Grant: Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant: PHSI

While there is a higher incidence of mental illness and addiction among those who are homeless, mental illness and addiction are not necessarily the cause of homelessness. The relationship between homelessness and mental health is mediated by a set of intersecting factors such as age, gender, sexual identity, ethnicity, culture, ability and geography that impact the experiences and needs of those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Yet scant attention has been paid to such factors in the development of homelessness intervention and prevention policies. We aim to examine current research and applied research methodologies that have the potential to direct future research that takes into account social locations and experiences as a means of understanding differences in mental health needs with the ultimate aim of enhancing mental health services, prevention of homelessness and increased housing tenure. Seven academic, public and private sector institutions have agreed to partner to tackle these issues related to mental health and homelessness. The funding sought through this application would aid development of a shared understanding of how homelessness and mental health intersect with age, gender, sexual, orientation, ethnicity, geography and other factors in the formation of key research priorities and selection of research methodologies that will inform future research in this area. Identifying the right research questions and appropriate research methods is key to providing meaningful and transferable knowledge of solutions.