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Mental Health Problems of the Edinburgh ‘Roofless’

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

J. R. Newton ,
J. R. Geddes ,
S. Bailey ,
C. P. Freeman ,
A. McAleavy  and
G. C. Young
J. R. Newton*
Affiliation:
Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh
J. R. Geddes
Affiliation:
Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh
S. Bailey
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh
C. P. Freeman
Affiliation:
Royal Edinburgh Hospital
A. McAleavy
Affiliation:
Edinburgh Old Town Community Care Forum, Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh
G. C. Young
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh, Morningside Terrace, Edinburgh
*
Dr Richard Newton, Homeless Persons Psychiatric Service, Royal Park Hospital, Private Bag No. 3, Parkville 3052, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract

Background

The roofless have not been previously surveyed in detail looking specifically at their psychiatric status.

Method

All roofless people in a discrete area were interviewed in their ‘skippers’ using a semi-structured interview. Other roofless people helped in case finding and diagnostic validity was confirmed using a computerised case register.

Results

Sixty-five people were interviewed. High rates of substance abuse (n = 48, 75%), and very low rates of psychotic illness (n = 2, 3%) were found. High rates of serious physical morbidity, of imprisonment and of being the victim of a crime were found.

Conclusion

The roofless have multiple severe medical, social, and psychiatric problems. These all must be addressed when considering the provision of services.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 165 , Issue 4 , October 1994 , pp. 537 - 540
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1994 

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