scholarly journals Sick Enough? Mental Illness and Service Eligibility for Homeless Individuals at the Border

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis Smith ◽  
Ernesto Castañeda
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Social Service ◽  
El Paso ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Homeless Persons ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
Border City ◽  
Social Service Workers

This paper measures mental illness among individuals experiencing homelessness in a border city and compares it to the general housed population. We use original data from a homeless survey conducted in El Paso, Texas. Respondents self-reported any possible mental illness or related symptoms. We find that mental illness is not disproportionally common among the homeless, yet this is something that is often claimed by laypersons, some social service workers, and some researchers that limit sampling to institutionalized settings where formal mental illness is often among the prerequisites for admission. We find that “severe mental illness” among homeless persons is 6.2% (only around 2–3% higher than the general population), and “any mental illness” is 20.8% (only 1–3% higher than in the general population). Our results are consistent with other research focusing on street samples.

scholarly journals Management aspects of care for the homeless mentally ill

1996 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 158-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Timms
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Economically Disadvantaged ◽  
High Unemployment ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Homeless Mentally Ill ◽  
The Continuum

People with mental illness have always been marginalised and economically disadvantaged. Warner (1987) has shown that this is particularly true in times of high unemployment. Poor inner-city areas have excessive rates of severe mental illness, usually without the health, housing and social service provisions necessary to deal with them (Faris & Dunham, 1959). The majority of those who suffer major mental illness live in impoverished circumstances somewhere along the continuum of poverty. Homelessness, however defined, is the extreme and most marginalised end of this continuum, and it is here that we find disproportionate numbers of the mentally ill.

Cost-effectiveness of assertive community treatment for homeless persons with severe mental illness

1999 ◽  
Vol 174 (4) ◽  
pp. 346-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony F. Lehman ◽  
Lisa Dixon ◽  
Jeffrey S. Hoch ◽  
Bruce Deforge ◽  
Eimer Kernan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Assertive Community Treatment ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Homeless Persons ◽  
Community Treatment ◽  
Stable Housing

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.

scholarly journals Oral health inequality in people with severe mental illness: a cross-sectional study using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Kang ◽  
Jianhua Wu ◽  
Vishal Aggarwal ◽  
David Shiers ◽  
Tim Doran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Tooth Loss ◽  
List Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Oral Health Outcomes

AbstractOBJECTIVETo explore whether people with severe mental illness (SMI) experience worse oral health compared to the general population, and the risk factors for poor oral health in people with SMI.METHODThis study used cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2016) including on self-rated oral health, ache in mouth, tooth loss, periodontitis stage, and number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth. Candidate risk factors for poor oral health included demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, physical health comorbidities, and dental hygiene behaviours. The authors used ordinal logistic regression and zero-inflated negative binomial models to explore predictors of oral health outcomes.RESULTS53,348 cases were included in the analysis, including 718 people with SMI. In the fully adjusted model, people with SMI were more likely to suffer from tooth loss (OR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.12-1.75). In people with SMI, the risk factors identified for poor oral health outcomes were older age, white ethnicity, lower income, smoking history, and diabetes. Engaging in physical activity and daily use of dental floss were associated with better oral health outcomes.CONCLUSIONSPeople with SMI experience higher rates of tooth loss than the general population, and certain subgroups are particularly at risk. Having a healthy lifestyle such as performing regular physical exercise and flossing may lower the risk of poor oral health. These findings suggest opportunities for targeted prevention and early intervention strategies to mitigate adverse oral health outcomes.Significant outcomes (x3)People with severe mental illness were at 40% higher risk of tooth loss when compared to the general population.Older adults, smokers and people with diabetes were at particularly high risk of poor oral health.Physical exercise and daily use of dental floss were associated with better oral health outcomes.Limitations (x3)The number of cases with data on periodontal disease was limited.The study was cross-sectional so causation could not be inferred.The analysis used prescriptions of antipsychotic and mood stabilising medication as a proxy measure of severe mental illness, as clinical diagnoses were not available in the dataset.Data availability statementThe NHANES 1999-2016 data is available at CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/index.htm, and is accessible and free to download for everyone.

scholarly journals PROSPECTIVE FOSTER PARENTS‘ ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE PROVIDED SOCIAL WORKER‘S ASSISTANCE: A CASE OF AN X LITHUANIAN TOWN

