Comments on: A National Shame: The Mentally Ill Homeless http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/ Living with Health, Wellness and Wholeness Wed, 16 May 2012 17:30:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Jean Grimm http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-26085 Jean Grimm Thu, 03 May 2012 05:04:17 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-26085 We can blame the national trageady on failed policy of President Jimmy Carter on emptying out the patients in State Mental hospitals into the streets.The idea of Outpatient Care is ridiculous for the severely mentally ill-they cannot even get themselves to the treatment centers. My uncle was schizophrenic and bipolar. Family rented him an apt., get him medications, after he was dumped out ofa state mental hospital. He would not take meds, would not stay in his home, and would take off and be homeless. He obviously needed to be in a safe institution in which he was receiving consisitent medication and care. We can blame the national trageady on failed policy of President Jimmy Carter on emptying out the patients in State Mental hospitals into the streets.The idea of Outpatient Care is ridiculous for the severely mentally ill-they cannot even get themselves to the treatment centers. My uncle was schizophrenic and bipolar. Family rented him an apt., get him medications, after he was dumped out ofa state mental hospital. He would not take meds, would not stay in his home, and would take off and be homeless. He obviously needed to be in a safe institution in which he was receiving consisitent medication and care.

]]> By: Tammy http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-25840 Tammy Wed, 04 Apr 2012 03:00:42 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-25840 I am a manager of a large apartment complex, and also happen to have a master's in counseling-psychology; today a 21 year-old man was sleeping outside of my apartment door in shorts (this is Minnesota) in early April. I threw my schedule out the window when I discovered he was homeless... and obviously mentally ill. He told of leaving a treatment program... and that he was thrown out of the Salvation Army because he "wrecked the toilets". He was calm with me... and I was determined to get him help. I called the police... they would do nothing.... not even a ride to a different church-run program. I called the county and talked to a social worker. He brushed me off, saying there was no program in place to help someone like this... because of budget cuts. They would not come and get him either. My husband and I decided to give him a ride to the church-run program. I went through hoops to get in to talk to the pastor who runs it (the doors were all locked)... he wouldn't take him either because he wasn't on medication... and he would need to apply to have housing there. There was a meal at 5 pm, however. It was only 9 am. He advised me to bring him to the emergency room to see if they would admit him. However... he warned me they would probably just release him back to the streets. He could then walk back at 5 for a meal. Nice. We took him to the emergency room... I gave him a pep talk, and watched him be sent to the waiting area with over 20 other patients. I felt like I was leaving a child at a daycare for the first time... and wasn't so sure about the place. His face will haunt me always. I am angry. I am sad. I am sick that our society has nothing in place for people with mental illness who need a hand to get off the streets. I am a manager of a large apartment complex, and also happen to have a master’s in counseling-psychology; today a 21 year-old man was sleeping outside of my apartment door in shorts (this is Minnesota) in early April. I threw my schedule out the window when I discovered he was homeless… and obviously mentally ill. He told of leaving a treatment program… and that he was thrown out of the Salvation Army because he “wrecked the toilets”. He was calm with me… and I was determined to get him help. I called the police… they would do nothing…. not even a ride to a different church-run program. I called the county and talked to a social worker. He brushed me off, saying there was no program in place to help someone like this… because of budget cuts. They would not come and get him either. My husband and I decided to give him a ride to the church-run program. I went through hoops to get in to talk to the pastor who runs it (the doors were all locked)… he wouldn’t take him either because he wasn’t on medication… and he would need to apply to have housing there. There was a meal at 5 pm, however. It was only 9 am. He advised me to bring him to the emergency room to see if they would admit him. However… he warned me they would probably just release him back to the streets. He could then walk back at 5 for a meal. Nice. We took him to the emergency room… I gave him a pep talk, and watched him be sent to the waiting area with over 20 other patients. I felt like I was leaving a child at a daycare for the first time… and wasn’t so sure about the place. His face will haunt me always. I am angry. I am sad. I am sick that our society has nothing in place for people with mental illness who need a hand to get off the streets.

