A case study of involuntary hospitalization of homeless mentally ill adults.
Item
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Title
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A case study of involuntary hospitalization of homeless mentally ill adults.
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Identifier
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AAI9417478
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identifier
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9417478
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Creator
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Itzkowitz, Murray.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Robert Salmon
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Date
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1994
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Social Work
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Abstract
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This case study is an exploration of the three questions of who among the street-dwelling mentally ill in New York City from 1991-1993 were being "designated" for trips to psychiatric emergency rooms; why these individuals are selected for "designation"; and how and when such activity occurs. The study also examines the social policies and statutes that establish the programs and services which are available to assist this vulnerable patient population.;The idea for the study began with the investigator's concern that the increase in the mentally ill among the number of homeless was attributable to statutes that made it too difficult to take people to hospitals against their wishes and the belief that hospitals were turning them away and forcing them into "revolving door" patterns. The investigator's bias also included a belief that there were too few professionals and others engaged in this specialized work and that not enough people in and outside government were concerned with finding solutions to problems which have existed since the era of emptying psychiatric hospitals known as "de-institutionalization".;Four outreach programs in Manhattan have contacted and worked with several thousand undomiciled, mentally ill persons and that utilizing sections of New York State Statutes (9.37 and 9.39) have gotten many patients into hospitals and ongoing treatments. Within the areas served by outreach programs it has become possible, through rapid response, to identify, assess and plan for treatment of homeless mentally ill. It appears that statutes are adequate to insure that those who need hospital care can get it and that only those who need it get this kind of treatment.;The investigator finds there are well-trained dedicated workers who could train others, including police, and recommends that outreach programs be established that are organized and administered by social workers in each community of 100,000 persons. This is similar to the French system of "sectorization" which combines hospital and community-based, coordinate services. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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D.S.W.
