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The Role of Mental Illness in Contributing to Homelessness in Trinidad and Tobago

Mar 8, 2024 | Views:208859  | Print Version

Office of Research, Impact and Postgraduate Studies

presents

The Role of Mental Illness in Contributing to Homelessness in Trinidad and Tobago

by
Ms. Keisha Lewis
The objective of this study was to explore the role of mental illness in the experience of homelessness from the perspectives of the mentally ill, their relatives, and professional informants. Purposive sampling was utilised to recruit ten (10) inpatients of a psychiatric hospital, six (6) relatives of mentally ill patients, and five (5) social work and mental health professionals, all participants under 18 years. An interpretivist epistemology influenced the choice of a case study research design. Data was collected via semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews to capture the experiences of the mentally ill and their relatives regarding the patients’ vulnerability to homelessness, and the professionals’ perceptions about the risk for homelessness among the mentally ill. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
 
Results show themes relating to a lack of support, stigmatisation, and discrimination among the mentally ill group which they felt predisposed them to homelessness. Except for one, all relatives admitted that they could not care for and accommodate their mentally ill relatives. Health professionals believed that poor advocacy and limited housing options placed mentally ill persons at a greater risk for homelessness.
 
In conclusion, mentally ill persons are at an increased risk for homelessness when combined with factors such as reduced family support, stigmatisation, discriminatory practices, and limited housing opportunities. Greater support and education of all stakeholders are necessary to better treat mental illness and reduce the vulnerability of the mentally ill to becoming homeless. Interagency collaboration is also required to identify housing options and thereby, minimise the risk of homelessness among the mentally ill.

Friday 8th March 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

 

Ms Keisha Lewis graduated with an Associate in Science Degree in Psychiatric Nursing from the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) in 2000. She migrated to the United Kingdom in 2002 to gain further experience in the field of mental health and returned to Trinidad in 2014. She possesses a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mental Health Studies and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Leadership and Management in Public Services from the University of Hertfordshire, UK. In 2017, she completed the PAHO/WHO Advanced Course on Innovation and Implementation of Mental Health Policies and Care Delivery.

She is registered with the Nursing Council of Trinidad and Tobago as well as the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK. Over the past twenty-two years, Ms Lewis has worked in various clinical and management settings. She is currently employed in the position of General Manager, Mental Health Services at the North West Regional Health Authority, where she leads, manages, and provides oversight of the development, delivery, and monitoring of mental health services. She is currently involved in mental health advocacy and promotion and is particularly interested in mental health research and policy development.

 

 

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