Psychiatric morbidity and health service use among attendees at a winter shelter

Abstract

Aims and MethodHomelessness is associated with raised psychiatric morbidity. Case records for 597 consecutive attendees at a winter shelter medical service were retrospectively reviewed to assess routine recording of psychiatric morbidity and to examine associations between current psychiatric symptoms and health service use.ResultsPrevious psychiatric morbidity was recorded in 36.0% of attendees, including 20.4% with comorbid substance misuse. Current psychiatric morbidity was recorded in 31.3% of attendees, and was associated with reduced total medication prescription, increased referral to other services and increased re-presentation to the shelter medical service.Clinical ImplicationsPsychiatric morbidity was frequently recorded in this population. Current psychiatric symptoms were associated with increased health service use. Improved training of shelter staff should be instituted to increase engagement with mainstream mental health services.