Observations of mental health care programmes for schizophrenic patients in Toronto

Extract

Toronto is a large multicultural society with a metropolitan population of several million people. It is mainly English-speaking, although it contains Portuguese, Chinese, Italian and other communities. Although similar in population to the larger industrial cities of the United Kingdom, and despite a common language, there are important cultural differences which are relevant when assessing treatment programmes. In particular, in contrast to the urban decay, high unemployment rates, and increasing number of elderly residents prevalent in UK cities, Toronto is a young, thriving city with a low unemployment rate and affluent population. There is a low crime rate, little evidence of vandalism, but ample evidence of an advanced structure, e.g. public transport, play schemes etc. Accommodation is, however, expensive and mainly in private ownership.