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The Homeless Mentally Ill: Myths and Realities

Author

Listed:
  • Walid Abdul Hamid

    (The Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, England)

  • Til Wykes

    (Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF)

  • Stephen Stansfeld

    (Social and Community Psychiatry, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex CM20 1QX)

Abstract

This literature review summarises the historical background of homelessness. It suggests that the current view of homeless people as chronic mentally ill is the latest phase in a series of the different ways in which society has perceived and labelled the homeless. We have argued that homelessness is a product of the lack of housing provision to the poorest section of society and that the psychiatric needs of many of the homeless might be a direct result of poverty and homelessness. This review also highlights difficulties in interpreting data produced by surveys of homeless people. These difficulties include the multiple definitions of homelessness used and also the major methodological errors which limit the usefulness of their findings. In particular sampling methods used may have overestimated the more visible part of the homeless population, overestimating the levels of psychiatric morbidity. Even if these limitations are ignored the data produced by these studies do not allow planning of effective mental health services for homeless people as their results depend mainly on diagnostic classification rather than disability or need. What is required is a study of needs where the appropriateness of particular services is defined, the sampling method is explicit and the definitions of homelessness are precise and consistent.

Suggested Citation

  • Walid Abdul Hamid & Til Wykes & Stephen Stansfeld, 1993. "The Homeless Mentally Ill: Myths and Realities," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 39(4), pages 237-254, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:39:y:1993:i:4:p:237-254
    DOI: 10.1177/002076409303900401
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fischer, P.J. & Shapiro, S. & Breakey, W.R. & Anthony, J.C. & Kramer, M., 1986. "Mental health and social characteristics of the homeless: A survey of mission users," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 76(5), pages 519-524.
    2. Leona L. Bachrach, 1992. "The Urban Environment and Mental Health," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 38(1), pages 5-15, March.
    3. Whitley, Marilyn Peddicord & Osborne, Oliver H. & Godfrey, Mary Ann & Johnston, Karen, 1985. "A point prevalence study of alcoholism and mental illness among downtown migrants," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 20(6), pages 579-583, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alyssa Tate & Kaéla Edwards & Nichole Holmes & Steven Buffer & Zachary Fusfeld & Willie Baronet & Rosemary Frasso, 2022. "‘Even a smile helps’: Exploring the interactions between people experiencing homelessness and passersby in public spaces," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(3), pages 525-532, May.
    2. Kamaldeep Bhui & Lisa Shanahan & Geoff Harding, 2006. "Homelessness and Mental Illness: A Literature Review and a Qualitative Study of Perceptions of the Adequacy of Care," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 52(2), pages 152-165, March.
    3. Walid Khalid Abdul-Hamid & Kamaldeep Bhui, 2014. "Psychiatry, homeless patients and welfare reforms: Historical links and chains," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(1), pages 71-74, February.
    4. Guru S Gowda & G Gopika & Narayana Manjunatha & Channaveerachari Naveen Kumar & Ravi Yadav & Dwarakanath Srinivas & Bharath Rose Dawn & Suresh Bada Math, 2017. "Sociodemographic and clinical profiles of homeless mentally ill admitted in mental health institute of South India: ‘Know the Unknown’ project," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 63(6), pages 525-531, September.

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