title: Working with mentally ill homeless persons: should we respect their quest for anonymity?
abstract: In recent years, the homeless population has received much attention as authorities attempt to comprehend this phenomenon and offer solutions. When striving to establish a relationship with the homeless person, many problems arise. We encounter this dilemma when respecting the right of the mentally ill to dwell neglected in the streets and simultaneously observe their inability to comprehend provisions such as housing, shelter, medical and mental care which contribute to their human dignity. The polarities of autonomy versus involuntary treatment are highlighted when treating the homeless population.
authors.affiliation: Abarbanel Mental Health Centre, Bat Yam, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Melamed
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fromer
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kemelman
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Barak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D026706:Paternalism; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations