Running head: Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

The Connection Between Mental Illness and Homelessness

Savannah Clinton
First Colonial High School
Mrs. Disher
November 7th, 2014

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

2
Abstract

Homelessness is a huge problem. Untreated mental illness is a huge cause of

homelessness, as it causes many people to lose their jobs and their homes. One-third of the
homeless population has mental illness. When someone stops treatment, their illness prevents
them from getting a job. They then cant afford treatment because they no longer earn a
paycheck. Unaided, its almost impossible for them to stop that never ending cycle. A huge
difference can be made by equipping existing shelters to handle the problems related to mental
illness, providing therapists, and encouraging the use of prescribed medication.

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

The Connection Between Mental Illness and Homelessness

Lying on a bench, the harsh wind cutting through her worn clothing, is a middle aged
woman. Shes batting at the air surrounding her head and whimpering. The voices are bothering
her again. They constantly whisper to her, murmuring things that at first make no sense, but as
the chorus of nonsense continuous, nonsense becomes reality, and reality becomes nonsense.
This frightens and further confuses the women, who has no choice but to suffer alone, and
silently. She doesnt remember the last time she slept in a warm bed, or with a full stomach. She
cant remember the last person she had a positive interaction with. She knows only homelessness
and the mental illness she isnt even aware she has.
Untreated mental illness is a tremendous cause of homelessness. In a 2007 survey
conducted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, it was reported that one-third, or
250,000 of the estimated 744,000 people within the homeless community suffer from
schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses. That is enough people to equal the population of
Richmond. The death rate of these individuals is much greater than that of the average citizen.
Compared to the average, the death rate of the homeless is three times higher and the death rate
of the mentally ill is two and a half times higher. This is due to the common occurrence of fatal
accidents resulting from the impaired thinking of a mentally ill person, freezing to death in the
streets, and the high rate of homicide. These people are often victimized and even brutally
murdered.
The amount of homeless people who are also mentally ill has dramatically risen due to
new policies in mental hospitals, limiting the number of people who receive care. Due to the
down-sizing of the number of people psychiatric hospitals care for, many mentally ill people are
left with no other option but to live on the streets. The amount of discharges later reported

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

homeless varied by state, but was between twenty-seven and thirty-eight percent. In most cases,
the mentally ill shifted from the impersonal institutions of mental hospital to rundown,
overcrowded boarding houses. Low cost housing became increasingly rare, making it harder for
these individuals to find a place to stay. Most never received the ongoing care promised form the
institutions they were discharged from. They also did not receive needed medication. (Homeless
Mentally Ill Facts, figures, and Anecdotes, 2014)
Though maintaining the type of care the mentally ill homeless require isnt inexpensive,
it is much cheaper to provide shelters equipped with those services than to hospitalize
individuals. It can be as much as $105,000 in hospitalization costs, while costing as little as
$15,000 to equip an existing shelter to handle the problems of the mentally ill. (What to Do,
1993) In fact, government funding can be obtained from programs such as the MHSA, or Mental
Health Services Act. (Mental Health Services, 2012)
One-third of the homeless population suffers from mental illness, but through new
programs backed by government funding, it is possible to help them off the streets and get them
the care they deserve. Helping those who are both homeless and mentally ill is best done through
identifying those with mental illnesses, and assistance in things such as appropriate housing,
therapy and medication. (Healing Hands, 2014)
A reasonable starting point in effectively addressing this issue is equipping existing
shelters to handle mental illness. Two ways to accomplish this is through creating recreational
areas on the properties and through providing job placement opportunities. Recreational areas
provide much needed stress relief and a calm, nonthreatening atmosphere, enhancing the effects
of treatment. Job placement can help the individual feel more in control of their life and
positively affect their community.

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

Combining physical activity with treatment has many benefits. It helps make the
experience less stressful and encourages the person to talk more openly about problems they are
facing. Exercise can lessen the brains reaction to stress, as well as providing a sense of
accomplishment. (The Exercise Effect, 2012) This reduces the effects of depression, which
claimed the lives of 29,350 people in 2000. The number has continued to climb through the
years.
Additionally, people with anxiety may find an unlikely treatment in exercise, which may
help prevent the onset of panic disorder. When threatened or surprised, the human body reacts by
sweating, experiencing an increase in the heart rate, and even dizziness. Exercising produces the
same reactions. Because those reactions are then connected to a sense of accomplishment and
stress relief, they become tied to positive emotions rather than fear.
Recreational activities relieve stress and provide a self -esteem boost. They bring people
together, allowing otherwise lonely individuals to make friends and overcome their depression.
In fact, pairing recreation with therapy and medication has been found to significantly reduce the
chance of relapse. (The Health and Social, 2005)
Job placement can also offer an opportunity for vastly improving the life of the mentally
ill homeless. Through programs such as Individualized Placement Support, designed specifically
for the mentally ill, people are provided job coaches, training, and continuous mental health
treatment. Alternative staffing is a program that takes that training a step further, continuing with
training in an entry-level job set aside for people who are hindered in their ability to find or hold
a job due to mental illness. Lastly, transitional jobs provide a paycheck, references, and
experience. (Work, 1978)

