Mental Illness, Homelessness, And Competency: Case Study

The lack of mental health services available to the mentally-ill and the deinstitutionalization of mental health hospitals have created a public health concern. These issues along with a failed continuum of care plans and a lack of community mental health services have been major contributing factors to homelessness. In addition, the strict guidelines for psychiatric hospitalization are critical when analyzing homelessness. In many cases, only the critically ill are meeting clinical criteria for hospitalization, leaving those who have significant mental health problems to fend for themselves. The link between homelessness and mental health is acknowledged but requires reform.

Other housing needs for the mentally ill include specialized in- house primary care, health promotion programmes, open access mental services (accessible to all at any time, missed appointments are also tolerated), assertive management, street based service provision, holistic and generalist support apart from just clinical diagnosis, talking therapies and full access to mainstream services. Most importantly, the housed mentally ill persons have to be shielded from becoming homeless again. Such assurance that they will forever have a comfortable place to stay will relax their minds. This will go a long way in promoting their mental well being (Randall et al. 2006).

One major community health issue that is prominent in society is homelessness. According to Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (2012), homelessness describes the situation of an individual or family who are unstable and cannot afford appropriate and permanent housing. They are unable to acquire suitable shelter due to possible reasons, such as financial issues, mental or physical challenges and discrimination. Most people do not choose to be homeless; however, when individuals are set to live unsheltered, the experience is often negative and stressful. The community aspect found within homelessness refers to society’s failure to ensure that everyone has access to housing. This may be due to inadequate systems, and lack of funding and support offered to people, especially those in troubled situations. Many people who are homeless often experience serious mental and physical health implications as well as a change in their overall well-being. Particular individuals who are at risk of homelessness may be affected by personal risk factors, such as substance misuse and mental illness. However, not only does this issue affect homeless or at risk individuals, but it also affects members of the community. As the population of people living on the streets or in shelters increase, communities are impacted through the increased demand of services and supports.

According to Homeless Link (2010), homeless people are 4 times more likely to suffer from mental health issues, compared to those with stable accommodation (Homeless Link, 2010). Generally, homelessness can be described as a situation where a person is ejected from his or her home due to economic problems or illness. In addition, homelessness can contribute to the cause of most mental health issues which can sometimes result in homeless people with mental health issues facing extreme forms of social exclusion (The Queen’s Nursing Institute, 2012). Nevertheless, Bhugra (2007) argues that most people who had no mental illness develop mental health issues while homeless because of the trauma and experience associated to homelessness, this can be disempowering and can result in severe isolation. Furthermore, Bhugra (2007) concluded that ‘not all individuals with mental illness are homeless and not all homeless individuals are mentally ill’. Shelter (2007) highlighted the possible link between homelessness and mental health which showed the effects homelessness has on the mental health of homeless people with street sleepers and rough sleepers been severely affected (Shelter, 2007).

Mental illness has played a pretty big role on homeless people and families. Researchers have said that most homeless people across the United States suffer from a mental illness. In the book The Glass Castle written by Jeannette Walls, there were multiple signs of mental illness within the author's parents. Homelessness can be caused by many reasons, but one of the main reasons for homelessness is mental illness. It is very likely that a person could have a mental illness before becoming homeless.

Homelessness as a result of deinstitutionalization in the US increased dramatically, tripling in 182 cities over the court of the 1980s (Bagenstos, 2012). In addition, mental health and substance abuse is a major problem in across the country because of homelessness. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,20 to 25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from some form of severe mental illness (DMHAS, 2014). Consequently, mental illnesses disrupt people’s ability to carry out key aspects of daily life, such as self-care and household responsibilities. As a result of these factors and the stresses of living with a mental disorder, people with mentally illnesses are much more likely to become homeless than the general population (Karger, & Stoesz, 2014). Even if homeless individuals with mental illnesses are provided with housing, they are unlikely to achieve residential stability and remain off the streets unless they have access to continued treatment and services. In Connecticut there are a number of housing options that are in place like supportive housing. Research has shown that supported housing is effective for people with mental illnesses (DMHAS, 2014). Unfortunately, in Connecticut, lack of funding is a significant barrier to the successful implementation of supported housing programs. Because of homelessness people cycle between street corner, jail cell and hospital beds, in addition the homeless who are