]]> By: Ed http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-25727 Ed Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:16:02 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-25727 As I read this I am volunteering as an overnight host at a homeless shelter. I am surfing on my iPad as the homeless guests are sleeping in the other room. My wife and I have been volunteering here for many years (our church is used for a shelter during the winter months). My concern is that my heart is growing hardened. I see many of the same people that have been here for years. They don't want help...or they don't accept it. My estimation is that at least 80% of the people here tonight have mental illness. They need to be in an institution. They need consistent structure, medicine, nutrition, healthcare and safety. There used to be a 3000 bed mental hospital a few miles from here. It closed 20 years ago...why? I can't help these people the way they need it. Sure, I'll make them breakfast in a few hours and give them clean socks and a toothbrush. I treat them with respect and dignity...it's not enough. We need to reopen the mental institutions and give these people a chance at recovery. As I read this I am volunteering as an overnight host at a homeless shelter. I am surfing on my iPad as the homeless guests are sleeping in the other room. My wife and I have been volunteering here for many years (our church is used for a shelter during the winter months). My concern is that my heart is growing hardened. I see many of the same people that have been here for years. They don’t want help…or they don’t accept it. My estimation is that at least 80% of the people here tonight have mental illness. They need to be in an institution. They need consistent structure, medicine, nutrition, healthcare and safety. There used to be a 3000 bed mental hospital a few miles from here. It closed 20 years ago…why? I can’t help these people the way they need it. Sure, I’ll make them breakfast in a few hours and give them clean socks and a toothbrush. I treat them with respect and dignity…it’s not enough. We need to reopen the mental institutions and give these people a chance at recovery.

]]> By: Lisa http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-25564 Lisa Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:30:52 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-25564 I was reading Skye's post and wanted to comment. I have a very early comment (like 2 years ago) and have some experience with mental illness as my brother became sick in his teens and is now in his 50's. The sad truth is that you cannot force treatment on anyone with a mental illness and many times the person who has the illness isn't aware (fully) of what's wrong because they are in the grip of it: the sad consequence of a brain illness. Also, many times they will self-medicate with drugs or alcohol which can aggravate their situation and state of mind. I tried over and over and over but could not get my brother treatment and in fact the laws favor him and not loving relatives. (See my previous comment and you'll understand) Skye, my suggestion is to offer kindness. So many people turn away from the mentally ill. They have lots of compassion for cancer suffers or someone with a broken leg but for some reason very little for someone suffering a brain illness. It's almost like every part of the body can fail but not the brain. If you have Alzheimer's then yes, there is compassion but if you're schizophrenic no way! I will say, however, that when someone is ill with a brain illness they can be temperamental and unpredictable - that is my direct experience, so I wouldn't exactly invite him home with me but I would offer kindness. Kindness first, always and last. It can be as simple as a smile or saying hello. Seeing the person as a person. Skye, the fact that you even care enough to post your thoughtful story shows me you're ahead of many, many people. Many blessings to you on your journey and many blessings to that young man; after all he is some mother's son who got sick and lost his way. I'm so glad that you have awareness and compassion for him and others. I was reading Skye’s post and wanted to comment. I have a very early comment (like 2 years ago) and have some experience with mental illness as my brother became sick in his teens and is now in his 50′s.

The sad truth is that you cannot force treatment on anyone with a mental illness and many times the person who has the illness isn’t aware (fully) of what’s wrong because they are in the grip of it: the sad consequence of a brain illness. Also, many times they will self-medicate with drugs or alcohol which can aggravate their situation and state of mind. I tried over and over and over but could not get my brother treatment and in fact the laws favor him and not loving relatives. (See my previous comment and you’ll understand)

Skye, my suggestion is to offer kindness. So many people turn away from the mentally ill. They have lots of compassion for cancer suffers or someone with a broken leg but for some reason very little for someone suffering a brain illness. It’s almost like every part of the body can fail but not the brain. If you have Alzheimer’s then yes, there is compassion but if you’re schizophrenic no way!

I will say, however, that when someone is ill with a brain illness they can be temperamental and unpredictable – that is my direct experience, so I wouldn’t exactly invite him home with me but I would offer kindness. Kindness first, always and last. It can be as simple as a smile or saying hello. Seeing the person as a person.

Skye, the fact that you even care enough to post your thoughtful story shows me you’re ahead of many, many people. Many blessings to you on your journey and many blessings to that young man; after all he is some mother’s son who got sick and lost his way. I’m so glad that you have awareness and compassion for him and others.

