An epidemiological survey of communal establishment residents: Implications for mental health purchasers

Abstract

Psychiatric morbidity rates and use of specialist services were determined for adults living in communal establishments situated within an inner-city area. characteristics of residents were ascertained. Most people living in residential homes for the mentally ill had a psychiatric disorder (94%) and of these the majority were in contact with specialist services (97%). Similar results emerged for residents in the smaller hostels (with less than 10 residents) designated for the mentally ill. Even in the remaining smaller establishments and the larger hostels (with 10 or more residents), catering primarily for homeless people, almost half (49%) the residents had mental health problems. Furthermore, only around one-third (38%) were in receipt of psychiatric care. The relevance of these and other findings for purchasers of mental health services are discussed. The location of these facilities and the