[Between asylym and shelter: Points of reference.]

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Social Psychiatry
• Public Health Policy

Context:

• The increasing prevalence of homelessness over the past thirty years.
• A significant shift in mental health care from institutionalization to community-based approaches, often resulting in homelessness.
• The psychosocial impact of homelessness, characterized by a loss of power and freedom.

Purpose:

• To highlight the growing significance of homelessness within the mental health discourse.
• To analyze the socio-historical context of mental health and its relationship with homelessness.
• To propose practical frameworks for developing mental health services tailored to the needs of the homeless population.

Summary:

• This article examines the evolving role of homelessness in mental health debates over three decades.
• It details the transition from institutional confinement to homelessness as a primary concern in mental health.
• The paper introduces a psychosocial perspective, viewing homelessness as a state of powerlessness and lack of freedom.
• Three key areas for service development are outlined: emergency social intervention, sustained support for living conditions, and fostering social participation.

Impact:

• Informing mental health policy and practice regarding the homeless population.
• Providing a framework for developing more effective and humane interventions for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Enhancing the understanding of the complex interplay between mental health, social determinants, and housing instability.