Purpose: To describe outcomes of clients with serious mental illnesses who used regional public mental health services; and what the public mental health system did well or needed to change to better satisfy clients' needs.
Methods: A modal case study analysis method was used with 15 clients. Participants were interviewed three times.
Findings: Participants reported dissatisfaction with their social functioning and general health, and unmet needs for case management services, social/recreational activities, and vocational rehabilitation.
Conclusions: The case study method is an effective way for nurses to evaluate public mental health systems and to determine areas for system intervention.