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Irena Leliūgienė ◽  
Inga Stūglytė – Novickienė ◽  
Angelė Kaušylienė
Keyword(s):  
Social Service ◽  
Foster Parents ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Rights Protection ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family ◽  
Social Service Workers ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Children Rights

The article introduces the significance of social worker's assistance to prospective foster parents: a case of an X Lithuanian town. The best place for the child development and improvement is the family. For some reasons not all the children are raised in families. Some children have no possibility to live with their biological families, therefore according to the established legislation, they live in foster homes under the supervision of foster parents or are adopted. Children adoption in our country is regulated by different acts of legislation. The activity of the ombudsperson for children’s rights is governed by the Law on the Ombudsman for Children Rights Protection of the Republic of Lithuania (2000), Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania, Regulations of organization and management of children guardianship (2002), etc. Research <strong>aim</strong> is to analyze the social service worker's assistance to the prospective foster parents. The following objectives to reach our <strong>goal</strong> are presented: to analyze theoretical conception of adoption procedure and enforcement; to discuss the system of the social service workers’ assistance to prospective foster parents; to investigate foster parents' approach towards the social service worker's assistance and to reveal the main problems. <strong>Research methods</strong>: analysis of the scientific literature – scientific analysis of adoption issues. The stages of adoption procedures and the requirements overviewed and analysed are provided; document analysis: documents, acts of legislation, laws and regulations of child adoption regulations are analysed and overviewed; a qualitative study: semi-structured interview, analyzing the foster parents' approach towards the social service workers' assistance; problems and probable solutions are identified. The research results are obtained by content analysis. <strong>The article presents the following generalizations:</strong> 1) adoption is considered as a social process when specific rights and responsibilities are provided to foster parents in order to guarantee the child's safety. In case of inter-country adoption, the adoption opportunities are estimated, the child is prepared for the adoption and the family for the child is selected. At that period foster parents face internal and external factors. Seeking to grant the children rights and smooth adoption process, professional social workers should coordinate it; 2) institution of the Ombudsman for Children Rights of the Republic of Lithuania and State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour are also engaged in the adoption and foster care; 3) the research results reveal that the biggest problems for prospective foster parents are extensively long adoption period, lack of social service workers' assistance and poor knowledge on the available assistance.

scholarly journals Rozważania na temat podmiotów systemu oświaty

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1 (3)) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Danuta Kurzyna-Chmiel
Keyword(s):  
Educational System ◽  
Social Service ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Preschool Education ◽  
Education Law ◽  
Service Workers ◽  
Legal Term ◽  
The Law ◽  
Social Service Workers

The legislator considers the term “educational system” as one of the basic education laws. The legal term (included in the Education Law Act) “the educational system covers” lists its elements. They include, for example, various types of schools, kindergartens, alternative forms of preschool education, children’s holiday homes, centers of education. This system realizes recognized values, principles, as well as certain postulates and guidelines contained in the law. In essence, it is a collection of organizational units, whose activity is regulated by the Education Law Act. The majority of these activities are addressed to pupils. Some elements are also addressed to teachers and serve to develop them. Colleges of Social Service Workers do not fit in with the rest of the educational system.

Police Violence among Adults Diagnosed with Mental Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-89
Author(s):  
Hyun-Jin Jun ◽  
Jordan E DeVylder ◽  
Lisa Fedina
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Violence Exposure ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Police Violence ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

Abstract Police violence is reportedly common among those diagnosed with mental disorders characterized by the presence of psychotic symptoms or pronounced emotional lability. Despite the perception that people with mental illness are disproportionately mistreated by the police, there is relatively little empirical research on this topic. A cross-sectional general population survey was administered online in 2017 to 1,000 adults in two eastern U.S. cities to examine the relationship between police violence exposure, mental disorders, and crime involvement. Results from hierarchical logistic regression and mediation analyses revealed that a range of mental health conditions are broadly associated with elevated risk for police violence exposure. Individuals with severe mental illness are more likely than the general population to be physically victimized by police, regardless of their involvement in criminal activities. Most of the excess risk of police violence exposure related to common psychiatric diagnoses was explained by confounding factors including crime involvement. However, crime involvement may necessitate more police contact, but does not necessarily justify victimization or excessive force (particularly sexual and psychological violence). Findings support the need for adequate training for police officers on how to safely interact with people with mental health conditions, particularly severe mental illness.

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