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The homeless mentally ill and community-based care: changing a mindset
1Hunter College School of Social Work, New York, New York 10021.
Community Mental Health Journal
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Community-based care for individuals with severe mental illness, especially those experiencing homelessness, is complex. This article examines challenges and proposes a framework for improved rehabilitative services.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Social Work
- Public Health
Background:
- Increasing attention on severe, persistent, and disabling mental illness over the past decade.
- Heightened visibility of individuals with psychiatric disorders experiencing homelessness.
- Complex needs of homeless individuals with mental illness challenge existing community services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss issues and assumptions hindering comprehensive community-based care for homeless individuals with serious mental disorders.
- To present a framework for reconceptualizing clients, services, and their interactions.
- To foster the development of adequate rehabilitative services.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of existing community-based care models.
- Examination of barriers and facilitators in service provision.
- Development of a conceptual framework for service delivery.
Main Results:
- Current community services (shelters, outreach, drop-in centers) offer basic necessities but lack comprehensive rehabilitative support.
- Significant challenges exist in providing adequate and appropriate care.
- A need for a reconceptualized approach to integrate services and client needs.
Conclusions:
- No perfect community-based system currently exists for this population.
- A new framework is proposed to improve the development and provision of comprehensive care.
- Addressing the complex needs requires a multifaceted and integrated approach.