The Psychiatrist's Role in Supported Housing

The role of a psychiatrist in relation to supported housing programs for persons with serious psychiatric disability has not been well defined. The psychiatrist clearly has an important role in prescribing medication in a way that supports the client's own goals and in helping arrange for medical care or hospitalization when needed. The psychiatrist's influence can help the community and the client accept supported housing, and the psychiatrist has broad expertise ranging from crisis intervention to transference issues that can be useful to clients and staff At the same time, some professionals and advocates are concerned that a psychiatrist's involvement can interfere with the rehabilitative orientation of supported housing or impose an undue degree of paternalism. Psychiatrists who understand the fundamental values of supported housing and who can tolerate some role ambiguity can greatly assist their clients to live more independent lives in the community.