CMHC emergency services in the 1980's: effects of funding changes.

Community mental health centers have been faced with the challenge of survival in the wake of funding changes. The authors investigated the impact of these changes on the delivery of emergency services. The results indicated some notable trends including abolishing catchment areas and centralizing emergency services. Additionally, changes in staffing patterns were found, including both an overall decrease in staff providing crisis services and an increase in staff from disciplines eligible for third party reimbursement. Factors that may have influenced these trends are discussed.