Psychiatric rehabilitation. An open-network orientation.

Objective: To discuss the difficulties encountered in providing rehabilitation to multi-problematic clients, and possible remedies.

Method: The principles of psychiatric rehabilitation are outlined in the frame of the bio-psycho-social model and in the light of long-term follow-up studies. The limits of professional services and the importance of natural networks for successful rehabilitation and social adjustment are highlighted.

Results: Worker cooperatives and consumer self-help associations seem to successfully complement health and social services in meeting the complex needs of this population.

Conclusions: The integration of formal and informal networks of care is a major challenge and a relatively neglected, but important area of interest in contemporary psychiatric rehabilitation.