Adams Emma A, Parker Jeff, Jablonski Tony, Kennedy Joanne, Tasker Fiona, Hunter Desmond, Denham Katy, Smiles Claire, Muir Cassey, O'Donnell Amy, Widnall Emily, Dotsikas Kate, Kaner Eileen, Ramsay Sheena E
Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4ES, UK.
HeathNow, Crisis, City House 1 City Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2AF, UK.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 15;19(6):3459. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063459.
People experiencing homelessness have higher rates of mental ill-health and substance use and lower access to health services compared to the general population. The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in service delivery across health and social care services, with many adopting virtual or telephone support for service users. This paper explores the experiences of access to community-based mental health and substance use support for people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with 10 women and 16 men (ages 25 to 71) who self-identified as experiencing homelessness in North East England between February and May 2021. With five individuals with lived experience, results were analysed using inductive reflexive thematic analysis. Reactive changes to support provision often led to inadvertent exclusion. Barriers to access included: physical locations, repetition of recovery stories, individual readiness, and limited availability. Participants suggested creating services reflective of need and opportunities for choice and empowerment. Community mental health and substance use support for people experiencing homelessness should ensure the support is personalised, responsive to need, inclusive, and trauma-informed. The findings of this research have important implications for mental health and substance use policy and practice for individuals who experience homelessness during a public health crisis.
与普通人群相比，无家可归者的心理健康问题和药物使用发生率更高，获得医疗服务的机会更少。新冠疫情导致医疗和社会护理服务的提供方式发生了变化，许多服务采用了虚拟或电话支持的方式为服务对象提供帮助。本文探讨了新冠疫情期间无家可归者获得社区心理健康和药物使用支持的经历。对2021年2月至5月期间在英格兰东北部自我认定为无家可归的10名女性和16名男性（年龄在25至71岁之间）进行了定性电话访谈。与5名有实际生活经历的人一起，使用归纳反思主题分析法对结果进行了分析。对支持提供的反应性变化往往导致无意的排斥。获得支持的障碍包括：实际地点、康复故事的重复、个人准备情况以及可用性有限。参与者建议创建反映需求以及提供选择和赋权机会的服务。为无家可归者提供的社区心理健康和药物使用支持应确保支持是个性化的、满足需求的、包容的且考虑到创伤因素的。这项研究的结果对公共卫生危机期间无家可归者的心理健康和药物使用政策及实践具有重要意义。
