Serious mental illness (SMI) refers to a category of mental health disorders that significantly impact an individual's thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall functioning to a severe degree. These disorders often interfere with a person's ability to maintain healthy relationships, carry out daily tasks, and navigate life's challenges. Serious mental illnesses typically involve more severe and persistent symptoms compared to milder mental health conditions.

Examples of serious mental illnesses include:

Schizophrenia: A complex disorder characterized by disorganized thoughts, hallucinations, delusions, impaired cognitive functions, and difficulty distinguishing between reality and imagination.

Bipolar Disorder: This disorder involves extreme mood swings, known as episodes of mania and depression. During manic episodes, individuals experience heightened energy levels, impulsivity, and a decreased need for sleep, while depressive episodes bring about deep sadness, loss of interest, and low energy.

Major Depressive Disorder: Also known as clinical depression, this condition is marked by prolonged periods of intense sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable.

Severe Anxiety Disorders: Disorders like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be categorized as serious mental illnesses when their symptoms significantly impair an individual's ability to function and maintain a good quality of life.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): A disorder characterized by unstable relationships, intense mood fluctuations, impulsivity, and a distorted sense of self.

It's important to note that the term "serious mental illness" may vary in its specifics based on cultural, societal, and clinical contexts. A diagnosis of an SMI is typically made by mental health professionals based on established diagnostic criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Treatment for serious mental illnesses often involves a combination of psychotherapy, medication, support from mental health services, and community resources to help manage symptoms and improve the individual's overall well-being and functionality.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a comprehensive and long-term approach to addressing homelessness, particularly among individuals who experience chronic homelessness and have complex needs such as serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and physical health issues. PSH combines affordable housing with supportive services to help individuals maintain stable housing and improve their overall well-being.

Key features of Permanent Supportive Housing include:

Affordable Housing: PSH provides individuals with a stable and permanent place to live. This housing is typically affordable, often subsidized to ensure that the individual's income level (which may be very low) can cover the cost of rent and utilities.

Supportive Services: What sets PSH apart from simply providing housing is the integration of supportive services. These services are tailored to the individual's needs and can include mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, medical care, case management, life skills training, job assistance, and more. The goal is to address the complex challenges that may have contributed to the individual's homelessness and help them regain stability.

Long-Term Solution: PSH is designed to be a long-term solution, recognizing that individuals with chronic homelessness and complex needs require ongoing support to maintain their housing and improve their overall quality of life.

Holistic Approach: The supportive services provided within PSH are often holistic, addressing not only immediate needs but also working to improve mental health, physical health, substance abuse issues, and other challenges that individuals may face.

Collaboration: PSH programs often involve collaboration between housing providers, social service agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that individuals receive a range of services to meet their diverse needs.

Improved Outcomes: Research has shown that Permanent Supportive Housing can lead to significant improvements in housing stability, mental and physical health, substance use, and overall well-being for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and complex needs.

Overall, Permanent Supportive Housing recognizes that homelessness is often a result of a combination of factors, and providing stable housing along with tailored supportive services is crucial for helping individuals break the cycle of homelessness and achieve a better quality of life.

To become a part of the Dave's House permanent supportive program, your initial step involves undergoing an assessment through Aspire Health Partners. All individuals must start their journey with behavioral health management before becoming eligible for a Dave's House. Aspire Health Partners does accommodate walk-ins, or you can schedule an appointment by dialing 407-875-3700 ext. 2. 

After the assessment, if you are eligible, you must participate in transitional housing with Aspire Health Partners. Transitional housing provides individuals with the essential resources and tools to live independently.

Since each individual's journey is unique, there isn't a predetermined timeframe for how long you'll need to remain in transitional housing before becoming eligible to apply for residency in a Dave's House home. The duration depends on your readiness and capacity to lead an independent life.