Homelessness

Abstract

There is a high prevalence of serious mental illness and substance use disorders in people who are experiencing homelessness. Many individuals without housing are not well served within the existing outpatient mental health services system, and without tailored interventions, many cannot or do not access ongoing psychiatric care. Team-based and integrated approaches that address housing, mental and physical health, substance use, and benefits and entitlements are recommended to engage and support these individuals. Services spanning an individual’s trajectory from street to shelter to housing can help foster recovery. This chapter illustrates the importance of specialized clinical approaches for this population and discusses both evidence-based practices and unique best practice interventions for clinicians working with people experiencing homelessness.