Mental health and homelessness in the social service providers' outlook (Luxembourg case)
| Date | 02 June 2023 |
| Pages | 585-595 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-02-2023-0018 |
| Published date | 02 June 2023 |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Social inclusion |
| Author | Céline Dujardin,Vitalii Klymchuk,Viktoriia Gorbunova |
Mental health and homelessness in the
social service providers’outlook
(Luxembourg case)
C
eline Dujardin, Vitalii Klymchuk and Viktoriia Gorbunova
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explorethe perception of the mental health problems of the
homeless populationin a high-income country (Luxembourg)by social service providers and to develop
proposals for better inclusion of homeless people into themental health services and homeless people
with mentalhealth issues into society.
Design/methodology/approach –The study was of qualitative design and conducted using a semi-
structured interview method (in person). The semi-structured interviews (seven participants) were
conducted to analyse the challenges, practice approaches andprospects of stakeholders or decision-
makers working in housingexclusion and homelessness. A secondary thematic analysis of this content
regardingmental health issues was performed.
Findings –Three main themes in the social providers’ perception were identifiedrelated to mental
health and homelessness: the general view on the mental health problems of homele ss people
(accent on substance use disorders [SUDs], overs hadowing of other mental health conditions by
the SUDs); the positive impact of housing and social serviceson the mental health of the homeless
per se (role of social rhythms, social connectedness and multidisciplinary approach are
emphasised); and the need for improvement of mental health servicesin the country (need for the
long-term timely continuing mental health support an d recognition of the importance of complex
intersectional and multidisciplinary soluti ons).
Research limitations/implications –Mental health themes were not the primary focus while research
was planned and conducted. They were revealed as results of secondary qualitative data analysis.
Therefore, additional mental health-focused mixed methods research is needed to verify the
conclusions. The paper is written on the results of the research project ‘‘Social Housing and
Homelessness’’ (SOHOME), implemented at the University of Luxembourg with the financial support
of the Fonds National de la Recherche of Luxembourg (FNR12626464). The sponsor had no
involvement in the study design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data or the preparation of
the paper.
Practical implications –The study brings together different perspectives from social workers,
stakeholders and decision-makers.The results show that there are cross-field connections between
homelessness and mental health that require specialised and coordinated services. The first
existing approaches seem to be promising in their contin uation but need to be promoted by social
policy.
Social implications –To promote socialcohesion in the Luxembourgish society and also to includeone
of the most vulnerable people,the study points to the importance of the link between homelessnessand
compromised mentalhealth. Appropriate support and service provisionas well as social and affordable
housingplay a central role.
Originality/value –To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind, revealing
several social work stakeholders’ perspective on the mental health of homeless people in
Luxembourg.
Keywords Mental health, Homelessness, Service provision, Housing (First), Inclusion
Paper type Research paper
C
eline Dujardin and
Vitalii Klymchuk are both
based at the Department of
Social Sciences, University
of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-
Alzette, Luxembourg.
Viktoriia Gorbunova is
based at the Department of
Behavioural and Cognitive
Sciences, University of
Luxembourg, Esch-sur-
Alzette, Luxembourg and
Department of Social
Psychology, Zhytomyr Ivan
Franko State University,
Zhytomyr, Ukraine.
DOI 10.1108/MHSI-02-2023-0018 VOL. 28 NO. 5 2024, pp. 585-595, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2042-8308 jMENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL INCLUSION jPAGE 585
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