Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Supportive housing for the chronically homeless with HIV/AIDS: an effective model
- Author:
- PRADASANI P Manoj
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services, 4(1), 2005, pp.23-38.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article examines an innovative supportive housing program for chronically homeless individuals with HIV/AIDS. A Better Place (ABP). a supportive housing program in New York City that provides housing and social services to HIV-positive individuals with multiple diagnoses (mental illness, mental retardation, developmental disability and/or chemical addictions), is offered as an example of an effective and economical model of service that aims to break the cycle of homelessness by providing comprehensive preventative care with positive long-term results. The structure and functioning of the program, along with two case summaries, are described in order to provide a service framework for practitioners engaged in this field of service. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Health services utilization between older and younger homeless adults
- Authors:
- NAKONEZNY Paul A., OJEDA Michael
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 45(2), April 2005, pp.249-254.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This American study examineed the relationship between health services utilization delivered by means of the Homeless Outreach Medical Services (HOMES) programme and health services utilization delivered by means of the Parkland emergency room and inpatient units among a sample of older and younger homeless adults being served by the Parkland Health and Hospital System. The HOMES programme uses two 40-ft-long mobile medical units and a fixed-site outpatient clinic to provide primary health care on a walk-in, no-charge basis to individuals who are homeless. A quasi-experimental design was used, and health services utilization data was randomly selected from 293 male and 288 female homeless patients from among the 14,876 homeless patients aged 20–64 years who used HOMES and the Parkland Health and Hospital System between June 1, 1992, and June 30, 1999. The dependent variables were measurements of inpatient and outpatient utilization of psychiatric, substance abuse, and musculoskeletal services by homeless patients. Inpatient and outpatient utilization patterns by age were assessed. Results found older homeless individuals utilized the HOMES more than inpatient services for substance abuse and musculoskeletal conditions, but they utilized inpatient services the most for psychiatric-related conditions. The authors conclude this level of inpatient utilization is perhaps a result of greater severity or progression of mental illness among older homeless adults. The level of outpatient utilization is probably because the HOMES program mitigates many of the barriers that prevent homeless individuals from obtaining primary medical care.
Anti-discriminatory practice in mental health care for older people
- Editors:
- LANE Pauline, TRIBE Rachel
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 360
- Place of publication:
- London
Exploring the key issues around anti-discriminatory practice for professionals working in mental health services, this book looks at ways to improve the health and social care of older people from minority and excluded communities. The chapters explore the issues involved in working with individuals from a range of minority groups, such as LGBT people, people with learning disabilities, people from black and minority ethnic communities, homeless people and people with dementia. The chapters cover important theory and research into discrimination, ageing and identity. Contributions from experts in the fields of mental health and working with minority groups provide practical insights into developing anti-discriminatory practice. There is also practical advice on culturally appropriate support for carers, cultural competency in end of life care, working with interpreters, and celebrating diversity, accompanied by supporting practical resources. (Edited publisher abstract)
Making it better: improving the health of young homeless people
- Author:
- ASTRA ZENECA, DEPAUL UK
- Publisher:
- Depaul UK
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 61p.
- Place of publication:
- London
An estimated 80,000 young people experience homelessness in the UK each year. In addition, there is a growing number of hidden homeless living in poor quality hostels or on a friend’s sofa. The aim of this research was to explore the health issues of these young people. More than 380 young people aged 16-25 years participated in the study. Multiple methods were used including: a health questionnaire completed by 130 homeless young people from Depaul UK services and by a control group of 200 young people; 4 focus groups and 26 individual interviews with young people; and peer research using a group of young homeless people trained in research skills. The findings show that young homeless people have difficult and overlapping needs with mental health, substance abuse and physical health issues. They access certain health services more (such as admission to hospital) and report higher levels of health needs (such as depression and drug use) than their peers. However, young homeless people do not consider health and health-related issues to be priority for them; other issues such as the need for housing and employment are more pressing. The barriers to quality health care for these young people are discussed. Recommendations are made for policy makers, Health and Wellbeing Boards, commissioners, and for the work of the Depaul/AstraZeneca charity partnership.
