Challenges for psychiatry in serving homeless people with psychiatric disorders

Hunter L. McQuistion, Molly Finnerty, Jack Hirschowitz, Ezra S. Susser

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors examine current challenges confronting psychiatry in caring for homeless people with psychiatric disorders. After reviewing how psychiatry has historically addressed homelessness and mental illness, the authors discuss the roles that the profession has developed in working with homeless populations. These roles, which encompass clinical, administrative, academic, and advocacy functions, have evolved as a result of trends both in homelessness services and within the profession of psychiatry. Challenges implicit in this evolution are discussed, including recent trends in homelessness, particularly an increase in prevalence, especially among families and children and some clinical subpopulations. The authors propose that these epidemiological trends are affecting the mental health care needs of homeless people. To be effective and credible in continuing to help solve the problems of homeless people with psychiatric disorders, psychiatry must adapt to these new challenges, using the roles it has developed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)669-676
Number of pages8
JournalPsychiatric Services
Volume54
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2003

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