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Research, Community, & Services PartnershipsFull Access

PRISM: A Shelter-Based Partnership for People Experiencing Homelessness and Severe Mental Illness

Published Online:4 Aug 2021https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000682

Abstract

PRISM (Projet Réaffiliation Itinérance Santé Mentale [Homelessness Mental Health Reaffiliation Project]) is a clinical service developed through partnerships between shelters and the publicly funded Canadian health care system to address the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and severe mental illness in Montreal. It provides inpatient treatment in a shelter setting for 2–3 months while helping clients find housing and appropriate longer-term support services. From program inception in November 2013 to May 2019, 52% of the 579 PRISM clients were in permanent housing after program discharge, 11% were in temporary housing, and 21% were not housed (homeless or incarcerated). In addition, 16% were transferred to inpatient treatment or rehabilitation services, and 85% were referred to and engaged in outpatient or community services.