Homelessness & mental health Dr Philip Timms Consultant Psychiatrist, START Team Honorary Senior Lecturer, King's College London

The Problem Universal Long-standing Survives changes in governments and periods of relative affluence Seen as purely a housing problem Low political and professional priority

Solutions - Political An economic commitment to reduced social inequality Inclusive social policies Parity of funding for mental health services Integration of housing/health/social services

Solutions - Professional Local commitment Close working with voluntary sector agencies (NGOs) as equal partners National standards Acknowledgement of this as a valid area for research Inter-Professional associations – College of Health Faculty of Homelessness and Social Exclusion – Institute of Street Medicine

Solutions - Practical Assertive Outreach approach Continuous relationship model Critical time interventions Psychologically Informed Environments Evidence of effectiveness

Thank you