Assessing The Development Of A Recovery Center Providing Housing And Rehabilitation Support Services To Those With Severe Mental Illness

PI: Robert E. Whitley, Ph.D.
Department of Psychiatry
Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center
Dartmouth Medical School

ASSESSING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RECOVERY CENTER PROVIDING HOUSING AND REHABILITATION SUPPORT SERVICES TO THOSE WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS

The aim of this pilot study is to assess the development of a novel housing and recovery support service for people with severe mental illness in East Harlem, New York City. These services will be delivered in a dedicated center run along the traditions of self help. We label this 'the resource center'. Most services will be delivered by other consumers who are in recovery from severe mental illness, working in collaboration with staff at Pathways to Housing Inc. We will assess development of this center over an 18-month period through qualitative methods, mainly focus groups and participant observation. Research staff will visit the center twice a month to assess development. The study will provide useful data on the trajectory and internal dynamics of a resource center serving people with mental illness and a history of homelessness.