PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS SUFFERING BEING HOMELESS
Introduction
This study chronologically traces the history of people with serious mental illness and is homeless. The study examines the significant events that were followed in establishing policies for homeless people. It provides the background behind such occurrences, the government that was in power and the policies put in place. The paper further gives the ideological background that influences such policies. In conclusion, the study will highlight the present circumstances and recommendations.
Background
For around two decades, the issue of homeless has been a public policy. A third of the homeless people within the society comprise the mentally retarded. These people add up to about 250,000 in America alone. This number is equal to the population in cities like Ohio and Iowa. Among these, two-thirds comprised of the singles while the rest had families. Most of the homeless are suffering from schizophrenia. Majority of them were women while the least of these patients had families. They live under poor quality of life. Most of them survive on food from garbage. The main features that characterize homelessness are the absence of links to the families, instability of some places and absence of housing. Majority of these people are very poor to afford a space. They often wonder from place to place.
Majority of the homeless people are suffering from mental illness yet they are receiving no treatment. This is according to the latest statistics that revealed that the high number of mentally retarded people in the streets is directly related to the few available chances in the mental hospitals. The statistics further reveals that most of the mentally ill people are discharged early from the hospitals. Six months later, these people lie along the streets as they lack where to go. The mental hospital seeks to save money by discharging the patients early. They are however transferring that burden to the prisons and jails.
Chronological events
In 1907, Indiana became the first country to enact a law for sterilization. This prevented the mentally ill from procreating. By 1940, more than 18,000 patients are surgically sterilized. In 1946, President Truman signed the health act, which allowed the establishment of mental institutions. In the early 1950s, a number of drugs were introduced. These drugs, however, do not treat psychosis. They instead controlled the symptoms. In mid-1950, the psychiatric hospitals were increased. In early 1960s, President J.F. Kennedy allows for the provision of preventive and treatment facilities within the community. This is through the signing of the Community mental health act. Psychiatric Szasz’s argues that schizophrenia does not exist. Later, many of the patients are discharged from the hospitals and treated in mental homes. There is the creation of mental health facilities. In early 1980s, advocacy groups rose to fight for better treatment for the mental patients. The mentally ill people moved to cities and started to create ghettos.
Later, single rooms in hotels and boarding rooms were filled with discharged patients from hospitals within the locality. Instead of deinstitutionalizing the hospitals, the policy in place trans-institutionalized the facilities. This was during the time when single rooms and boarding facilities started becoming scarce due to growth and development of the cities. Additionally, it was also a time when the mentally ill patients were not getting their medications. The commission on mental health revealed that the relationship between the public and the community hospitals was declining. This relationship worsened as the years progressed. By 1980s, the worst experiences of deinstitutionalization revealed itself. The increased number of the sick in the streets reflected this. Homelessness was also attributed to substance abuse and non-compliance to medicine. During this era, the funding towards mental health was reduced to 11%. In 1988, it was realized that those who had initially been admitted were more likely to live and survive on the streets.
Present Circumstances
Presently, the face of the homeless is part of the urban landscape in New York City. Majority are going to the streets. This is because of the high quality of life and the policy within hospitals that discharge the patient without confirmation of proper healing. Living on the streets for a normal person is very disturbing. This is far much worse for the patients suffering from manic- depressive illness. Majority of these people fall under the most victimized. Some have revealed that unknown people using weapons have threatened them. Majority of them are those who are under the disability checks. Other studies reveal that women are twice as likely to be attacked as men are. This is because of their mental condition. Majority of them have been raped more than once. Those who are homeless are twice as more likely to die quickly than patients under a cover. They may freeze, get attacked or be murdered.
Recommendations
In order to reduce the number of mentally ill patients, the public needs to change their perception towards the patients. This will alleviate the pain and the stress they undergo to survive. The government needs to cater for the patients. The government can improve the services the patients are being accorded. The services include allocation of daily free food per person, increased number of hospital beds and hospitals. It is important that the budgetary allocation for the mental care be increased. The community can cooperate in preventing the number of mental cases. This can be achieved by promotion of mental health.
