Mental health supported accommodation services in England and in Italy: a comparison
Authors/Creators
- 1. Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, University of Verona, AOUI, Verona, Italy
- 2. IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
- 3. Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy Verona Hospital Trust, AOUI, Verona, Italy
- 4. Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
- 5. Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
Description
Abstract
Purpose England and Italy are considered pioneers in the development of community mental health services. Both have implemented supported accommodation services for those with more complex needs, which can be broadly categorized into three main types with a similar specifications. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics of these services and their users in England and Italy.
Methods Data from two cross-sectional surveys of supported accommodation services undertaken across England and in Verona, Italy (England—619 service users from 87 services; Verona—167 service users from 25 services) were compared.
Results Service users in the two samples had similar socio-demographic and clinical characteristics; most were male, unmarried, and unemployed, with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychosis and over 15 years of contact with mental health services. Supported accommodation occupancy was high in both samples. The actual length of stay was greater than the expected length of stay for all three service types but overall turnover was similar between countries (p=0.070). Across services, total needs and quality of life were higher for Italian compared to English service users (p<0.001 for both) but, unmet needs were lower amongst English service users (p<0.001). Around 40% in both samples moved to more independent accommodation successfully within 30 months.
Conclusions England and Italy have similar mental health supported accommodation pathways to assist those with more complex needs to gain skills for community living, but individuals tend to require longer than expected at each stage.
Files
Restricted
The record is publicly accessible, but files are restricted. <a href="https://zenodo.org/account/settings/login?next=https://zenodo.org/records/3965811">Log in</a> to check if you have access.
Request access
If you would like to request access to these files, please fill out the form below.
You need to satisfy these conditions in order for this request to be accepted:
Ask directly to the authors the paper
You are currently not logged in. Do you have an account? Log in here