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Homelessness and Mental Illness: A Literature Review and a Qualitative Study of Perceptions of the Adequacy of Care

Author

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  • Kamaldeep Bhui

    (Institute of Community Health Sciences, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London; Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and The London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ. k.s.bhui@qmul.ac.uk)

  • Lisa Shanahan

    (Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London.)

  • Geoff Harding

    (Institute of Community Health Sciences, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London.)

Abstract

Background: Homelessness and mental illness together confer significant morbidity and mortality because of physical health problems. Healthcare provision is undergoing significant review, and, as part of the Department of Health's policy reforms, the service user's view is central to the future restructuring of NHS services. Material: A literature review of homeless service users' perceptions of services for homeless mentally ill people was supplemented by a qualitative in-depth survey of 10 homeless people. This article reports on their views about the services they receive. Mismatch between expectations and provision, disputes with healthcare providers, dissatisfaction with the degree to which they have choice in their care, and suspicions about the intentions of health professionals demonstrate the extent to which powerlessness and social exclusion are replicated in healthcare economies. The inadequacy of hostels and their staff are also emphasised, with some recommendations for services. Discussion and conclusions: There are few data on homeless people's perceptions of services for mental health problems. Homeless people have strong views about the adequacy of services to meet their needs. They were particularly concerned about stigma, prejudice and the inadequacy and complexity of services that they have to use. This article reports their recommendations for change.

Suggested Citation

  • Kamaldeep Bhui & Lisa Shanahan & Geoff Harding, 2006. "Homelessness and Mental Illness: A Literature Review and a Qualitative Study of Perceptions of the Adequacy of Care," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 52(2), pages 152-165, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:52:y:2006:i:2:p:152-165
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764006062096
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walid Abdul Hamid & Til Wykes & Stephen Stansfeld, 1993. "The Homeless Mentally Ill: Myths and Realities," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 39(4), pages 237-254, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Tyrer & Agne Balod & Arunas Germanavicius & Andrew McDonald & Mythili Varadan & Jacqui Thomas, 2007. "Perceptions of Assertive Community Treatment in the UK and Lithuania," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 53(6), pages 498-506, November.
    2. repec:mpr:mprres:6375 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Feng-Hang Chang & Christine A. Helfrich & Wendy J. Coster & E. Sally Rogers, 2015. "Factors Associated with Community Participation among Individuals Who Have Experienced Homelessness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-15, September.
    4. O'Reilly, Michelle & Taylor, Helen C. & Vostanis, Panos, 2009. ""Nuts, schiz, psycho": An exploration of young homeless people's perceptions and dilemmas of defining mental health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(9), pages 1737-1744, May.
    5. Jacqueline Kauff & Elizabeth Clary & Julia Lyskawa, "undated". "An Evaluation of SOAR: The Implementation and Outcomes of an Effort to Increase Access to SSI and SSDI," Mathematica Policy Research Reports c3d9cd951dbf484994fac60a4, Mathematica Policy Research.
    6. Iván Sánchez-Iglesias, 2023. "The “Why” in Mental Health, Stigma, and Addictive Behaviors: Causal Inferences in Applied Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-7, October.
    7. Mejia-Lancheros, Cilia & Lachaud, James & Woodhall-Melnik, Julia & O'Campo, Patricia & Hwang, Stephen W. & Stergiopoulos, Vicky, 2021. "Longitudinal interrelationships of mental health discrimination and stigma with housing and well-being outcomes in adults with mental illness and recent experience of homelessness," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    8. Jacqueline Kauff & Jonathan Brown & Norma Altshuler & Noelle Denny-Brown & Emily Sama Martin, "undated". "Findings from a Study of the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) Initiative," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 52d74a2c7c5947e58ddad7022, Mathematica Policy Research.

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