Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 11
Can home come first?
- Author:
- -
- Journal article citation:
- Connect, 44, 2011, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- Homeless Link
Housing First is a model developed in the US in 1992. Designed specifically for people with a diagnosed mental health problem, the model prioritises housing people housed in their own accommodation before focusing on other areas of their lives, such as substance misuse or unemployment. This article looks at how the approach works and whether it would work in the UK.
Supportive housing for addicted, incarcerated homeless adults
- Authors:
- HICKERT Audrey O., TAYLOR Mary Jane
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 37(2), March 2011, pp.136-151.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Homeless populations often suffer from mental illness, substance abuse, and criminality. Housing interventions have been effective in serving homeless persons with criminal experience, substance abuse issues, and mental illness. However, previous studies have noted the difficulty of working with this population and that success can be limited. This study examined outcomes for clients of a new supportive housing intervention. The Homeless Assistance Rental Program (HARP) provided supporting housing for homeless persons who were struggling with mental illness, in jail, in criminal justice programmes, in substance abuse programmes, or aging out of foster care. The sample for the study consisted of 102 individuals who participated in HARP at some point during its first 22 months of operation. Data was collected from 4 major sources: the Housing Authority; the Substance Abuse division; jail records; and the self-sufficiency matrix completed with HARP participants by their case managers. Use of formal treatment, jail contact, and community stability were compared pre- and post-housing. Jail bookings and residential substance abuse treatment significantly declined post-housing, while clients improved in income level, access to food, and housing stability. Results from official justice and treatment system data suggest that supportive housing can lead to significant changes.
Social determinants of health and health outcomes in men and fathers with mental health issues
- Authors:
- MONTGOMERY Phyllis, BROWN Stephanie A., FORCHUK Cheryl
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 9(1-6), 2011, pp.73-91.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article explores the health status of homeless men, particularly fathers, with mental health problems. Specifically, the study aimed to examine whether differences exist in social determinants of health and health outcomes between 3 groups of precariously housed men: fathers with young children; fathers with adult children; and non-fathers. The study involved a secondary analysis of data extracted from a larger project focusing on mental health and housing. The sample included 277 Canadian males with a history of psychiatric illness: 63 had children under the age of 18 years; 34 had children aged 18 years and over; and 178 were non-fathers. Yearly structured interview surveys collected data including psychiatric health status, housing status, social network, and health outcomes. Analysis showed that, although half of the fathers of younger children expressed a preference to parent, only 2 were parenting on a day-to-day basis. Compared with non-fathers, fathers were characteristically older, separated, unemployed, and homeless. Fathers reported poorer satisfaction with family relationships and greater struggles with substance misuse. Fathers of younger children had a higher rate of overall problem severity than fathers of adult children. The article concludes that fathers may require specialised supports to minimise the barriers to fulfil their desired role to parent.
Comparison of treatment response among GLB and non-GLB street-living youth
- Authors:
- GRAFSKY Erika L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 33(5), May 2011, pp.569-574.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Researchers have found that adolescents who identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) are at a higher risk for increased substance use and mental health symptoms. This study uses secondary analysis of two clinical trials for street-living youth to examine whether self-identification as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) acts as a moderator of treatment effects. It also examines whether street-living GLB youth respond differently to a therapeutic intervention than non-GLB street-living youth. Comparisons were made of treatment outcomes on two categories of variables (drug use and mental health symptoms) among 244 homeless GLB and non-GLB identified adolescents in Mexico. Overall, GLB and non-GLB adolescents showed similar reductions in drug use and mental health symptoms. However, compared to non-GLB adolescents, GLB adolescents showed greater improvement in reduction of drug use and internalizing and depressive symptom scores. While both groups reported less drug use and fewer mental health symptoms from baseline to post-intervention, GLB youth's scores improved more drastically. Implications of using the identified treatment intervention are discussed.
On the streets and refusing help
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 15.9.11, 2011, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The case of a women who sleeps rough in London and refuses help is described. She do not take drugs or abuse alcohol but may have undiagnosed mental health issues. Three College of Social Work representatives explain how they would respond to the case.
Substance misuse, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among a national sample of homeless
- Author:
- DIETZ Tracey L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 37(1), January 2011, pp.1-18.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article considers the relationship between alcohol and drug misuse and suicidality in homeless individuals. The study aimed to identify the relationship between the annual incidence of drug and alcohol misuse among a national probability sample of homeless individuals and self-reports of suicidal ideation and attempts, while at the same time considering the predictors of both drug and alcohol misuse and suicidal ideation and attempts. Data came from a national dataset, the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC), which was conducted in 1996 and includes data on 2,974 homeless people. A series of logistic models were tested to identify the predictors of annual incidence of alcohol and drug misuse problems. In particular, the study examined the relationship of alcohol and drug misuse to suicidal ideation and attempts over the previous year. Forty-four per cent of the respondents reported a current alcohol problem and 41% reported a current drug problem at the time of the survey. Sixteen per cent reported that they had experienced serious thoughts of suicide over the previous year, and 6% reported that they had attempted suicide. The study aims to support the development of prevention and treatment programmes designed to appropriately and effectively target suicidal ideation and attempts among homeless substance misusers.
