Why are so many severely mentally still homeless. Community mental health centers are inadequate, underfunded, and are often the victims budget-cutting.
Mentally ill homeless people have special problems for health care workers. They may not be as cooperative and motivated; because of their limited or nonexistence of resources, they may have difficulty getting transportation to treatment centers; they frequently forget to show up for appointments or take medications. Among people with severe mental disorders, those at greatest risk of homelessness are both the most severely ill and the most difficult to help. Many of the homeless mentally ill lack the insight, and do not realize they are sick and they are in need of regular treatment. Others have given up, believing that the system cannot or will not help them.
Most homeless people when asked what their greatest needs were, they listed affordable housing, safety, education, transportation, medical and dental treatment, and job placement. Mental health and substance abuse services were regarded as unimportant.
Solving the problem of the mentally ill homeless cannot be done without resolving the problem of homelessness totally. State institutions for the mentally ill are no longer available by law to help them. The mass closure of state hospitals has caused more homelessness. Food and shelter the basic needs of life versus mental health needs, the homeless and those trying to care for them choose the basic needs.
Many cities in taking action against homeless crisis have criminalized homelessness, which shifts the problem to the over-filled jails. Religious institutions provide shelter and food, and basic needs without addressing the reason why the person is homeless.
A national effort is needed to eliminate homelessness; the problem is get ting worse, particularly in these economic times. The mentally ill homeless have no place to go, no way to provide for themselves and have little hope in the present situation.
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