THE PROPOSAL to add community psychiatry to the ever-widening list of psychiatric specialties deserves a critical examination. Thus, my purpose in this paper is fourfold. First, I intend to examine the nature of community psychiatry as it is taking shape. Second, I want to consider our continuing uncertainty about mental illness which is manifested in a widening of its definition. Third, I discuss some of the historical landmarks and cultural forces that have brought about the proposal for this new subspecialty of psychiatry. Finally, I examine some of its hidden aspects with respect to the future role of psychiatry.
Community Psychiatry: The Newest Subspecialty.—Let us begin by examining the nature of community psychiatry that is apparently emerging as judged by a mounting chorus of voices from those who jump on any bandwagon as long as it is moving. In doing this I will