Inpatient Mental Health: What Helps/Hinders the Transition into Communities?

The transition period is the most vulnerable period for patients transitioning from inpatient units to community settings (Coleman, Pincus, Epstein & Ofedahl, 2015). Patients with mental illness have unique needs and vulnerabilities, therefore increasing the need for improved coordinated transitional discharge plans (Coleman et al., 2015). The purpose of this study was to explore the transition experience of patients 18 years of age who transitioned into the community from an inpatient mental health unit. This study sought to understand the patients experience of present discharge models from a qualitative perspective. This study addressed a knowledge gap by exploring the consumer survivors voice. Expectations, the environment, level of planning and emotional and physical well-being were all important factors explored that helped and hindered the successful re-integration of patients living with mental illness into the community.