Just a little history...

Due to the fact that I am enmeshed in my current disability research project, I thought I would use this as an opportunity to report on the history of the use of mental health services and the disabled community. Numerous research has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of counseling and therapy. Psychology and the use of mental health services have been used to improve the quality of life of individuals for many years. Consumer Reports did a survey in 1995 on the use of mental health services and if they were at all effective in changing people's outlook and mental well being. Those who utilized treatment reported that there was an improvement and those who underwent long term treatment reported even fewer symptoms than those in short term therapy. Now what does this mean to the disabled community? While information is readily availabe concerning the use of mental health services to the general population, quite the opposite is true regarding individuals with disabilites.

Historically, psychology has not focused on physical disabilites. Most reserach is based on the use of rehabiitation services and not mental health services. A pioneer of rehabilitation medicine, Dr. H.A. Rusk, wrote in 1958 that it was his belief that at least 50% of adults with physical disabilities whould be in need of psychological services. However, there is a belief amount rehabilitation counselors that psychological issues are not related to the process of rehabilitation. Fordyce(1964) conducted research that showed quite the contrary. His research showed that psychological factors in spinal cord injury patients had an effect on the healing process.

In 1984, The American Psychological Association's office of Social and Ethical Responsibility was aware of the need for mental health services for individuals with physical disabilites. The office challenged mental health professionals to work in the disabled community to aid individuals in achieving goals regardless of community barriers and aid in helping client in adapting to their disabilities. In 1985 Pelletier, Rogers and Dellario stated that the concern that individuals with physical disabilites are not receiving appropriate psychological services should draw the attention of counseling psychologists. The profession of counseling psychology is based on providing services to diverse populations in various settings. The primary focus is on adjustment and personality issues. Yet counseling psychological research has not focused on issues related to individuals with disabilities.

In view of all of this information, I have been very interested in becoming more educated on issues concerning the disabled community. I also believe that mental health professionals need to educate one another. Currently I am involved in a research project that I hope will do just that. I am learning so much through many connections with individuals with disabilites. I hope that my work now and when I began my professional career will end the trend of ignorance.

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