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Finding alternatives to the streets for the homeless mentally Ill: Efficacy at a state hospital intensive placement unit

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Abstract

The authors describe a sample of homeless mentally ill patients receiving extended psychiatric care on an intensive placement unit. Summaries of 246 discharges were reviewed to examine demographic and clinical factors associated with extended psychiatric care and postdischarge placement. It was found that homeless patients requiring extended care were often medically ill and substance abusing. Residential placements were accepted by most patients on discharge. It was determined that homeless psychiatric patients benefited from extended care on an inpatient unit designed to alleviate anxieties regarding living arrangements and psychiatric treatment systems historically rejected by this population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Community Services, Creedmoor Psychiatric Center, 80-45 Winchester Blvd., 11427, Queens Village, New York

    Michael A. Silver M.D. (Associate Clinical Director)

  2. Washington Heights Community Research Office, New York, New York

    Karen McKinnon (Project Director)

Authors
  1. Michael A. Silver M.D.
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  2. Karen McKinnon
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Additional information

The authors wish to thank Charlotte Seltzer, CSW, for her cooperation on this project.

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Silver, M.A., McKinnon, K. Finding alternatives to the streets for the homeless mentally Ill: Efficacy at a state hospital intensive placement unit. J Psycholinguist Res 23, 67–73 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02143176

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