ACT is designed to deliver mental health services that are person-centered and individualized to address each person’s needs.
Rest assured that ACT is an evidence-based practice that has been studied for several decades.
It has likely been offered to you for specific reasons.
The goal is to improve functioning and help people in their communities and out of inpatient treatment.
What Is Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)?
The simple definition of assertive community treatment is an intensive, integrated approach to community mental health service delivery.
The mission of ACT is to help people become independent and integrate into the community as they experience recovery.
Secondary goals include reducing homelessness and unnecessary hospital stays.
ACT aims to reduce this reliance on hospitals by providing round-the-clock services to the people who need it most.
History of Assertive Community Treatment
How did assertive community treatment get its start?
When it was first introduced, assertive community treatment was considered a radical approach.
However, findings for other outcomes are less clear.
A 2019 study found that assertive community treatment significantly improved contact with treatment services.
At the same time, isn’t staying in the community the goal of all mental health initiatives?
Bond GR, Drake RE.The critical ingredients of assertive community treatment.World Psychiatry.
2010;(10):CD007906.
2010;37(5):417426. doi:10.1007/s10488-009-0257-4
