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Homeless mentally ill in Athens area: A cross-sectional study on unmet needs and help-seeking

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  • Paraskevi Chondraki
  • Michael G Madianos
  • Elena Dragioti
  • George N Papadimitriou

Abstract

Background: Homelessness, a worldwide psychosocial phenomenon, is now also prevalent in Greece, mainly in Athens area. Methods: The possible psychiatric morbidity related to help-seeking and the underlying factors were explored in a sample of 254 homeless people from Greater Athens area, using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). Results: The sample was predominantly male (74%) with mean age of 51 years, being in their majority homeless for over 25 months, 34.3% of them living in rough sleeping places. Overall, 56.7% of the sample met the criteria for a current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) psychiatric disorder with 20.8% comorbidity. Only 36.2% of the identified psychiatric cases had any recent psychiatric care, while 44.4% were taking non-prescribed medication and 20.2% have been hospitalized in the last year. On the contrary, 70% of alcohol- and drug-dependent persons have been treated in a psychiatric agency, while 60.0% of them participated in rehabilitation program the last year. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being older, more educated with longer duration of homelessness, recognizing the suffering from a psychiatric problem as well as being diagnosed as ‘psychotic’ increased the likelihood to seek help. Conclusions: The vast majority of the homeless mentally ill persons were lacking any current psychiatric care. The planning of a mental health–care delivery parallel to the existing social welfare system is needed to serve the unmet mental health needs of this population.

Suggested Citation

  • Paraskevi Chondraki & Michael G Madianos & Elena Dragioti & George N Papadimitriou, 2014. "Homeless mentally ill in Athens area: A cross-sectional study on unmet needs and help-seeking," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(6), pages 544-553, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:60:y:2014:i:6:p:544-553
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764013503150
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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.
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