Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Nowhere else to go: increasing choice and control within supported housing for homeless people with mental health problems
- Authors:
- FLEISCHMANN Pete, WIGMORE Jon
- Publisher:
- Single Homeless Project
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 53p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report is the result of twenty one to one interviews and three focus groups with homeless people with experience of mental health problems. It includes their views about preventing homelessness, keyworking, user involvement, care planning and gives an insight into users perceptions of mental health crisis. Included in the report is a ready to use crisis card designed to give users more control at the time of crisis and to raise awareness of each individual's right to respect and fair treatment.
Surviving versus living life: capabilities and service use among adults with mental health problems and histories of homelessness
- Authors:
- KERMAN Nick, SYLVESTRE John
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 28(2), 2020, pp.414-422.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The capabilities approach is a framework that can be applied to marginalised populations, including people with mental health problems and histories of homelessness, to measure well‐being. Although a range of health and social services exist to address the many challenges associated with mental health problems and homelessness, the extent to which these services impact capabilities is unknown. This qualitative study explored the perspectives of people with mental health problems and histories of homelessness to understand how they perceived their service use as affecting their capabilities. In‐depth interviews were conducted over a 1‐year period beginning in October 2016 with 52 adults with mental health problems who were currently or formerly homeless and living in Ottawa, Canada. Data were analysed using first and second cycle coding, which involved line‐by‐line, descriptive coding followed by focused coding to categorise the data within a broadly applied capabilities framework. Findings showed that participants perceived many capability impairments in their lives, including nutritious food scarcities, limited material rights, social role deprivations, social isolation and insufficient income to participate in recreational activities. Services used by participants had mixed, for better and worse, and limited effects on their capabilities (e.g., unable to overcome affordable housing shortages or financial barriers associated with some capability impairments). Furthermore, service use could promote one capability while hindering another, forcing people to choose between competing needs when using services. Overall, the capabilities approach offers a comprehensive, human rights‐based framework that is relevant to people with mental health problems and histories of homelessness but the services used by this population primarily help people to survive life but not necessarily live life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Perceptions of service use among currently and formerly homeless adults with mental health problems
- Authors:
- KERMAN Nick, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 55(5), 2019, pp.777-783.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This qualitative study used in-depth interviews to examine the service experiences of 52 currently and formerly homeless people with mental health problems. Thematic analysis identified five themes associated with positive and negative service experiences: (1) accessibility of services, (2) humanity in approach to care, (3) perceptions and relationships with other service users, (4) physical space and environment, and (5) outcomes of service use. Overall, minimal differences were found between currently and formerly homeless people with mental health problems, suggesting that both groups have the same wants and needs related to service use, including to be treated fairly and without judgment, receive needed support and assistance, and feel good following their service experience. However, both groups also described encountering barriers to accessing programs and navigating service systems; using services where they felt judged, unsafe, or uncared for; and having unmet needs following service use. (Edited publisher abstract)
Interconnections among homelessness, family separation, and mental health: implications for multi-sectoral social services
- Authors:
- SHAIKH Arshi, RAWAL Hiren
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Service Research, 45(4), 2019, pp.543-557.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This qualitative study explored the interconnections among the phenomena of homelessness, family separation, and mental health and substance abuse issues within the social services, geographic, and infrastructure context of northern Ontario. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen participants. Findings revealed the effects of colonization in the form of poor and overcrowded housing conditions in the northern First Nations, difficulties in obtaining affordable and suitable housing in northern towns and cities, reliance on the scarce social services for survival, and valiant attempts to cope with the cold climate of northern Ontario. All participants reported multiple and intergenerational experiences of separation from family due to involvement of child welfare system, placement in residential schools, death of family member(s), flooding, and epidemics. Participants described their lifelong struggles with mental health and substance abuse issues. All three phenomena were tied together in various configurations of causes and consequences. The implications include the need for critical examination of the historical policies and practices, early intervention for mental health and substance abuse issues, greater support for youth transitioning out of care, creation of a continuum of housing options, collaboration across multiple social services sectors, and incorporation of Indigenous worldview and practices in the mainstream services. (Edited publisher abstract)
The mental health needs of Nottingham's homeless population: an exploratory research study. Final report
- Authors:
- REEVE Kesia, et al
- Publisher:
- Sheffield Hallam University. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 146
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
The final report from a research project to better understand the mental health needs of Nottingham's homeless population. The study comprised four overlapping phases: an analysis of primary research and secondary sources to profile the mental health needs of Nottingham's homeless population; in-depth interviews with homeless people with mental ill health; interviews with local stakeholders to explore professionals' experiences; and a review of good practice initiatives in the UK. The report considers some of the triggers and underlying causes of homelessness; the links between mental health, homelessness, and other support needs, including drug and alcohol abuse; patterns of service user and engagement; homeless people's experience of mental health services; and barriers to meeting the mental health needs of the homeless population. The report finds that 'homeless people with mental ill health' can be described as a population with multiple and complex needs. It concludes that despite some positive initiatives, the needs of homeless people with mental ill health are not currently being met in Nottingham. Issues included the accessibility of services, very few current services targeted at people with complex needs, and lack of supply and appropriateness of supported accommodation for homeless people with mental health issues. It highlights the need to consider homeless people as a specific group in the development of mental health commissioning strategy and in service delivery across sectors. The report also makes a series of recommendations. (Edited publisher abstract)
