노숙인 정신건강서비스 현황과 쟁점

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the appropriateness of the mental health program for the homeless in Korea. It was reviewed through previous research materials about homelessness that mental illness problem among the homeless persons was serious and especially deinstitutionalized homeless persons took very weak mental health support. Case management model ACT or CTI were proved to be helpful for the discharged persons from mental health institution. In Korea, despite the high prevalence of mental illness, most homeless persons do not use existing mental health system. Mental health service for homeless including rehabilitation shelter is insufficient quantitatively and poor qualitatively. Community mental health system for general population do not deal with mental health problem of the homeless. The lack of case management for the homeless person discharged from homeless shelter create the vicious circle of street living and sheltering. As a results, very few mental illness homeless person return to normal community living. Based on recent medical research about mortality of the homeless, many mental illness homeless persons are proved to be in high risk of one's life without appropriate case management. It was suggested that system integration between the welfare service program for the homeless and community mental health should be prepared. And case management at the community level for the mental illness homeless discharged from shelter or mental health institution should be critical.