Psychiatric services in sheltered and supported housing

Subject Providing care and support for individuals with severe mental illness in sheltered and supported housing facilities is frequently characterized by difficult courses, particularly if it concerns residents with "heavy user" profiles. These individuals oftentimes change their residence and are extensively hospitalized on acute psychiatric wards. To date, little is known about the needs of providers of sheltered and supported housing concerning cooperation with psychiatric hospitals and support by psychiatric services. Methods An explorative survey was conducted among the sheltered and supported housing facilities in the canton of Zurich. A short questionnaire was distributed among all 140 institutions in written form. The responses were analyzed thematically with respect to four predefined categories. Results Fifty-six institutions providing 1,600 places (about 50 % of the capacity in the canton of Zurich) responded. Experiences and problems with the focus group of residents as well as causes for problematic courses are described. A sound working routine with the psychiatric hospitals was considered as a precondition for the provision of high quality housing support. The needs concerned regular and flexible cooperation with psychiatric hospitals as well as open communication in particular at discharge from the clinic and intake at the housing facility. Conclusions Concentration of competencies and knowledge within psychiatric hospitals about sheltered housing institutions and their needs could improve service provision and may result in higher certitude of housing facilities. Thereby, their ability to manage patients with severe mental illness could be improved and extensive hospitalization of individuals from this group could be reduced.