Substance Abuse and Mental Health Status of Homeless and Domiciled Low-income Users of a Medical Clinic

Data were collected on indicators of mental health status & substance abuse among 214 homeless & 250 impoverished domiciled patients. Homeless patients were more likely to have been hospitalized or arrested for alcohol or mental problems & were also more likely to have attempted suicide. Findings suggest that primary medical care settings serving the poor & homeless present an opportunity for delivering mental health services & that psychiatrists should expand their involvement in such settings.