Homelessness in America has emerged as a social problem of considerable magnitude. Some of the reasons for the swelling ranks of homeless in this country have been linked to recent social and economic policies and processes that have, over the past decade, literally disenfrancised many of society's most vulnerable groups. Advocates for the homeless have asserted that changes in mental health policies, especially in the area of deinstitutionalization, have played a prominent role in increasing homelessness. This study is an effort to more thoroughly understand the nature of the homeless population and the relationships between homelessness and mental health policies and services. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and a research consortium composed of social scientists from five universities in the state will address the following areas: 1) a description of the homeless and their mental health needs: 2) an examination of how mental health policies have contributed to homelessness; and 3) the development of a generalizable data base to assist mental health authorities in policy and service development for the homeless. The study will collect information from four statewide sources--key informants knowledgeable about the problem, homeless people, community mental health centers, and Ohio's computerized mental patient information system--to address the research issues.
| Bean Jr, G J; Stefl, M E; Howe, S R (1987) Mental health and homelessness: issues and findings. Soc Work 32:411-6 |
| Roth, D; Bean Jr, G J; Hyde, P S (1986) Homelessness and mental health policy: developing an appropriate role for the 1980s. Community Ment Health J 22:203-14 |
| Roth, D; Bean Jr, G J (1986) New perspectives on homelessness: findings from a statewide epidemiological study. Hosp Community Psychiatry 37:712-9 |
