MENTAL-HEALTH PROBLEMS OF THE EDINBURGH ROOFLESS

Background. The roofless have not been previously surveyed in detail l ooking specifically at their psychiatric status. Method. All roofless people in a discrete area were interviewed in their 'skippers' using a semi-structured interview. Other roofless people helped in case findi ng and diagnostic Validity was confirmed using a computerised case reg ister. Results. Sixty-five people were interviewed. High rates of subs tance abuse (n = 48, 75%), and very low Fates of psychotic illness (n = 2, 3%) were found. High rates of serious physical morbidity, of impr isonment and of being the victim of a crime were found. Conclusion. Th e roofless have multiple severe medical. social, and psychiatric probl ems. These all must be addressed when considering the provision of ser vices.