Supported housing programs for persons with serious mental illness in rural northern communities: A mixed method evaluation

Abstract

Background: During the past two decades, consumers, providers and policy makers have recognized the role of supported housing intervention for persons diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) to be able to live independently in the community. Much of supported housing research to date, however, has been conducted in large urban centers rather than northern and rural communities. Northern conditional and contextual issues such as rural poverty, lack of accessible mental health services, small or non-existing housing markets, lack of a continuum of support or housing services, and in some communities, a poor quality of housing challenge the viability of effective supported housing services. The current research proposal aims to describe and evaluate the processes and outcomes of supported housing programs for persons living with SMI in northern and rural communities from the perspective of clients, their families, and community providers.

Use of participatory research and photo-voice to support urban Aboriginal healthy eating

“…2006, Esler 2008). Both qualitative and quantitative data can inform action research cycles (Montgomery et al. 2008).…”

Developing a Family-Centered Participatory Action Research Project

“…Often, these relationships are preexisting and long term (Ho, 2002;Tsey et al, 2007). The PAR process is strengthened by balancing the expertise within the team, being purposeful about which family members to include, and by including other key community members who may benefit from the research (Garwick & Auger, 2003;Ho, 2002;Montgomery et al, 2008;Santelli, Singer, DiVenere, Ginsberg, & Powers, 1998;Turnbull, Friesen, & Ramirez, 1998).…”

Advancing towards inclusive social research: visual methods as opportunities for people with severe mental illness to participate in research

“…Most of these studies were conducted in the field of psychiatric nursing and psychology and revolve around two broad topic areas: studying the life spaces of people with chronic mental illness, particularly their supported housing and day care centres (Bryant, Tibbs & Clark, 2011;Montgomery et al, 2008;Kloos & Shah, 2009), and studies seeking to take a closer look at their views of life, their illness and how this affects their own experiences. Some of these studies aim to provide an in-depth comprehension of the person with severe mental illness (Erdner, Andersson, Magnusson 7 & Lützén, 2009;Erdner & Magnusson, 2011;Sitvas, Abma & Widdershoven, 2010, while others aim to increase professionals' empathy when they meet a patient diagnosed with mental illness (Thompson et al, 2008) and still others provide evidence to support the development of patient-focused interventions (Fleming, Mahoney, Carlson & Engebretson, 2009).…”