The residential needs and preferences of persons with serious mental illness: a comparison of consumers and family members.

This study reports on a systematic statewide effort to determine the residential needs and preferences of two important groups: primary consumers of mental health services and family members of consumers. Two comparable surveys regarding the residential needs of consumers were conducted. In all, 314 consumers and 459 family members participated in the survey. A comparison of the preferences of family members and consumers suggests that family members more often prefer congregate living situations and more staff support than do consumers. Consumers more often express a desire to reside by themselves without staff and without other persons who are mentally ill. While the direct comparison of preferences from these two constituencies has limitations, these data do suggest significant variability in needs and preferences voiced by consumers and their family members; discrepancies that need to be addressed by mental health policymakers and planners.