Critique of Falloon and the Optimal Treatment Project.

The Optimal Treatment Project advocated by Falloon has been demonstrated through the scientific research literature to be efficient and effective treatment strategies for people experiencing severe mental illness. For this reason, there is little critique of this approach. While the potential value of the project is acknowledged, it is important to identify the appropriateness of the model for specific services and to understand comprehensively the resources necessary for successful implementation. The aim of this paper is to review the literature in relation to the Optimal Treatment Project with a view to exploring the complexities associated with the model. It is concluded that the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including consumers of mental health services, should become an essential element of any implementation strategy.