@article{ref1,
title="Perspectives of community members on homeless people with mental illness in Nsawam, Ghana",
journal="International journal of social psychiatry",
year="2020",
author="Abekah-Carter, Kwamina and Oti, George Ofosu",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Homelessness among people with mental illness has grown to become a  common phenomenon in many developed and developing countries. Just like in any other  country, the living conditions of homeless people with mental illness in Ghana are  unwholesome. Despite the increased population of these vulnerable individuals on the  streets, not much is known about the perspectives of the general public towards this  phenomenon in Ghana. <br><br>AIM: This research was conducted to explore the perspectives of  community members on homeless people with mental illness. The main study objectives  were (a) to find out the impacts of the presence of persons with mental illness on  the streets and (b) to ascertain the reasons accounting for homelessness among  persons with mental illness. <br><br>METHOD: Utilizing a qualitative research design, twenty  community members were sampled from selected suburbs in Nsawam and interviewed with  the use of a semi-structured interview guide. The audio data gathered from the  interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. <br><br>RESULTS: Majority of  the participants asserted that homeless people with mental illness had no access to  good food, shelter, and health care. They further stated that some homeless people  with mental illness perpetrated physical and sexual violence against the residents. Moreover, the participants believed that persons with mental illness remained on the  streets due to neglect by their family members, and limited access to psychiatric  services. <br><br>CONCLUSION: This paper concludes by recommending to government to make  mental health services accessible and affordable to homeless persons with mental  illness nationwide.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0020-7640",
doi="10.1177/0020764020984195",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0020764020984195"
}