Homelessness & Mental Disorder
In the United States, about 700,000 people are homeless on a given night, and while only 5 percent of the general population suffers from mental illness, 20 to 25 percent of homeless people have some type of mental illness, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This is a growing problem that needs to be addressed: no person should sleep on the streets just because he or she has an illness, which is often treatable.
Significance
This is not just a problem for health professionals; it is a problem that affects the general public as well. By not getting the right treatment for their conditions, people who end up homeless cost the public millions of dollars. Without suitable care, more people relapse after treatment or spend more time in prison.
Types
The most common form of illness that homeless people suffer from is substance abuse addiction. About half of the 20 to 25 percent of homeless who have a mental illness have a drug or alcohol problem.
Other mental illnesses that commonly manifest comorbidly with homelessness are depression and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Untreated illnesses are often the cause of poverty and homelessness. People do not have the health care they need to treat their illness or they do not have the means of supporting themselves because of their illness.
Misconceptions
People who are homeless do not "deserve" to be, and did not cause their situation because they are "lazy." Most people suffer from substance abuse, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression or personality disorders and do not have access to health care, or do not have the resources to obtain health care or support themselves. Once homeless, it becomes even more difficult for people to manage their illness. Organizations like the National Alliance to End Homelessness are working to provide resources that can prevent and reduce homelessness.
Prevention/Solution
Homeless shelters that provide mental health treatment and a positive support system are effective resources. An increased number of health care teams that can provide both substance abuse and broader mental health treatment are also needed. Increased awareness and education are important.
Supportive housing services allow people with mental illness to move directly into residential housing from treatment clinics or from the street. This allows them a safe environment in which to recover and is less costly to the public. Homelessness can be prevented by providing people with a place to live after discharge from a clinic. And short-term intervention programs help make the transition into a community smoother.
Potential
The National Health Care for the Homeless Council is an organization of agencies and individuals that work toward reforming the health care system to better serve people who are homeless and to prevent homelessness.
Tags: health care, mental illness, people homeless, substance abuse, their illness