Stop the scandal: the case for action on mental health and rough sleeping
- Author:
- ST. MUNGO'S
- Publisher:
- St. Mungo's
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 36
- Place of publication:
- London
Drawing on evidence from people with a history of rough sleeping and from services and commissioners across England, this report makes the case for developing effective specialist homeless mental health services for rough sleepers. A total of 248 Freedom of Information requests were sent to local authorities and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in areas known to have 10 or more people sleeping rough each night. The results found that over two thirds (68 per cent) of these areas fail to commission specialist mental health services. The data found that specialist mental health services for people sleeping rough were more often commissioned by CCGs than local authorities, and that level and type of service varied. Examples of services identified are included. In-depth interviews conducted with 21 people with a history of rough sleeping and mental health problems found that existing mental health problems were made much worse by sleeping rough, and that rough sleeping also made it more difficult to access mental health services. Five principles are identified to inform how services working with people sleeping rough with a mental health problem should be delivered. These are for services to be: accessible, attentive, understanding, caring and persistent. The report makes recommendations for people delivering services, national and local government, commissioners and health professionals. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental health and housing
- Author:
- SAVAGE Jonny
- Publisher:
- Mental Health Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 47
- Place of publication:
- London
This study considers how different types of supported accommodation meet the needs of people with mental health problems. It focuses on five approaches to providing supported accommodation, including: Care Support Plus – High Level; integrated support; homelessness; complex needs; low-level step down; and later life. Through semi-structured interviews the study has drawn on the expertise of people living and working in these services across England, and presents their views of both building and service related issues. The report makes several recommendations in relation to the quality of supported accommodation, the need for co-production in the design and development, the need to invest in the recruitment and continuous professional development of staff, the development of and support of staff to understand an implement the approaches articulated in polices and finally the need to put resources into ensuring that appropriate accommodation is available and provided to those in need, including people with mental health problems. (Edited publisher abstract)
Rebuilding lives: mental health matters
- Authors:
- CRANE Maureen, JOLY Louise, MANTHORPE Jill
- Publisher:
- King's College London. Social Care Workforce Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 5
- Place of publication:
- London
Focusing on the participants’ mental health problems, this briefing summarises the findings of the Rebuilding Lives study, which examined the experiences and outcomes for formerly homeless people five years after they were resettled. The study revealed that health problems were common among the participants, and the percentage who reported these problems increased slightly after they were resettled. Some participants had mental health problems that were severe and disabling, and affected their ability to manage independent living and move forward with their lives. For some people, mental health problems were triggered or exacerbated when they faced stressful events after being resettled, or when they tried to resolve or come to terms with past traumas and difficulties. One-third of participants with mental health problems identified help or treatment that they needed but were not receiving. (Edited publisher abstract)
Substance abuse recovery after experiencing homelessness and mental illness: case studies of change over time
- Authors:
- HENWOOD Benjamin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 8(31), July 2012, pp.238-246.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The authors examined how consumers with dual diagnosis who were formerly homeless, but now living in supportive housing, understand their recovery from substance abuse or dependence. Their aims were to discover what can be learned about substance misuse recovery from consumers considered to be doing well, how past substance abuse fits into their present-day narratives, and how policies of harm reduction versus abstinence are considered to affect recovery efforts. As part of a federally funded study in New York, 38 individuals (84% male, mean age 51 years) who met criteria for having achieved a measure of success in mental health recovery were purposively sampled from two supportive housing agencies; one using harm reduction and the other an abstinence model. In-depth interviews and case study analysis were used to focus on substance abuse recovery in the larger context of participants’ lives. Recovery from substance abuse was depicted as occurring either through discrete decisions or gradual processes; achieving recovery was distinct from maintaining recovery. Themes related to achievement included: pivotal events and people; maturation; institutionalisation. Central themes to maintaining recovery were: housing; self-help; the influence of significant others. These findings revealed a complex picture of overcoming substance abuse that largely took place outside formal treatment and was heavily dependent on broader contexts.
Someone there to talk to
- Authors:
- VASILLOU Christina, RYRIE Iain
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, October 2006, pp.23-26.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
The Mental Health Foundation and Centrepoint recently conducted a joint study of homelessness and mental health among 16-25 year olds in London. This article reports key findings specific to the young people's emotional support needs. The study interviewed staff from 123 randomly selected services working in the field of housing and youth homelessness across all 32 London boroughs, plus the Corporation of the City of London. The majority of services felt they were not fully meeting the needs of more vulnerable clients such as lesbian, gay and bisexual groups; asylum seekers and refugees; care leavers; and drug and alcohol users. Staff also contacted their clients, and 59 young people participated in the study. The young people described problems with accessing support and welfare services at every level. Emotion support was an important need expressed by those interviewed. The article also includes a description of START, a multi-disciplinary community mental health team for single homeless people which uses assertive outreach techniques to engage homeless people aged 18 years and over who have mental health problems but are not engaged with mental health services.