Battered, broken, bereft: why people still end up sleeping rough
- Author:
- ST. MUNGO'S
- Publisher:
- St. Mungo's
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 14p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This short report examines how and why rough sleeping is increasing in England today. Taking evidence from the largest ever national survey of street outreach workers and the largest annual survey of rough sleepers, as well as personal testimonies from St Mungo’s clients, it paints a picture of people who are ill, alone and failed by public services. Outreach workers across England report increasing numbers of rough sleepers and most believed that there is not enough emergency accommodation available. The report looks at the changes in the rough sleeping population in terms of mental health problems, relationship breakdown, and domestic violence. Illustrative case studies are included. The opportunities to help each of these groups before they are forced onto the streets are discussed. The authors conclude that the Government must focus on those opportunities so that no one is left without help in their darkest hour. They suggest that service reform need not be costly; particularly if the right interventions reach people in time to prevent rough sleeping, from which the journey to recovery is much longer.
Simple but effective: local solutions for adults facing multiple deprivation: adults facing chronic exclusion evaluation: final report
- Authors:
- CATTELL Jack, et al
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Communities and Local Government
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 45p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The Adults facing Chronic Exclusion programme (ACE) tests new ways of working with excluded people who do not access services in the community because their lives are chaotic and their needs are too complex. The programme comprised 12 pilots across England which began in 2007. The pilots differed in terms of the characteristics of their clients, the intervention, the cost of the service, and their outcomes. They were tasked with helping clients access local services and benefits, supporting them with transition points in their lives, and changing the way in which local agencies responded to their needs. In all cases the interventions offered support from a consistent, trusted adult who could advocate between local services and service users. This report presents the findings of a 3-year evaluation of the ACE pilots. The evaluation looked at the following outcome measures: accommodation status; employment status; use of health services; receipt of benefits; offending and victimisation; and subjective health and well-being. The report concludes that the work of the pilots was effective and inexpensive. They were effective in bringing about better outcomes for the individuals, particularly in terms of health, and persuading local services to engage with the client group. Some of the pilots were highly replicable and half have received continuation funding locally. The lessons for public sector reform, particularly how to make services more flexible and collaborative, are discussed.
Adults facing chronic exclusion programme: evaluation findings: summary
- Authors:
- CATTELL Jack, et al
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Communities and Local Government
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 8p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The Adults facing Chronic Exclusion programme (ACE) tests new ways of working with excluded people who do not access services in the community because their lives are chaotic and their needs are too complex. The programme comprised 12 pilots across England which began in 2007. The pilots differed in terms of the characteristics of their clients, the intervention, the cost of the service, and their outcomes. They were tasked with helping clients access local services and benefits, supporting them with transition points in their lives, and changing the way in which local agencies responded to their needs. In all cases the interventions offered support from a consistent, trusted adult who could advocate between local services and service users. This report summary outlines the findings of a 3-year evaluation of the ACE pilots. The evaluation looked at different outcomes measures including: accommodation status; employment status; use of health services; receipt of benefits; and offending and victimisation. The report summary concludes that the pilots were effective in achieving positive housing, health and well-being outcomes with the clients. The pilots reduced the cost of healthcare, but the positive outcome of securing accommodation and benefits for homeless people resulted in an overall net cost. The pilots demonstrate that long term, positive, outcomes can be secured for this client group, and that these interventions are likely to be cost effective.
Exploring gender and sexual minority status among street-involved youth
- Authors:
- FREDERICK Tyler J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 6(2), June 2011, pp.166-183.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Young people on the streets experience a wide range of risks. This study examined both heterosexual and sexual minority street-involved young people across a number of sociodemographic, risk and current mental health, victimisation and delinquency measures with a focus on gender differences. Participants included 147 homeless and street-involved young men and women, aged 16 to 21 years, in Toronto, Canada. Findings indicated that many of the differences between the heterosexual and sexual minority youth were driven by differences among the young women. Analyses were then used to test for interactions between gender and sexual minority status alongside controls. The results suggest that gender, sexuality and street involvement interconnect to affect outcomes in more complex ways than are acknowledged by the notion of accumulating or multiplying disadvantage common in the literature. In conclusion, the authors discuss methods for gaining a better understanding of homeless young people with a focus on gender and sexuality.