Could the enlargement of the range of the Social Psychiatrie Service (S.P.D.) via integrated co-operation from professional and nonprofessional helpers (among them socalled 'cohelpers', institutional as well as indigenous ones), be esteemed as a significant pursuit. This question is worked out by following the decision-making process in a SPD-team, in addition to which the following four stages are distinguished:
—During a team case-discussion the possibility of involving a volunteer in the treatment is proposed. Supporters as well as opponents were evident.
—A team management-discussion devoted to the theme 'expansion of the social psychiatric service' raises a few dilemmas.
—After this interchange of thoughts, the individual team members once again turn to self-reflection with the help of a series of questions, and orientation in litterature. Exchange of one another's findings gives sight upon a few tendencies in one's inner development as mental healthworker, in the own institution and in mental health care in genera].
—Weighing up of pro's and con's, working on a few dilemmas and reflecting upon basic thoughts, leads to the team decision of co-operation with volunteers in a number of concrete situations.
—When a team makes the deliberated choice for co-operation it occurs on the basis of a mutual support towards a positive attitude to this innovation, beside orientation in litterature, practice and research.