Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Mental health outreach to persons who are homeless: implications for practice from a Statewide study
- Authors:
- ROWE Michael, STYRON Thomas, DAVID Daryn H.
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 52(1), 2016, pp.56-65.
- Publisher:
- Springer
In order to help states establish best practice standards for mental health outreach and engagement teams for persons who are homeless, this study aimed to identify key functional elements needed to effectively address the multiple needs of these persons. A statewide survey across six representative outreach programmes was initiated in Connecticut, USA. Focus groups with staff and clients, interviews with programme administrators, shadowing of outreach workers on their rounds, and review of relevant written materials were conducted. Four main functional themes regarding optimal outreach work - constructive outreach team characteristics; availability of a wide range of services and resources for clients; navigation of multiple service systems; and favourable work demands and training opportunities - were identified through thematic analysis. The article concludes with recommendations for incorporating these four essential functional elements into mental health outreach and engagement practice to effectively meet the varied needs of the target group. (Edited publisher abstract)
The impact of the crisis on homelessness in Spain: social intervention in a context of greater need and fewer resources
- Authors:
- MARQUEZ Gorka Moreno, URRAZA Xabier Aierdi
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 19(1), 2016, pp.31-45.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The purpose of this article is to deepen the understanding of the impact of the social and economic crisis on homeless people in Spain. To this end we present the results of research carried out prior to the crisis and later updated in the midst of the economic recession, underscoring the main results obtained in both periods and tracing their evolution. The number of homeless people in Spain has risen as a result of the crisis. Moreover, while some characteristics of this group remain the same, others have changed. Hence, difficulties in access to the labour market and cuts in certain economic benefits are resulting in an increase in the duration of social inclusion processes. This results in a worsening of the personal situation of the homeless, especially in relation to mental illness and substance abuse. The immigrant population is the group most affected by these impacts. The situation clearly demonstrates the need to reflect on how to deal with the problem of homelessness in Spain, and to rethink the way professionals intervene, especially during periods of economic recession. (Publisher abstract)
Previous homelessness as a risk factor for recovery from serious mental illnesses
- Authors:
- CASTELLOW Jennifer, KLOOS Bret, TOWNLEY Greg
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 51(6), 2015, pp.674-684.
- Publisher:
- Springer
This paper argues that the experience of homelessness is inherently traumatic and thus has the potential to affect the manifestation of mental illness. The experiences related to being homeless might act as specific and unique sources of vulnerability. This study included 424 people diagnosed with serious mental illnesses living in supported housing programmes in South Carolina. Three hierarchical regression analyses measuring the impact of homelessness on three types of outcomes revealed the following: (1) ever experiencing homelessness as well as the amount of time spent homeless were related to higher levels of psychiatric distress, (2) ever experiencing homelessness was related to higher levels of reported alcohol use, and (3) total amount of time spent homeless was related to lower perceived recovery from mental illness. These findings suggest that experiencing homelessness might contribute to psychosocial vulnerability to negative mental health outcomes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental health, permanent housing, and peer support through community living in the Fairweather Lodge: implementation through collaboration
- Authors:
- BERMINGHAM Charles, MANLICK Christopher F., LIU William Ming
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 18(1), 2015, pp.26-30.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explain the history of the Fairweather Lodge Program, its utility, the development of one programme in a small Midwestern city, the role of psychology, and the importance of disseminating information about the programme to combat homelessness. Design/methodology/approach:This paper takes a short case study approach to describing the evolution of a peer support-based housing programme for individuals with serious mental illness and a history of homelessness. Findings: The Fairweather Lodge facilitates peer support, community engagement, stable housing, and work engagement in those struggling with mental illness and homelessness. Originality/value: The Fairweather Lodge Program is a programme intended to support the mental health and employment needs of individuals with severe mental illness who are at increased risk of homelessness. Housing alone often does not address the complex needs of chronically homeless individuals. (Edited publisher abstract)
Our lives: challenging attitudes to poverty in 2015
- Authors:
- ZIPFEL Tricia, et al
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 36
Drawing on the personal stories of people living on very low incomes, this report highlights the reality of poverty in 2015 and the impact it has on many families. It aims to update the report 'Our towns', published in 1943, which documented the problems of urban poverty in the in 1940s. The personal stories featured in the current report cover the day-to-day struggles of individuals, aspirations for their children and themselves, and highlights their capacity for resilience. Individuals stories cover going hungry and using food banks; difficulties negotiating the benefits system; complex lives; the impact of the care system and domestic abuse; homeless; mental health; disability; and insecurity and employment. At the end of each cluster of stories the report includes summary information about the issues the stories raised for the individuals and the researchers. The report then compares the situation today with poverty experienced in 1940s. Differences identified include the growth of in-work poverty and generally higher living standards in 2015. Despite these obvious differences the report identifies many parallels between the 1943 report and today, with people in poverty are often coping with complex lives. Both reports acknowledge the significant impact of poverty on mental health and wellbeing. The final section sets out a call for action to tackle poverty and social deprivation. (Original abstract)
