Seventy-eight homeless men, women, and children staying at an emergency
shelter were interviewed. The vast majority were found to have severe
psychological illnesses that largely remained untreated. Approximately 91%
were given primary psychiatric diagnoses: About 40% had psychoses, 29% were
chronic alcoholics, and 21% had personality disorders. Approximately
one-third had been hospitalized for psychiatric care. The authors discuss
the relationship of mental health policy to the homeless and suggest that
shelters have become alternative institutions to meet the needs of mentally
ill people who are no longer cared for by departments of mental health.
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