There are programs that can help these individual and families. People can get help though their local Human Services Department. The Human services provides aid to low income families and individuals. Some of these services include, housing, referrals for food pantry, emergency shelters, and outreach centers. Low income families and individual that qualified for these programs can include; single individuals, couples, families with children, elderly, veterans, and single mothers. Here is some information for programs for the homeless the State Rental Allowance Program (RAP) is a rent assistance program for the homeless that aid families and individuals. This program will help these individuals with temporary rent assistance for approximately

The problems of homelessness and mental illness are inextricably intertwined. One way that mental illness impacts people's lives is that it oftentimes renders them unable to carry out the functions of daily life, such as keeping a job, paying their bills, and managing a household. In addition to disrupting the events of daily life, mental illness "may also prevent people from forming and maintaining stable relationships or cause people to misinterpret others' guidance and react irrationally" (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). What this means is that a population that is already vulnerable because of an inability to consistently manage self-care lacks the same safety net as much of the rest of society.

Have you ever wondered what happens to war vets when they return home from the front lines? Some of the outcomes are not as happy as most people would like them to be. War veterans that survive come home with Mental Illnesses and other issues. Many war veterans end up homeless because of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and some are even living with the homeless men and women at shelters because they cannot receive the help they need from the government. In a study from a Research Brief in 2012, “Veteran and non-veteran participants were compared in a nationally-supported housing initiative for chronically homeless adults. Veterans were not found to be at increased risk for adverse outcomes once

Those who are homeless, living in poverty with no work, food, or shelter, have to go through many obstacles in their lifestyle. They are more susceptible to suffer from many mental disorders, from Bipolar to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which are often due to the personal experiences of not only their childhood, but their lifestyle of homelessness. While many choose to live in their own distinctive ways, others are bound to it. Being isolated, with no real love and care from other people, most importantly, your family can cause the reasoning behind the mental disorders people suffer.

The United States has many undoubtedly beautiful places. But many if not all states in the U.S share a common problem, and that problem is the rise of people falling into the dark abyss of losing their homes and jobs. Many people have a tough time helping the homeless because they believe that they are lazy and choose to not get a job, but I believe that, that is not the problem. Some believe that giving a homeless man a couple of bucks is helping them, but I want to make a club in which a homeless person isn't only helped for a day, but rather a lifetime. I have once heard a man,tell his son that if he wants to help someone in need of a drink to not just simply give him lemonade, teach him how to make lemonade so that he will never again be

The current social welfare issue that I chose to explore is homelessness within Canada. First, this essay will give a brief description of homelessness. Secondly, it will describe how homelessness relates to some concepts and theories that we learned in this course Introduction to Social Welfare, it will also look at what may have happened to people facing homelessness one hundred years ago, next we will explore a possible solution to this social issue and where this fits within the political ideologies. Finally, I will give a brief explanation on whether social media is an effective tool for bringing about awareness regarding social issues.

Providing mental health along with assessments in homeless shelters is huge! I think it is amazing that you brought this up, it seems like this subject should be common sense to social workers. This is the absolute best way for many of the people in the homeless community to receive mental health services, as many homeless people have no idea where to begin when it comes to getting mental health services and a lot of them do not even realize they need help. The majority of the homeless population suffers from concurrent mental and substance use disorders, leading them to have more frequent use of emergency department and inpatient hospital services costing taxpayers. The crazy piece to this is it would actually be cheaper by millions of dollars

What causes homelessness? Is homelessness the result of job loss? Does it result from drug and alcohol addiction? Just who are the homeless? The homeless are a mixture of people with many different problems. Many of them are mentally ill patients released from institutions. Some are single women with children. As John Grisham stated, 40% are substance abusers (Grisham 14). Some of the homeless want and need help, but to others being homeless is a conscious choice.

Kathy and Raymond have visits one day per week for two hours per day. Worker supervises these visits once per month. The first visit this worker will be supervising is on November 23, 2016. These visits occur at the Godfrey, Illinois McDonalds play place, but were taking place outside in the community prior to this when the weather is nicer. During the last supervised visit the case assistant observed Raymond reading the newspaper. The tried children interact with the case assistant; the case assistant redirects the children to interact with Kathy and Raymond. Johnathan spent most of the visit in the play place and Zoey spent most of the visit on the tablet. Raymond left the visit and returned 20 minutes later telling Kathy “they (the children)