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Psychiatric disorders in and service use by young homeless people
Author(s) -
Reilly John J,
Herrman Helen E,
Clarke David M,
Neil Cecily C,
McNamara Cheryl L
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1994.tb127524.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , cannabis , mental health , depression (economics) , substance use , young adult , psychology , medicine , mental illness , medical diagnosis , clinical psychology , gerontology , economics , macroeconomics , pathology
Objectives To examine psychiatric morbidity, including substance use disorders, and service use in young people with experience of homelessness. Design A cross‐sectional study of 34 new residents in a supported accommodation program in Melbourne. Current and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses were made using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders , third edition, revised (DSM‐III‐R). Use of psychiatric and related services was also assessed. Results Of the 21 women and 13 men (mean age, 18.1 years; standard deviation, 2.2 years), 50% had a current major DSM‐III‐R diagnosis, and 82% had a lifetime DSM‐III‐R diagnosis. The most common diagnoses were alcohol dependence, depressive disorders and cannabis dependence. Co‐morbidity was common. Few of the young people had sought or received any treatment for depressive or substance use disorders. Conclusions Young people with experience of homelessness have a high prevalence of depressive disorders and substance use disor‐ders, particularly alcohol and cannabis dependence. Despite this they have a low rate of service use. These findings suggest a need for closer interaction between mental health professionals and other agencies in the planning and provision of services to young homeless people.