What’s in the Basket of Services? Support Preferences of Mental Health Consumers and Family Members

This study explored mental health consumers’ preferences regarding the support services needed to find, access, and maintain housing, and compared their views with the preferences of family members of consumers. A total of 354 consumers and 187 family members from across Canada completed questionnaires assessing their past and present experiences with housing and supports. Income supports and nutritional supports were described by both consumers and family members as the most important support services. Opinions diverged in other areas; consumers desired supports that fostered independent living, while family members emphasized services offering higher levels of support.