HOMELESSNESS AND SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS IN AMERICA: WHAT THE LITERATURE SAYS

This literature review was conducted to examine the relationship between serious mental illness and persons experiencing homelessness. The problem of homelessness in the United States is of great size; hundreds of thousands of people are homeless on any single night of the year. The problem is further com-plicated when serious mental illness is involved. The current government programs and institutions are unable to sufficiently assist many of these people, and they are left to either be homeless or move through the prison system. The findings of this review indicate that several strategies exist for solving the prob-lem, but they require further research and implementation. Housing programs, preventative care, and a nationwide change of attitude are promising components. Commonalities in research were found, such as appreciation for specific housing programs, and in recognition of deinstitutionalization as a cause of serious mental illness (SMI) among persons experiencing homelessness (PEH). Differences in research were found in the prevalence of SMI among PEH.