For the direct link to information on the new CIHI/CPHI report on Mental
Health and Homelessness go to:
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=PG_910_E&cw_topic=910
&cw_rel=AR_1730_E
Mental disorders account for more than half of hospital stays among the
homeless in Canada
New Canadian Institute for Health Information CIHI report offers
overview of links between mental health, mental illness and
homelessness, with the latest research, data on hospital use by homeless
Canadians, surveys and policy initiatives.
Summary Report (PDF) 152 KB Full Report (PDF) 458 KB
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=download_form_e&cw_sk
u=ITHCMHHPDF&cw_ctt=1&cw_dform=N
The Canadian Population Health Initiative (CPHI) of the Canadian
Institute for Health Information has published the Fall 2007 issue of
Health of the Nation e-newsletter, available, free of charge, at
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/en/downloads/2007_Fall_HN_ENG.pdf
The aim of the newsletter is to expand pan-Canadian understanding of
population health research, policy and knowledge exchange by promoting
CPHI activities across the country.
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From: CPHI [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) is pleased to
announce the publication of our latest report, Improving the Health of
Canadians: Mental Health and Homelessness. This report was developed by
CIHI's Canadian Population Health Initiative (CPHI) as part of its work
on informing policies that improve the health and well-being of
Canadians. This report is the first in a series of three Improving the
Health of Canadians reports addressing mental health that CPHI will
release over the next 18 months.
Mental disorders account for more than half of hospital stays among the
homeless in Canada
New CIHI report offers overview of links between mental health, mental
illness and homelessness
Information on: Improving the Health of Canadians: Mental Health and
Homelessness
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=PG_910_E&cw_topic=910
&cw_rel=AR_1730_E
August 30, 2007-Mental disorders accounted for 52% of acute care
hospitalizations among the homeless in 2005-2006 (outside Quebec),
according to a new report released today by the Canadian Institute for
Health Information (CIHI). In addition, the report shows that 35% of
visits to selected emergency departments (EDs)-mostly in Ontario-by
homeless people were related to mental and behavioural disorders, a
proportion that is higher than that for other patients (3%).
The Improving the Health of Canadians: Mental Health and Homelessness
report provides an overview of the latest research, surveys and policy
initiatives related to mental health and homelessness and, for the first
time, presents data on hospital use by homeless Canadians.
"Mental illness affects a broad range of Canadians; most people with
compromised mental health are not homeless, and many people who are
homeless have never been diagnosed with a mental illness," says Dr.
Jennifer Zelmer, Vice President, Research and Analysis at CIHI.
"However, studies show that people who are homeless are more likely to
suffer from a mental illness or compromised mental health than the
general population."
For example, the leading reasons for hospital use were different for
homeless patients and others. Mental disorders were the most common
diagnoses among homeless patients admitted to an acute care hospital in
2005-2006 (52% of admissions). The most frequent reasons for
hospitalization among other patients were pregnancy and childbirth
(13%). Likewise, 35% of visits by homeless persons to selected EDs
(mostly in Ontario) were related to mental disorders; injury and
poisonings were the most common reasons for ED visits among other
patients (25%). Among ED patients recorded as homeless, the most common
type of mental disorder was substance abuse, which accounted for 54% of
visits (62% for homeless men and 30% for homeless women), followed by
other psychotic disorders (20% of visits), such as schizophrenia.
Homelessness linked with stress, coping, low self-esteem, low levels of
social support and suicide
The report notes many factors both at the individual and broader social
level-such as housing, income and the ability to cope-that have been
shown to contribute to the onset or duration of homelessness. Many of
these same factors are also linked to compromised mental health.
"This report explores the complex relationship between mental health and
homelessness," says Dr. Elizabeth Votta, Program Lead at the Canadian
Population Health Initiative, a program of CIHI. "People with severe
mental illness may experience limited housing, employment and income
options. On the other hand, people who are homeless tend to report
higher stress, lower self-worth, less social support and different
coping strategies, factors that are associated with depressive symptoms,
substance abuse, suicidal behaviours and poor self-rated health."
Research cited in the report indicates that the homeless often
experience more difficulty coping with stress, experience lower
self-esteem and have less social support than people who are not
homeless. For example:
* A study in Ottawa revealed that homeless male youth reported
stress levels more than twice as high as levels reported by a group of
non-homeless youth.
* A study in Kitchener-Waterloo showed that street youth were more
likely to engage in substance abuse and self-harm as a means of coping.
Non-homeless youth were more likely to cope by talking to someone they
trusted or through productive problem-solving.
* A national survey found that 2% of males and 6% of females aged
15 to 24 reported having attempted suicide in Canada. Studies report
higher rates among homeless youth. For example, a 2006 British Columbia
survey indicates that 15% of males and 30% of females who were
street-involved and marginalized reported having attempted suicide at
least once in the previous 12 months.
The report also cites many examples of research linking mental illness
and homelessness. These studies, conducted across Canada with different
methods and over different periods of time, tended to show higher levels
of diagnosed mental illness among people who were homeless than among
the population as a whole. Several studies also indicate that rates of
substance abuse are higher among the homeless than among other
Canadians. Research suggests that homeless individuals with both a
substance abuse disorder and a mental illness diagnosis are likely to
remain homeless longer than others.
Canadian Population Health Initiative
The Canadian Population Health Initiative (CPHI) is part of the Canadian
Institute for Health Information (CIHI). CPHI supports research to
advance knowledge on the determinants of health in Canada and to develop
policy options to improve population health and reduce health
inequalities.
Contact:
Christina Lawand
613-241-7860, ext. 4310
Cell: 613-299-5695
Leona Hollingsworth
613-241-7860, ext. 4140
Cell: 613-612-3914
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