Mental illness in the mentally retarded: challenges for social work.

A pressing need exists in social work for information concerning the types of mental illnesses encountered in community-based samples of the mentally retarded. These data are valuable in determining which types of social work treatment are effective with this population. This study examines the types and prevalence of mental disorders seen in a community-based sample of retarded citizens, and delineates the types of psychosocial strategies that were effective in treating these disorders. All of the individuals in this study were treated within a community health facility, thereby supporting ongoing social work contributions toward the normalization and commonly-based care of the retarded.