]]> By: Skye http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-25555 Skye Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:42:43 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-25555 I first saw him about a year ago in the library. A nice looking young man in his mid twenties, he told me my backpack was unzipped. He was sitting in one of the chairs as I was making my way through the stacks searching for a book. I had it open to easily drop books in as I found them, but I thanked him for trying to alert and try to help me. After that, I'd see him around town now and again, and I realized he must be one of the many homeless people who congregated nearby the library downtown. Then one morning last year, I saw him wonder out into a downtown street, he didn't have a shirt on and he was muttering to himself. He almost walked out into a car which laid on it's horn. He seemed disoriented. It frightened me for him; I knew he needed help. I called 911 to see if someone would locate him and check on what was wrong before he got hurt in that state. I worried about him and didn't see him for a long time. Was he okay? Would he ever be okay? Later that summer in the sweltering heat of 100 degree days, I saw him again downtown. He was muttering and walking aimlessly on the sidewalk. He actually circled and passed me twice as I made my way to my car. At one point he leaned against a street pole and wiped the sweat away from his head. It was so hot outside! How would anyone cope when they had no home to escape to out of that heat. I was so sad for him and all of the homeless people in that situation. A few days ago, I saw him again, sitting downtown on a street curb. He was muttering and visibly twitching. My heart broke for him. I don't have a clue what I could do to help his situation. He doesn't have a clue that anyone in the world he doesn't know cares about his plight. I am sure he is one of the homeless, and perhaps has an addiction problem, perhaps he has schizophrenia. I can see that he has a life of distress. He is an attractive young man who could have a life of meaning instead of one on the streets, but for some reason he has ended up in this very bad situation. I worry what will ultimately become of him, can he be saved? What can we do, what can I do to help? I am in a quandry as to how to help? I know this society has become hardened and cold toward helping anyone in need and as the article states, often it is hard to help those who obviously need help. We have politicians who want to put an end to any humane services, whether healthcare, education or the lot, so I don't see how these very vulnerable people can receive needed care unless they do have loving relatives who are willing to go the extra mile for them. I wish I had an answer. I wish I knew how I could help make changes to help this one young man and the very many others who need strangers to make some kind of difference to help. But I do not have a clue how I can. I first saw him about a year ago in the library. A nice looking young man in his mid twenties, he told me my backpack was unzipped. He was sitting in one of the chairs as I was making my way through the stacks searching for a book. I had it open to easily drop books in as I found them, but I thanked him for trying to alert and try to help me. After that, I’d see him around town now and again, and I realized he must be one of the many homeless people who congregated nearby the library downtown. Then one morning last year, I saw him wonder out into a downtown street, he didn’t have a shirt on and he was muttering to himself. He almost walked out into a car which laid on it’s horn. He seemed disoriented. It frightened me for him; I knew he needed help. I called 911 to see if someone would locate him and check on what was wrong before he got hurt in that state. I worried about him and didn’t see him for a long time. Was he okay? Would he ever be okay? Later that summer in the sweltering heat of 100 degree days, I saw him again downtown. He was muttering and walking aimlessly on the sidewalk. He actually circled and passed me twice as I made my way to my car. At one point he leaned against a street pole and wiped the sweat away from his head. It was so hot outside! How would anyone cope when they had no home to escape to out of that heat. I was so sad for him and all of the homeless people in that situation.
A few days ago, I saw him again, sitting downtown on a street curb. He was muttering and visibly twitching. My heart broke for him. I don’t have a clue what I could do to help his situation. He doesn’t have a clue that anyone in the world he doesn’t know cares about his plight. I am sure he is one of the homeless, and perhaps has an addiction problem, perhaps he has schizophrenia. I can see that he has a life of distress. He is an attractive young man who could have a life of meaning instead of one on the streets, but for some reason he has ended up in this very bad situation. I worry what will ultimately become of him, can he be saved? What can we do, what can I do to help? I am in a quandry as to how to help? I know this society has become hardened and cold toward helping anyone in need and as the article states, often it is hard to help those who obviously need help. We have politicians who want to put an end to any humane services, whether healthcare, education or the lot, so I don’t see how these very vulnerable people can receive needed care unless they do have loving relatives who are willing to go the extra mile for them. I wish I had an answer. I wish I knew how I could help make changes to help this one young man and the very many others who need strangers to make some kind of difference to help. But I do not have a clue how I can.

]]> By: Many Mental Illnesses Among the Homeless Go Untreated « Family Guidance Center http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-25097 Many Mental Illnesses Among the Homeless Go Untreated « Family Guidance Center Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:19:26 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-25097 [...] of these individuals are suffering from a severe mental illness, as highlighted in a recent online article.  Many are living with adult mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe [...] [...] of these individuals are suffering from a severe mental illness, as highlighted in a recent online article.  Many are living with adult mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe [...]

]]> By: Forbidden Truth #137: Warts | Serial Jones http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-24778 Forbidden Truth #137: Warts | Serial Jones Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:07:53 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-24778 [...]  A National Shame:  The Mentally Ill Homeless [...] [...]  A National Shame:  The Mentally Ill Homeless [...]

