scholarly journals Not All Who Wander are Lost: Fate of Homeless Persons with Mental Illness During COVID-19 Pandemic in North India—Case Series

Author(s):  
Agrawal Abhinav ◽  
Arun Priti ◽  
Bala Chandra ◽  
Gaga Jatwinder
2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402098419
Author(s):  
Kwamina Abekah-Carter ◽  
George Ofosu Oti

Background: Homelessness among people with mental illness has grown to become a common phenomenon in many developed and developing countries. Just like in any other country, the living conditions of homeless people with mental illness in Ghana are unwholesome. Despite the increased population of these vulnerable individuals on the streets, not much is known about the perspectives of the general public towards this phenomenon in Ghana. Aim: This research was conducted to explore the perspectives of community members on homeless people with mental illness. The main study objectives were (a) to find out the impacts of the presence of persons with mental illness on the streets and (b) to ascertain the reasons accounting for homelessness among persons with mental illness. Method: Utilizing a qualitative research design, twenty community members were sampled from selected suburbs in Nsawam and interviewed with the use of a semi-structured interview guide. The audio data gathered from the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Results: Majority of the participants asserted that homeless people with mental illness had no access to good food, shelter, and health care. They further stated that some homeless people with mental illness perpetrated physical and sexual violence against the residents. Moreover, the participants believed that persons with mental illness remained on the streets due to neglect by their family members, and limited access to psychiatric services. Conclusion: This paper concludes by recommending to government to make mental health services accessible and affordable to homeless persons with mental illness nationwide.


Author(s):  
Saba Syed ◽  
Michael Couse ◽  
Rashi Ojha

Background There is still a lot unknown about the novel Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) and its effects in humans. This pandemic has posed several challenging clinical situations to healthcare providers. Objective We hope to highlight the distinctive challenges that COVID-19 presents in patients with serious mental illness and what steps primary medical teams can take to co-manage these patients with the psychiatry consultants. Methods We present a retrospective chart review of four patients who were on psychotropic polypharmacy and admitted to our hospital from the same long-term psychiatric facility with COVID-19 delirium and other associated medical complications. Results We illustrate how the primary medical teams and psychiatrists collaborated in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and management. Conclusions Patients with serious mental illness and COVID-19 infection require active collaboration between primary medical teams and psychiatrists for diagnostic clarification, reduction of psychotropic polypharmacy to avoid adverse effects and drug-drug interactions, prevention of psychiatric decompensation, and active management of agitation while balancing staff and patient safety concerns.


2011 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 561-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin F. Henwood ◽  
Lara Carson Weinstein ◽  
Sam Tsemberis

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathryn Rodway ◽  
Sandra Flynn ◽  
David While ◽  
Mohammed S Rahman ◽  
Navneet Kapur ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 15-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
TIMOTHY S. CAREY ◽  
JOHN W. WILLIAMS ◽  
JOHN M. OLDHAM ◽  
FRANCINE GOODMAN ◽  
LEAH M. RANNEY ◽  
...  

1999 ◽  
Vol 174 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony F. Lehman ◽  
Lisa Dixon ◽  
Jeffrey S. Hoch ◽  
Bruce Deforge ◽  
Eimer Kernan ◽  
...  

BackgroundHomelessness is a major public health problem among persons with severe mental illness (SMI). Cost-effective programmes that address this problem are needed.AimsTo evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an assertive community treatment (ACT) programme for these persons in Baltimore, Maryland.MethodsA total of 152 homeless persons with SMI were randomly allocated to either ACT or usual services. Direct treatment costs and effectiveness, represented by days of stable housing, were assessed.ResultsCompared with usual care, ACT costs were significantly lower for mental health in-patient days and mental health emergency room care, and significantly higher for mental health out-patient visits and treatment for substance misuse. ACT patients spent 31% more days in stable housing than those receiving usual care. ACT and usual services incurred $242 and $415 respectively in direct treatment costs per day of stable housing, an efficiency ratio of 0. 58 in favour of ACT. Patterns of care and costs varied according to race.ConclusionACT provides a cost-effective approach to reducing homelessness among persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses.


2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (8) ◽  
pp. 726-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Grover ◽  
Nandita Hazari ◽  
Jitender Aneja ◽  
Subho Chakrabarti ◽  
Sunil Sharma ◽  
...  

Background and Aim: The goal of treatment in mental illness has evolved from a symptom-based approach to a personal recovery–based approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictors of personal recovery among patients with bipolar disorder. Methodology: A total of 185 patients with bipolar disorder, currently in remission, were evaluated on Recovery Assessment Scale (RAS), Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale (ISMIS), Brief Religious coping scale (RCOPE), Duke University Religiosity Index (DUREL), Religiousness Measures Scale, Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS), Young Mania rating scale (YMRS) and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Results: The mean age of the sample was 40.5 (standard deviation (SD), 11.26) years. Majority of the participants were male, married, working, Hindu by religion and belonged to extended/joint families of urban background. In the regression analysis, RAS scores were predicted significantly by discrimination experience, stereotype endorsement and alienation domains of ISMIS, level of functioning as assessed by GAF, residual depressive symptoms as assessed by HDRS and occupational status. The level of variance explained for total RAS score and various RAS domains ranged from 36.2% to 46.9%. Conclusion: This study suggests that personal recovery among patients with bipolar disorder is affected by stigma, level of functioning, residual depressive symptoms and employment status of patients with bipolar disorder.


Author(s):  
Jyoti Sharma ◽  
Mrinalini Upadhyay ◽  
Manish Gupta ◽  
Vikas Fotedar

Ca cervix is a common gynaecological cancer in daily practice but secondaries in brain after ca cervix as primary is a rare occurrence. As the survival of ca cervix patients has improved, we are able to encounter secondaries in unusual sites like brain. Prognosis is usually dismal due to presence of extra cranial mets along with brain secondaries which limits the use of new radiotherapy techniques like Stereotactic radiosurgery. We present a case series of five patients who presented to us post radical treatment of cancer cervix and treated with whole brain radiation therapy and best supportive care.


2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Fairman ◽  
Scott A. Irwin

AbstractObjective:This investigation sought to systematically identify and characterize a cohort of patients treated in hospice for life-limiting injuries sustained in a suicide attempt that was not immediately lethal.Method:We developed a case series of all completed suicides in a large, community-based hospice, from 2004 through 2010. Clinical documentation and county medical examiner reports were used to identify those deaths that resulted from a suicide attempt made prior to hospice admission. Cases were characterized in terms of basic demographic variables, the temporal sequence of events in the transition from hospital care to hospice, the mechanism of injury and medical complications, the presence of mental illness, and family involvement in decision making.Results:Out of a total of 20,887 hospice deaths during the study period, 8 deaths resulted from an incomplete suicide attempt made prior to hospice admission. Subjects were nearly all male (6/8), and 46 years old on average; substantially younger than the general hospice population. Drug overdose was the most common method of suicide (5/8), and irreversible anoxic brain injury was the main medical complication. The majority of subjects (6/8) had evidence of serious mental illness. Most cases were complicated by estranged family relationships; however, family members were involved in end-of-life decision making for nearly all patients.Significance of results:Whereas a failed suicide attempt leading to hospice appears to be a relatively rare event, patients in this population appear unique in several regards. Further study may serve to better characterize this group and prepare hospice agencies and clinicians for caring for this unique population.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document