basic to his approach such as touch which is viewed simply as a presence for the other; spontaneous body experiencing in which he describes his method as well as the resultant physical manifestations; the organismic process seen as a series of events linked to one and other and progressively involving the total organism in the form of movements having certain characteristics such as in voluntarism, their uniqueness from one individual to another, and their progressive globalization; the body-memory or energetic structure which is restrained movement. The author concludes with a description of the beneficial effects of this new therapeutic approach.

SUMMARYThis article suggests that the solution to treating schizophrenia can only be found in an institution. The author reaches this conclusion after pointing out the disastrous effects on patients of a poorly-understood liberating theory and the misguided emphasis on social skills and readaptation at the expense of patient care. The author uses his vast knowledge acquired in clinical work to discuss his argument and lay out the conditions needed to make institutional treatments possible.