RECOVERY

Homeless father and son
RECOVERY from mental illness is possible ... with safe and affordable housing and appropriate supports.

Affordable housing for the mentally ill

Since there is a shortage of affordable housing for the people with mental illness,the Government should expand the number of safe,affordable independent housing units in order make recovery possible.

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The Federal Government should increase the funding for provincial governments and non-profit groups to provide housing for the mentally ill.

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Homelessness Among Individuals With Psychotic Disorders

Hospitalized for the First Time:

Findings From the Suffolk County Mental Health Project


Daniel B. Herman,D.S.W.,Ezra S. Susser,M.D.,Dr.P.H.,Lina Jandorf,M.A.,

Janet Lavelle,M.S.W.,and Evelyn J. Bromet,Ph.D.

The experience of homelessness is distressingly common among people with severe mental disorders and is of critical concern for mentally ill individuals,their families,and the professionals who treat them. Nonetheless,several fundamental questions about homelessness in this population remain unanswered. This Study addresses these questions.

Objective: Although data suggest that homelessness among persons with severe mental disorders is both distressing and common,several important epidemiologic questions remain unanswered. This study reports on the occurrence of homelessness in a quasi-representative sample of persons newly hospitalized with psychotic disorders. The authors also compared rates of homelessness in different diagnostic groups and among groups with differing symptom profiles.

Conclusions: The high rate of homelessness observed must be viewed with profound concern by clinicians,consumers,and policymakers alike. The findings support the importance of intervening early in the course of disorder,particularly for persons diagnosed with psychotic illnesses. (more …)

(Am J Psychiatry 1998;155:109–113)