Contact : A. Laporte

The Samenta study was performed on behalf of Paris institutions, to estimate psychiatric disorders and addictions among homeless people in Paris region. The study methodology is based on a 2 stages random sample of users of homeless services in the Paris area.

The questionnaire comprises a mental health and addictions section and various other sections aiming to describe social paths and life conditions. Persons were interviewed by a lay interviewer in the presence of a psychologist. A psychiatrist was called upon in case of clinical signs suggesting a possible psychiatric disorder.

Between February and April 2009, 840 homeless were included. The weighted sample allows to estimate the size of the homeless population, attending social services during the study period, to 21 176 persons [CI95%: 17 582; 24 770].

About one-third of Paris homeless had at least one severe psychiatric disorder: psychotic disorders in 13% of people, severe mood disorders in 7%, and anxiety disorders in 12%. One homeless in five was alcohol dependent and 18% were drug users. The main psychiatric disorders and addictions were encountered mostly in emergency shelters. More than two third of homeless with severe psychiatric disorders had had a contact with a mental health care professional during their life. But at the time of the study, the majority was no more followed. Nevertheless, mental health disorders are not affecting the overall homeless population, let alone for the most severe disorders. This is the same regarding addictions.

Grants : le Haut Commissaire aux Solidarités Actives Contre la pauvreté et à la Jeunesse, l’Institut de Veille Sanitaire, la Direction Générale de la Santé, la Région Ile-de-France, l’Institut National de Prévention et d’Education pour la Santé, la Préfecture de Paris, l’Observatoire National de la Pauvreté et de l’Exclusion Sociale, la Mairie de Paris.

Protocol

Questionnaire

Report

Articles

"La santé mentale et les addictions des personnes sans logement personnel : quelques éclairages issus d’une enquête de prévalence en Ile-de-France", Laporte A., Le Méner E., Chauvin P. Les travaux de l’Observatoire 2009-2010, Paris, ONPES - La Documentation française, 2010, p. 45-66 [sous presse].

"La Santé Mentale et les Addictions chez les personnes sans logement personnel d'Ile-de-France (Samenta) : focus sur les 18-25 ans", Laporte A., Chauvin P., Rhizome, 38, p. 11.