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

Another extremely important aspect of improving the lives of the mentally ill homeless is
providing therapy. Sometimes talking to a therapist is the only way to make someone understand
and come to terms with their own mental illness. Therapy can help improve a persons
mentality, which has a positive effect on their behavior. It also improves a persons level of selfesteem. Therapists lessen the effect of a mental illness and improve a persons ability to function
well in a work or home environment.
There are many types of therapy available, but some types are batter equipped to handle
specific illnesses. However, several apply to almost any illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy is
one that translates thoughts and emotions into actions. This helps to identify certain emotions
that trigger undesired behavior. It teaches an individual to change the direction of their thoughts
when negative ones begin to occur.
Support groups are a great place for mentally ill people to meet with others facing
similar problems. It helps them understand that they are not alone in their fight to overcoming
the illness. Members can discuss hopes and fears. They also refer each other to therapists or
programs they found helpful. These groups can even be conducted without a professional
therapist. They increase the support base of the mentally ill homeless. (NAMI, 2014)
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to treat mental illness is with medication. An
issue arises though, when dealing with those who are also homeless. No one is there to make
sure a person is taking their medications, and sometimes the homeless just dont have access to
the medicine. Taking the necessary medications can be key to reducing the negative effects of a
mental illness and changing a persons life for the better.
Of the discharged patients that became homeless, sixty-three percent stopped taking the
medication they needed, while only eighteen percent of those who found stable housing ceased

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

taking their medications. This draws a distinct parallel between a stable home and the likelihood
of a mentally ill person to take their medications. (Homeless Mentally Ill Facts, figures, and
Anecdotes, 2014)
Teaching the mentally ill why certain medicines help alleviate their symptoms is not only
possible, but beneficial as it encourages them to stay on those medications. Sometimes an illness
makes that difficult as it causes them to think that those medications are not needed. Forcing
them to take it is an option, but through talking and gaining their trust, they can normally be
persuaded to give it a chance.
Negative side effects are always a possibility with any type of medication, and often
times an individual will notice solely those effects. Having a doctor to talk to would be a great
help, as something as small as a change in dosage can have a massive impact on the side effects.
The good that the medication does must also be considered, and explaining to someone that he
good outweighs the bad is very important.
Mental illness is a strong contributor to the homeless population, but certain actions can
be taken to get these people of the streets, and into an establishment in which they can receive
the help that they desperately need. Three simple solutions for doing so are equipping existing
shelters to handle the problems accompanied by mental illness, providing easily accessible
therapy, and stressing the importance of staying on prescribed medications. If these three things
could be accomplished, then we as a society will have made great strides in solving a serious
issue in America. (Medication; Foundation of Recovery, 2003 )

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

8
References

The Exercise Effect. (2011, December). Retrieved October 30, 2014, from
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/exercise.aspxor
Gambrell, K. (n.d.). Providing a safe haven for mentally ill homeless. Retrieved
November 2, 2014, from
http://ww2.gazette.net/gazette_archive/1998/199823/montgomerycty/state/a50797-1.html
The Health and Social Benefits of Recreation: An Element of the California Outdoor
Recreation Planning Program. (2005). Sacramento, CA: California State Parks. Retrieved
October 30, 2014, from http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/795/files/health_benefits_081505.pdf
Homeless Mentally Ill Facts, Figures and Anecdotes. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2014,
from http://www.mentalillnesspolicy.org/consequences/homeless-mentally-ill.html
Medication: Foundation of recovery for mentally ill. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2014,
from http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/firstperson/medicine-schizophrenia-francell.html
Mental Health Services Act Funds Help Provide Housing for Chronically Homeless in
New Program. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2014, from http://sd06.senate.ca.gov/news/201208-16-mental-health-services-act-funds-help-provide-housing-chronically-homeless-new-progr
NAMI - The National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2014,
from http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?
Section=About_Treatments_and_Supports&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cf
m&ContentID=10510s

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

A Publication Of The Hch Clinicians Netwo. (n.d.). A PUBLICATION OF THE HCH

CLINICIANS NETWORK HEALING HANDS. Retrieved October 30, 2014, from
http://www.nhchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Oct2000HealingHands.pdf
What to Do About the Homeless Mentally Ill? (1993, February 10). Retrieved November 2,
2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/11/opinion/l-what-to-do-about-thehomeless-mentally-ill-608093.html
Work. (1978). London: Longman for the Schools Council. Retrieved October 30, 2014, from
http://www.nhchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/employment-guide_final.pdf

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

10
Footnotes

[Add footnotes, if any, on their own page following references. For APA formatting

requirements, its easy to just type your own footnote references and notes. To format a footnote
reference, select the number and then, on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, click Footnote
Reference. The body of a footnote, such as this example, uses the Normal text style. (Note: If
you delete this sample footnote, dont forget to delete its in-text reference as well. Thats at the
end of the sample Heading 2 paragraph on the first page of body content in this template.)]

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

11
Tables

Table 1
[Table Title]
Column Head
Row Head
Row Head
Row Head
Row Head
Row Head
Row Head

Column Head
123
456
789
123
456
789

Column Head
123
456
789
123
456
789

Column Head
123
456
789
123
456
789

Column Head
123
456
789
123
456
789

Note: [Place all tables for your paper in a tables section, following references (and, if applicable,
footnotes). Start a new page for each table, include a table number and table title for each, as
shown on this page. All explanatory text appears in a table note that follows the table, such as
this one. Use the Table/Figure style, available on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, to get the
spacing between table and note. Tables in APA format can use single or 1.5 line spacing. Include
a heading for every row and column, even if the content seems obvious. A default table style has
been setup for this template that fits APA guidelines. To insert a table, on the Insert tab, click
Table.]

Mental Illness as a cause of homelessness

12
Figures

Category 1

Category 2
Series 1

Category 3
Series 2

Category 4

Series 3

Figure 1. [Include all figures in their own section, following references (and footnotes and tables,
if applicable). Include a numbered caption for each figure. Use the Table/Figure style for easy
spacing between figure and caption.]
For more information about all elements of APA formatting, please consult the APA Style
Manual, 6th Edition.