A Study on the Actual Conditions of Support for Homeless Persons in Australia

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.

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Hepatitis A seroprevalence in homeless persons, in Marseille, France

Clinics and Research in Hepatology and Gastroenterology ◽

10.1016/j.clinre.2020.11.003 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 101571

Author(s):

Tran Duc Anh Ly ◽

Van Thuan Hoang ◽

Thi Loi Dao ◽

Sekene Badiaga ◽

Herve Tissot-Dupont ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis A ◽

Homeless Persons

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Creating a Medical Home for Homeless Persons With Serious Mental Illness

Psychiatric Services ◽

10.1176/ps.62.5.pss6205_0561 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 62 (5) ◽

pp. 561-562 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Benjamin F. Henwood ◽

Lara Carson Weinstein ◽

Sam Tsemberis

Keyword(s):

Mental Illness ◽

Serious Mental Illness ◽

Medical Home ◽

Homeless Persons

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Housing First for Homeless Persons with Active Addiction: Are We Overreaching?

Milbank Quarterly ◽

10.1111/j.1468-0009.2009.00565.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 87 (2) ◽

pp. 495-534 ◽

Cited By ~ 129

Author(s):

STEFAN G. KERTESZ ◽

KIMBERLY CROUCH ◽

JESSE B. MILBY ◽

ROBERT E. CUSIMANO ◽

JOSEPH E. SCHUMACHER

Keyword(s):

Homeless Persons ◽

Housing First

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Health Needs of Homeless Children

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.82.6.938 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 82 (6) ◽

pp. 938-940

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Affordable Housing ◽

Homeless Persons ◽

Homeless Population ◽

Homeless Children ◽

Welfare Programs ◽

Stable Housing ◽

The Us ◽

Community Ties ◽

Societal Problems ◽

Families With Children

Families with children represent more than one third of the homeless population nationally and more than 50% of the homeless population in many cities. Lack of a permanent dwelling deprives children of the most basic necessities for proper growth and development. Homeless children have unique risks that compromise their health status. Pediatricians are encouraged to be aware of this growing population of children and include them in their service and advocacy efforts. BACKGROUND A homeless person is defined by the National Governors Association as "an undomiciled person who is unable to secure permanent and stable housing without special assistance." The US General Accounting Office defines homeless individuals as those persons who lack resources and community ties necessary to provide for their own adequate shelter. Estimates of the number of people who lacked access to conventional dwelling or residence in 1987 range from 350,000 to more than 3 million.1 Although there is disagreement concerning the exact number of homeless persons, there is consensus that the numbers are large and continuing to increase.2 The average increase from 1986 to 1987 in the number of people needing shelter was 20%, and one quarter of this need could not be met with existing emergency shelters. (US Conference of Mayors, unpublished data, December 1987). Several societal problems contribute to the increasing rate of homelessness among American families, including lack of affordable housing; decrease in availability of rent subsidies; unemployment, especially among those who have held only marginal jobs; personal crises such as divorce and domestic violence; cutbacks in public welfare programs; substance abuse; and deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill.

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