This paper reports the results of a study of homeless guests in four temporary shelter agencies in Detroit. Quantitative results as well as case studies are presented. Results suggest that the homeless population in Detroit is quite diverse but is a multiproblem population that frequently has difficulties with mental and physical health, employment, substance abuse, interpersonal relationships, and victimization. The authors conclude that a comprehensive and coordinated effort is needed by a wide range of service providers to address the needs of this group.Homelessness in America has received increasing media and research attention in recent years. Much of this attention has focused on the extent of mental illness in the homeless population, addressing the allegation that deinstitutionalization policies have substantially contributed to the larger number of homeless persons in recent years. However, the extent of psychiatric symptoms and chronic mental illness in the homeless is far from well established. In published research studies, the percentages reported for homeless persons with backgrounds of psychiatric hospitalization range from 5% to 95% and for having mental illness from 21% to 84% (Mowbray, 1985).Although it is somewhat limited, research indicates that the homeless may suffer from substantial health problems (Green, 1985; Nobel, Scott, Cavicci, & Robinson, 1985;McBride & Mulcare, 1985). Perhaps unfortunately, researchers have given most of their attention to assessing the mental instead of the physical health problems of the homeless. This limited perspective ignores the fact that the two health areas are often intertwined and both may be exacerbated by factors associated with homelessness, such as harsh living circumstances, poverty, and substance abuse (Brickner, 1985;Flynn, 1985). For those concerned with the chronically mentally ill homeless, this is an important area of research.In 1983, the Michigan Department of Mental Health received fundingThis document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers. This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.
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