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“Nuts, schiz, psycho”: an exploration of young homeless people's perceptions and dilemmas of defining mental health
- Authors:
- O'REILLY Michelle, TAYLOR Helen C., VOSTANIS Panos
- Journal article citation:
- Social Science and Medicine, 68(9), May 2009, pp.1737-1744.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This research explores the term ‘mental health’ as articulated by a group of young people living in homeless shelters utilising staff in a mental health service. This mental health service was offered in 5 large geographical areas (urban, semi-urban and rural) in England to 18 homeless shelters and we interviewed 25 homeless young people, 5 Mental Health Coordinators and 12 homeless shelter staff. Using discourse analysis of semi-structured interviews, the ideological dilemmas presented by the young people were investigated. They report negative and stigmatising descriptions of mental health despite their involvement with a mental health service. Four key interpretative repertoires are identified; denial of problems, mental health as negative, the need to talk, and challenging prejudice. It is concluded that the term ‘mental health’, which appears in the title of the service (of which they are clients), presents barriers for usage but works to challenge prejudice and educate young people. Discussion of the implications of naming services and the importance of shared meanings are considered.
Interprofessional perspectives on transitional mental health services for young people aged 16-19 years
- Authors:
- RICHARDS Maxine, VOSTANIS Panos
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interprofessional Care, 18(2), May 2004, pp.115-128.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This qualitative study investigated the need for transitional mental health services for young people aged 16 - 19 years in a health district, as perceived by professionals from mental health, social, education and non-statutory services. Semi-structured interviews with 39 managers and practitioners who planned or provided services for this age range, from a wide range of agencies, explored issues related to older adolescents' needs, service communication, transfer arrangements, current gaps, and recommendations. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and themes emerged according to grounded theory. The four identified themes, with 21 categories, were: older adolescents have multi-faceted needs; statutory mental health services are not geared towards this age group; communication between services is variable; and there are no formal transfer arrangements from child to adult services. The findings support the need for specialist transitional services, and the adoption of an interprofessional service model incorporating education, social services and non-statutory agencies.
Organisational issues facing a voluntary sector mental health service for homeless young people
- Authors:
- TAYLOR Helen, STUTTAFORD Maria, VOSTANIS Panos
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 15(1), February 2007, pp.37-47.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The voluntary sector has an important role to play in the provision of services for people with mental health needs of lessor severity, thus complementing statutory services, as suggested by recent national policy. This article describes such a service for young homeless people, and discusses the perceptions of key stakeholders of the benefits and challenges of such a service. The service largely met the mental health needs of young people who would not have easily accessed statutory mental health services, and who fulfilled the criteria (low/moderate need) of the service. Challenges for the future include the different organisational cultures, the professional isolation of the mental health practitioners and the lack of operational and commissioning links with statutory mental health services.
A UK survey on how homeless shelters respond to the mental health needs of homeless young people
- Authors:
- TAYLOR Helen, STUTTAFORD Maria, VOSTANIS Panos
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 9(2), October 2006, pp.13-18.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Research and national policies have highlighted that accommodation providers need to offer holistic interventions to encourage young homeless people with mental health needs to break the cycle of homelessness. In this study a postal questionnaire was sent to 132 managers of the Foyer Federations homeless shelters in the UK, achieving a response rate of 64.4%. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were calculated, and written data was analysed using content analysis. Mental health problems were prevalent, and homeless shelters responded in a variety of ways (use of GP services, internal services, referring to external services, in-house outreach services, no service provision, etc). Only 27% of managers of homeless shelters reported that their services were sufficient to meet their young people's needs. These findings reflect the need for inclusion of mental health in homeless shelters' strategic objectives, and development of commissioning of local partnerships with health agencies.
Homeless children: problems and needs
- Editors:
- VOSTANIS Panos, CUMELLA Stuart
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 202p.,bibliog
- Place of publication:
- London
Defines the specific problems and needs of homeless children, and draws up practical guidelines for staff and agencies on recognising and dealing with those problems. Goes on to look at policy and service development for homeless families in education, health and social care; and concludes that conventional methods of provision have to be adapted to meet the specific needs of this vulnerable group. Includes chapters on: child mental health problems; parenting issues; homeless young people; effects of changes in housing legislation; the impact of health and social services; education and the homeless child; family homelessness in the USA; and access to voluntary sector agencies.