· 3 issues
The May 1969 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin focuses on the disorganization and inequities within mental health services in New York City, drawing parallels to the broader medical care marketplace. It critiques the reliance on private providers and the inadequacies of public mental health services, emphasizing the need for community involvement and control in mental health initiatives. The issue highlights the growing tension between city and state mental health agencies, particularly regarding funding and service delivery, and discusses the implications of proposed legislation aimed at restructuring mental health governance. Notable contributors include Robb Burlage and Barbara Ehrenreich, who address the systemic issues and advocate for a more equitable approach to mental health care.
The December 1969 issue of HealthPAC focuses on the struggle for community control over health services, particularly in the context of mental health facilities in New York City. It highlights the challenges faced by local residents, particularly Black and Puerto Rican communities in Washington Heights, against the established power of institutions like Columbia University and the Department of Mental Health. The issue critiques the top-down planning approach that often excludes community voices and emphasizes the need for grassroots involvement in decision-making processes. The editorial stresses that true community control is essential for addressing the social determinants of health and ensuring that services meet the actual needs of the community.
The May 1970 issue of HealthPAC Bulletin critiques the use of psychiatry and psychology as tools of social repression, particularly in the context of civil commitment laws and the treatment of dissenters. It highlights how these disciplines are employed to control individuals deemed 'deviant' by society, often obscuring the social roots of their issues. Notable articles discuss the implications of proposed changes to New York's mental hygiene laws, which could expand the state's power to involuntarily commit individuals, and the role of mental health professionals in perpetuating societal norms. The issue also reflects on the broader political climate of the time, including the Nixon administration's approach to dissent and the intersection of mental health with civil liberties.