Mental health and homelessness: planning and delivering mental health services for homeless people
- Author:
- NHS CONFEDERATION. Mental Health Network
- Publisher:
- NHS Confederation. Mental Health Network
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 8p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Around 70% of people accessing homelessness services have a mental health problem. St Mungo’s homelessness charity has estimated that 64% of their clients have drug and/or alcohol problems. Although the causes of homelessness are complex, mental ill health is a major contributing factor. Becoming homeless can worsen existing conditions or cause a mental health problem to occur. This Briefing sets out the policy context around tackling homelessness and addressing the mental health needs of homeless people. It also examines what considerations need to be made when planning, designing and delivering mental health services for homeless people and highlights many examples of good practice. The report concludes that access to mental health services for homeless people can be improved through improving staff awareness and delivering services differently – including use of non-clinical settings – plus through effective joint working with partner agencies.
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.
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.
Assessing health care needs among street homeless and transitionally housed adults
- Authors:
- BARRETT Blake, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 37(3), May 2011, pp.338-350.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In 2009, there was an estimated 9,566 homeless people in Hillsborough County, FL. This article reports on the results of a survey conducted by the lead agency responsible for coordinating homeless services in Hillsborough. The survey aimed to examine the health care needs and receipt of health services of street and transitionally housed homeless persons in the county. In March-May 2008, a total of 823 homeless individuals were interviewed in street-based locations, shelters, drop-in centres, and meal sites using a comprehensive survey. The participants reported extensive lifetime and current needs for physical and behavioural health care services. More than a third (37.2%) reported having a physical or mental disability that impaired everyday activities. The majority reported a need for dental (60.2%) and eye (54.2%) care. More than a quarter (27.0%) reported an HIV diagnosis. In addition, nearly a half of the sample (49.1%) reported having being diagnosed with a mental or emotional problem, and a third (33.4%) reported currently having a substance abuse problem. The study provides evidence of the wide prevalence of health service needs, the lack of health services received, the accordant gap in unmet medical treatment, and the primary utilisation of costly and acute sources of care among homeless persons.
Down and out?: the final report of St Mungo's Call 4 evidence: mental health and street homelessness
- Author:
- ST. MUNGO'S
- Publisher:
- St. Mungo's
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 63p.
- Place of publication:
- London
More than 90 submissions were received following the Call for Evidence. These came from a range of sectors: mental health organisations, homeless agencies, individual service users and healthcare professionals, local authorities, campaigning groups, Primary Care Trusts, community groups, government departments and other organisations. Oral hearings were also held. This report analyses and reports on the material gathered. It summarises the nature of the mental health and homelessness problem, covering politics and policy, definition of mental illness, gaps in services, and social exclusion. It looks at health care and social care for homeless people, and discusses the recovery journey and the way forward. It includes recommendations, and brief illustrations of good working. The Chief Executive of St Mungo's notes that the report sets out a case for reform, using a range of evidence gathered to "highlight the inadequacy of the current system of treatment, care and support" to meet the mental health needs of homeless people.
Improving homeless Londoners' mental health
- Author:
- HOMELESS LINK
- Publisher:
- Homeless Link
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 10p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Homeless Link undertook qualitative research to inform a project to support 6 homelessness agencies to improve their responses to clients' mental health problems. The study involved interviews with staff and clients from 3 hostels: a generic project for women, a drug and alcohol specific project for young people, and a specific mental health hostel. This report, based on the research, aims to illustrate the issues that both the homeless and mental health sectors need to consider to create effective care pathways for homeless clients. It identifies 4 key challenges: improving communication and specialist knowledge, ensuring statutory support for the full range of clients' mental health needs, creating partnerships which will make homeless hostels places of well-being, and working successfully with GPs. It discusses the findings in each area, with illustrations from the interviews, and presents some suggested solutions.