[Prevalence of psychiatric disorders and outcome of social integration of homeless men].

All 52 regular users of a shelter in a medium-sized German city underwent a baseline psychiatric examination in 1990. Mental disorders, especially alcohol addiction and schizophrenic disorders, were recorded among 40 (77%). After four years the residential situation and the number and duration of psychiatric hospitalisations was recorded for 42 of these men. 33 of them mentally ill and 9 with no mental disorders. The four-year follow-up revealed that half the mentally ill men were still living in a homeless environment or had died, whereas most users with no mental disorder had a home of their own again. Longer-term hospitalisation or guardianship was found to have a favourable impact on social integration of the homeless mentally ill. Although psychiatric help without the consent of those concerned cannot solve the social problem of homelessness, it can often improve the living situation of homeless mentally ill patients.