title: Psychiatric disorders in and service use by young homeless people.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine psychiatric morbidity, including substance use disorders, and service use in young people with experience of homelessness.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of 34 new residents in a supported accommodation program in Melbourne. Current and lifetime psychiatric diagnoses were made using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, third edition, revised (DSM-III-R). Use of psychiatric and related services was also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 21 women and 13 men (mean age, 18.1 years; standard deviation, 2.2 years), 50% had a current major DSM-III-R diagnosis, and 82% had a lifetime DSM-III-R diagnosis. The most common diagnoses were alcohol dependence, depressive disorders and cannabis dependence. Co-morbidity was common. Few of the young people had sought or received any treatment for depressive or substance use disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young people with experience of homelessness have a high prevalence of depressive disorders and substance use disorders, particularly alcohol and cannabis dependence. Despite this they have a low rate of service use. These findings suggest a need for closer interaction between mental health professionals and other agencies in the planning and provision of services to young homeless people.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital, Vic.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Herrman
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Neil
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: McNamara
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009017:Morbidity; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation