Permanent and stable housing for individuals living with a mental illness in the community: A paradigm shift in attitude for mental health nurses

Abstract

The provision of appropriate housing for individuals with a mental illness has been recognized by a number of researchers as a means to enhance effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation services, to maintain treatment gains, and to decrease community opposition to deinstitutionalization. Whether community-based services, which are now meant to be the focus of treatment, are successful or not is crucially related to the nature and availability of accommodation. This paper argues a case for change in the current philosophical basis of, and services provided by, mental health professionals and agencies that are charged with the responsibility of meeting the housing needs of consumers of mental health services. This change, it is contended, needs to be to an approach that is more flexible, more supportive of the consumer, and in which the consumers are empowered to make decisions and choices about their housing needs.

Housing, Social Support and People With Schizophrenia: A Grounded Theory Study

“…These include living in hospitals, boarding houses, hostels and group homes with varying degrees of supervision, living with parents and independent living in the person's own home with a choice of house mates/partners. There is consensus in the literature that, outside hospital, the most desirable accommodation is independent housing, whilst the least desirable is boarding houses (Anthony & Blanch, 1989;Baker & Douglas, 1990;Carling, 1989Carling, , 1990Carling, & 1993Cleary et al, 1998;Health Care Complaints Commission, 1996;Howie the Harp, 1990;Linhorst, 1991;Moxam & Pegg, 2000;Posey, 1990;Strong, 1995).…”

“…There is substantial support for this view in Australia (Burdekin, Guilfoyle & Hall, 1993;Queensland Health, 1996) and internationally (World Health Organization, 1990). Without the availability of quality affordable housing, other treatment and rehabilitation approaches are jeopardized (Moxam & Pegg, 2000;Stroul, 1989). This view is also well supported by research (Anthony & Blanch, 1989;Baker & Douglas, 1990;Rosenfield, 1990;Stroul, 1989).…”

Les conditions d'hébergement favorables au rétablissement : perspective des usagers et usagères

“…L'espoir est aussi lié à l'autodétermination, définie comme la confiance en ses propres capacités et le contrôle sur sa vie, et qui constitue une autre valeur clé que Parkinson (2003) a documentée à l'aide du récit d'usagers et usagères bénéficiant de divers types d'hébergement structuré. Moxham et Pegg (2000) ont rapporté que le respect des besoins et du choix des usagers et usagères contribuait au développement de leurs capacités d'autodétermination et était essentiel à leur réinsertion dans la communauté. Toutefois, une étude a démontré que des personnes âgées devaient souvent faire un compromis entre leur préférence d'hébergement et leurs besoins en termes de sécurité et de protection (Boydell, 2006 ;Whitley, Harris et Drake, 2008), ce qui est également le cas pour les usagers et usagères des services en santé mentale (Forchuk, Nelson et al, 2006).…”

Perspectives of day and accommodation services for people with enduring mental illness

“…Warren and Bell's (2000) Australian study, investigating user views of accommodation, concluded that users gave priority to privacy and safety, rejecting designated group homes because of associated stigma. Also in Australia the importance of housing in underpinning social integration and personal independence is emphasised (Moxham and Pegg 2000): the benefits of user involvement in housing provision is illustrated in a report by Bond (1999), describing a housing project funded by the voluntary sector.…”