]]> By: 57nomad http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-24484 57nomad Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:22:00 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-24484 The article mentions the real reason for the amount of mentally ill homeless. It began in the early '70's along with many other 'liberation' movements. With the introduction of anti-psychotic drugs well-meaning but ignorant people concluded that forced institutionalization was equivalent to the incarceration of the innocent. Because, they reasoned, that the medication available alleviated the psychosis and hence the institutionalization was unjustified and it was they who forced the closure of the institutions. What they did not take into account was that the medications only work for a few hours at a time and require the patient to take them on a regular schedule. Once released, these patients, because of the very symptoms that led to their original diagnosis, extreme paranoia, for example, simply refused to take their medication and we promptly seized by their psychosis soon after they were released. But, there were no longer any legal means of or reinstitutionalizing them and the centers themselves were closed. Bad move all around. The article mentions the real reason for the amount of mentally ill homeless. It began in the early ’70′s along with many other ‘liberation’ movements. With the introduction of anti-psychotic drugs well-meaning but ignorant people concluded that forced institutionalization was equivalent to the incarceration of the innocent. Because, they reasoned, that the medication available alleviated the psychosis and hence the institutionalization was unjustified and it was they who forced the closure of the institutions.

What they did not take into account was that the medications only work for a few hours at a time and require the patient to take them on a regular schedule. Once released, these patients, because of the very symptoms that led to their original diagnosis, extreme paranoia, for example, simply refused to take their medication and we promptly seized by their psychosis soon after they were released. But, there were no longer any legal means of or reinstitutionalizing them and the centers themselves were closed. Bad move all around.

]]> By: Susay A Shafer http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-24155 Susay A Shafer Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:04:56 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-24155 Volunteering is not enough! Please do not get me wrong. I know how much volunteers are appreciated by those individuals they help. Its the laws that need to be changed! Allowing mentally ill people to wander the streets should be the real crime! These people do not have a chance (even with volunteers) to pull themselves out of the gutter they have been thrown in. I have three mentally ill siblings living on the streets today. They are living half in this world and half in a fantasy world of thier minds creation. 90% of the time they are scared do death. Imagine living in "Nightmare on Elm Street" and you will only visualize what they are actually feeling. My heart is broken for them and everyone in thier situation. I know there are people that hate me when I give them my answer... I believe there should be a three strike law for those who refuse to take thier medications. If only they would take thier medications they could be higher functioning and possibly get off the streets. But thier mental illness impares thier ability to actually recognize they are sick. Today I will be dealing with a Gym that I pay for a membership so that my youngest brother can take a shower and use a toilett. I am sure they are calling to cancel his membership.... he has probably had another outburst (which he cannot control). He had open heart surgery last year.. a quadrupal bypass. He was in the hospital all of December and half of January. The rehab center released him onto the streets with no place to go. They said thier responsiblity to him ended when he could walk with a walker 200 feet! He refuses to take medication for his illness and therefor he cannot live with me. Back to the issue at hand is how to end homelessness. There is not a "cure" for this epidemic that does not involve changing some very "stupid" laws. Volunteering is not enough! Please do not get me wrong. I know how much volunteers are appreciated by those individuals they help. Its the laws that need to be changed! Allowing mentally ill people to wander the streets should be the real crime! These people do not have a chance (even with volunteers) to pull themselves out of the gutter they have been thrown in. I have three mentally ill siblings living on the streets today. They are living half in this world and half in a fantasy world of thier minds creation. 90% of the time they are scared do death. Imagine living in “Nightmare on Elm Street” and you will only visualize what they are actually feeling. My heart is broken for them and everyone in thier situation. I know there are people that hate me when I give them my answer… I believe there should be a three strike law for those who refuse to take thier medications. If only they would take thier medications they could be higher functioning and possibly get off the streets. But thier mental illness impares thier ability to actually recognize they are sick. Today I will be dealing with a Gym that I pay for a membership so that my youngest brother can take a shower and use a toilett. I am sure they are calling to cancel his membership…. he has probably had another outburst (which he cannot control). He had open heart surgery last year.. a quadrupal bypass. He was in the hospital all of December and half of January. The rehab center released him onto the streets with no place to go. They said thier responsiblity to him ended when he could walk with a walker 200 feet! He refuses to take medication for his illness and therefor he cannot live with me. Back to the issue at hand is how to end homelessness. There is not a “cure” for this epidemic that does not involve changing some very “stupid” laws.

]]> By: sciencejungle11 http://anxietypanichealth.com/2008/10/15/a-national-shame-the-mentally-ill-homeless/comment-page-2/#comment-23866 sciencejungle11 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 08:17:23 +0000 http://anxietypanichealth.com/?p=499#comment-23866 [...] reason for the unreasonable actions of many homeless people is caused by a mental illness.  About 45-50 of the homeless suffer from some kind of mental illness.  The most common mental illness the homeless suffer from [...] [...] reason for the unreasonable actions of many homeless people is caused by a mental illness.  About 45-50 of the homeless suffer from some kind of mental illness.  The most common mental illness the homeless suffer from [...]

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