Collaborative mental health care for the homeless: the role of psychiatry in positive housing and mental health outcomes.

Objective:Factors associated with positive outcomes for homeless men referred to a shelter-based collaborative mental health care team were examined.Method:A chart review of 73 clients referred over 12 months was completed. Two outcome measures were examined, clinical status and housing status, 6 months after their referral to the program.Result:Among the referred clients, the prevalence of severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders was 76.5% and 48.5%, respectively. At 6 months, 24 clients (35.3%) had improved clinically, and 33 (48.5%) were housed. Logistic regression identified 2 factors associated with clinical improvement: the number of visits with a psychiatrist and treatment adherence. The same 2 factors were associated with higher odds of housing, and presence of substance use disorder was associated with lower odds of housing at 6-month follow-up.Conclusion:Care by a mental health specialist is positively associated with improved outcomes. Strategies to improve treatment adh...