Citation

Dunne E, Duggan M, O'Mahony J. Ir. Med. J. 2012; 105(3): 71-2, 74.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork. elaine.dunne@ucc.ie

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Winstone Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22558811

Abstract

This study aimed to establish a profile of users of the mental health service for homeless in Cork, comparing this group with those attending a General Adult Service. The homeless group were significantly more likely to be male (89% v. 46%o), unemployed (96% v. 68%), unmarried (98% v. 75%) and under 65 (94% v. 83%). Diagnostically, there was a significantly higher prevalence of schizophrenia (50% v. 34%); personality disorder (37% v. 11%) and substance dependence (74% v. 19%) in the homeless service users. They were more likely to have a history of deliberate self harm (54% v. 21%) and violence (48% v. 10%). Severe mental illness has a high prevalence in the homeless population, with particularly high levels of factors associated with suicide and homicide. Poor compliance and complexity of illness lead to a requirement for significant input from multidisciplinary mental health teams members.

Language: en