Benefits of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program

In the realm of dealing with mental health issues for individuals and within the community, there is no better model than the Assertive Community Treatment program, or ACT. This model of integrating those suffering from mental disorders has brought real and organized treatment to thousands of individuals over the past 36 years.

ACT, also known in some areas as PACT (Program for Assertive Community Treatment), FACT (Florida Assertive Community Treatment), and CSP (Community Support Programs) was first developed by Dr Arnold Marx, Dr. Leonard Stein, and Dr. Mary Ann Test in Madison, WI. Their research began in the 1960's and in 1972 after the rampant release of patients from the hospitals in the greatest period of deinstitutionalization in America, their efforts were put into practice.

This model is known and renowned world-wide for its system of personalized treatment and ability to incorporate those suffering from medium to severe mental conditions into the community at large. Known as a "service-delivery" model, they provide comprehensive and complete care to patients in team effort of specialists all working together in the same organization, instead of scattered and mishap as other early treatment models had been.

There are several benefits to the ACT program and it is being used as far abroad as Australia and England. Why is the ACT so recognized and what is it doing that no others had done before?

1. They are a primary provider and all-inclusive, with teams of specialists including psychiatrists, nurses, social workers and more. Outside referrals are held to a minimum.

2. Service is 24/7. They do not close for the day and they do not take days off.

3. Office visits are not necessary. Team members work outside the office whenever needed.

4. Plans are based on the individual.

5. Services are long-term. Because the patients they deal with may never fully recover and may always have problems in integration and a need for assistance, they have service for life.

6. Vocational rehabilitation is a major theme and goal of ACT. They seek to place all clients in employment or work for the community.

7. Educational services are provided to both clients and their families to help them deal with the situations as they come and teach them how it is possible to deal with or overcome their disorders.

8. A focus on integration into the community is at the forefront of the program. This not only benefits the client, but the community as a whole. The client is not locked down, and becomes an active and productive member of society.

9. Health care and educational services are provided to clients.

10. The ACT teams are extremely assertive and they don't let clients slide and become inactive or burdens to the community at large.

This has been one of the most successful treatment programs in U.S. and world history. The ACT program has only grown and received greater and greater accolades since its inception in 1972.