An unstable start: all babies count: spotlight on homelessness
- Authors:
- HOGG Sally, et al
- Publisher:
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 40
- Place of publication:
- London
This report looks at what is known about babies whose parents are homeless, setting out the impact on babies who don't have a supportive, affordable, decent and secure place to live. It includes recommendations for government to help ensure that babies affected by homelessness get the best start in life. The report shows that babies living in homeless families can be extremely vulnerable. Babies' development is reliant on the quality of the care their parents are able to provide but for some parents who are homeless, providing this care can be difficult. Homelessness means lacking a supportive, affordable, decent and secure place to live. Parents who are homeless are often themselves amongst the most vulnerable in society, bringing with them histories of trauma and loss. Homelessness can affect parents' ability to meet what babies need for a healthy and safe start in life. It can impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of pregnant women because of the stresses associated with housing instability and because it is harder to adopt a healthy lifestyle in such circumstances. Stress can also make it more difficult for parents to provide their babies with sensitive, responsive and consistent emotional care. A baby's physical development can also be affected. Many types of homeless accommodation lack the important safety, cleanliness and facilities babies need in order to thrive. Homelessness often means that families do not receive the formal and informal support they need. The report makes a series of recommendations, focusing on prioritisation of the needs of babies and their parents, service and policy integration, and supporting stability for families. (Edited publisher abstract)
The interplay of rural issues, mental illness, substance use and housing problems
- Authors:
- JONES Rebecca, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 23(6), 2014, pp.317-322.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
People with mental health and substance use problems form a significant subgroup of the homeless population. Using a qualitative framework, this study examines the experiences of people with mental illness and/or substance use issues, experiencing significant housing problems in rural areas. Individual interviews were conducted with 40 respondents in Australia. Themes generated a discussion around three main areas; (1) current housing problems, (2) pathways into unsuitable housing, and (3) factors contributing to appropriate accommodation. The study highlights the need for agency staff to identify and assist with the housing issues of their clients. (Edited publisher abstract)
Activating people to address their health care needs: learning from people with lived experience of chronic illness
- Authors:
- STANHOPE Victoria, HENWOOD Benjamin F.
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 50(6), 2014, pp.656-663.
- Publisher:
- Springer
One of the primary goals of health care reform is improving the quality and reducing the costs of care for people with co-morbid mental health and physical health conditions. One strategy is to integrate primary and behavioural health care through care coordination and patient activation. This qualitative study using community based participatory research methods informs the development of integrated care by presenting the perspectives of those with lived experience of chronic illnesses and homelessness. Themes presented include the internal and external barriers to addressing health needs and the key role of peer support in overcoming these barriers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Developing community support for homeless people with mental illness in transition
- Author:
- CHEN Fang-pei
- Journal article citation:
- Community Mental Health Journal, 50(5), 2014, pp.520-530.
- Publisher:
- Springer
To facilitate effective transitional services and enhance continuity of care among people with mental illness, this grounded theory study explored the practice of developing community support in critical time intervention (CTI), a time-limited, shortterm psychosocial rehabilitation program designed to facilitate the critical transition from institutional to community settings. Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with twelve CTI workers were analyzed. Results show that CTI workers self-identified as an “extra support” to develop community ties that will help clients sustain stable housing. Their practice of community support development was represented by a transient triangular relationship model, involving three dyadic relationships (worker-client, worker-primary support, primary support-client) as the building blocks and specific strategies to facilitate the relational transition. Findings also detailed identification of community supports, collaboration and boundary issues in working with primary supports, and engagement with clients in this transitional process. Recommendations were drawn from findings to enhance broad discharge and transitional services. (Publisher abstract)
Putting the parity into service-user participation: an integrated model of social justice
- Authors:
- DAVIES Kate, GRAY Mel, WEBB Stephen A.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 23(2), 2014, pp.119-127.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Models of service-user participation have derived from citizenship or consumerist agendas, neither of which has achieved the structural reforms important for the most marginalised social work clients. This article proposes Fraser's model of ‘parity of participation’ as an appropriately multifaceted frame for capturing the social justice aspirations of service-user participation. A qualitative case study compared the experiences and expectations of people who had used Australian mental health services with a sample who had used Australian homelessness services to examine their expectations of participation at individual and representative levels. The findings reinforce concerns from Fraser's research about the tendency for identity-based consumerist notions of participation to reify group identity. This leads to tokenistic service-user involvement strategies that have little impact on participation at a structural level. Fraser's parity of participation is shown to have untested potential to reshape service-user participation to meet the social justice aspirations of social work clients. (Publisher abstract)