Social, Health and Mental Health Barriers for Care: The Perspective of Providers of Homeless Veterans
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37226/rcp.v7i1.7201Palabras clave:
homeless persons, psychosocial care, veteransResumen
Most veteran homelessness literature focused on homelessness predictors, services provision, housing security, and homelessness experiences. One scarcely studied aspect is the perceptions of service providers in the Veterans Health Administration. Using two Focus Group Interviews in 2016 and 2021 as part of a Plan-Do-Study-Act Quality Improvement Process, the scope of homelessness and issues related to health, mental health, social services use, and recovery were assessed with 22 providers of homeless veterans at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System. Narratives indicated 2 mayor themes (homeless veteran care and factors limiting successful reintegration) and seven minor themes (first approach, OIF/OEF homeless veterans, Stigma, VA and non-VA communication, mental health and substance use, legal problems, and social and life skills). Results highlighted the presence of institutional stigma towards this population that extended to the providers. There is also a shortage of gender appropriate shelters on the island. Providers remarked on providing resources beyond housing to ensure quality of life. Implications of results call for a more integrated view of the Homeless Program with occupational, recreative, health and mental health services, institutional education initiatives to reduce stigma, and a more effective VA and non-VA service coordination.
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Derechos de autor 2023 Naiomi Rivera-Rivera, Beatriz V. Lopez-Gonzalez, Irma L. Molina-Vicenty
Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.
