‘I'm institutionalised … there's not much I can do’: Lived experience of housing related delayed discharge

Abstract

Introduction: Delayed discharge from inpatient mental health units is the continued hospitalisation of consumers after being assessed as ready to be discharged. This is common in adult inpatient mental health services and is usually due to a lack of appropriate housing for discharge. Research indicates a range of possible negative impacts, but no studies have explored consumers' perspectives on this issue. This study explores consumers' perspectives of the experience of housing related delayed discharge (HRDD).Method: Using a grounded theory approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 consumers. All consumers were experiencing HRDD from inpatient mental health units in one Sydney local health district. The data were analysed using constant comparative analysis.Findings: A lack of choice and control was the central theme that characterised participants' experiences. The combined experience of being delayed in hospital and being homeless led to a lack of choice and control over the basics in life, how consumers spent their time and with whom, and their futures. This lack of autonomy was shaped by the features of the hospital and participants' personal circumstance. The hospital features included rules and routines, physical and social environments, resources, and support from staff. Personal circumstances included individual situations, social networks, and support from community organisations. Participants described a variety of impacts, including reduced mental and physical well-being, and anticipated difficulty transitioning back into the community. Conclusion:This study is the first of its kind and provides consumer perspectives on the impacts of HRDD on their well-being and recovery. The inability to participate in meaningful and necessary occupations is an occupational injustice and implies the need for occupational therapists to advocate for both the prevention of HRDD through government investment in affordable and This research received no grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Participants' tokens of appreciation were funded through the Honours Reimbursement Fund provided by the

Predicting Housing Related Delayed Discharge from Mental Health Inpatient Units: A Case Control Study

“…Most importantly, it is detrimental to the people affected. Our qualitative study of the perspectives of people experiencing HRDD from mental health units found that participants reported a pervasive lack of choice and control over ‘the basics in life’, ‘how I spend my time’, ‘who I spend time with’, and ‘my future’, resulting in reduced mental and physical well-being and anticipated difficulty transitioning back into the community (Chua et al, 2022 ). This lack of choice and control represents an infringement of consumers’ rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations, 2006 ), including their rights to: liberty (Article 14); choice of living situation and inclusion in the community (Article 19); and participation in all areas of life (Article 9).…”