Does Supported Accommodation Improve the Clinical and Social Outcomes for People with Severe Psychiatric Disability? The Project 300 Experience

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the clinical and social outcomes for a group of individuals (n = 181) discharged into supported accommodation from three long-stay facilities in Queensland. Data were collected prospectively using a battery of standardized measures and individual interviews at 6 weeks pre-discharge and again at 6, 18, 36, and 84 months post-discharge. While there was little functional gain at follow up, the clients, as a group, did not deteriorate. Sixty per cent of the clients were engaged in some form of structured community activity and the need for hospitalization decreased significantly in the follow-up period. The ongoing costs of the programme, while remaining high, were significantly less than inpatient alternatives. The provision of community accommodation with adequate clinical and non-clinical support is a suitable option for a large proportion of individuals with serious mental illness.