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In Michigan, i'm sure that at least 90% of the homeless are mentally ill. They closed all our mental health facilities and put these people on the streets.

Gotta love America.

2007-02-21 02:34:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

You are correct. In the general population, the prevalence of major mental illness, such as Bipolar or schizophrenia is only about 4%. In the homeless population, it can be about 20-25%. Part of this problem can be blamed on the "Deinstitutionalization movement." The deinstitutionalization movement of the 1960s and 1970s emptied large state hospitals, based on the idea that care of the mentally ill would be transferred from state to community facilities. Officials also thought that they were helping these patients. Human rights advocates protested the fact that many individuals had been hospitalized indefinitely (and rightfully so) and pushed to have people discharged prematurely. Patients should have been discharged with strong community support, such as case management, supportive housing, psychiatrists, etc. But the community was ill-prepared. When community care fell short of the need, there was a surge in the mentally ill, homeless population. The shortage of low-cost housing for the mentally ill, often due to inner-city remodeling and cuts in social-service funding, has also contributed to homelessness among the mentally ill.
This is only the start of it. People with mental illness have a more difficulty time finding work, applying for disability benefits, and finding affordable housing. Thankfully, many cities have PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) programs that offer transitional and affordable housing, outreach and referrals, educational and employment assistance, health services, and supportive social services. But the programs are so overwhelmed because there are too many people that need help.

2007-02-21 05:40:30 · answer #2 · answered by psychgrad 7 · 0 0

I feel that the large majority of homeless people are on the streets because of their mental handicap. If you are emotionally unstable, do to a mental illness or disorder, you ALREADY require the NEED for help. If you have no family, or friends to provide some financial aid, or a place to live, no medical insurance for proper health needs, shelter and food to survive, how and where are these people suppose to receive the help that they need? To be mentally ill, or become unstable, do to events, such as; a victim of war, domestic violence, drug abuse,a victim of socioeconomic failure, all compound their plight.There is not enough government funding, to assist in programs to aide these people to live anyway but in sub-standard situations. There are not enough shelters, or affordable housing, employment opportunities,programs for educating a person to learn a skill, so they can help themselves.Our country needs to take care of our own, first and foremost.!!!!

2007-02-21 04:01:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I think the percentage is pretty much fifty-fifty. If they hadn't mental issues when they became homeless, they may have them now. There definitely was a problem for them to be homeless in the first place. Often it's alcohol or drug related, sometimes mental illness, other times financial problems so great, they lost everything.

2007-02-21 02:36:18 · answer #4 · answered by VW 6 · 0 1

Most just had bad luck and lost jobs or loved ones that made their lives complete. Mental issues would be more of a byproduct of living on the streets and having to fend off people who think they have mental issues and treat them unfairly. I know of many working class people who have mental issues too, it doesn't make them incapable of living in a home.

2007-02-21 02:37:08 · answer #5 · answered by Randy W 3 · 0 1

I believe a good amount of homeless people are without a home by choice. something bad could have happened in the family, some people have nervous breakdowns, there could be a million and one reasons. It just doesn't seem right in this day and age people are living on the streets, it's probably their choice, just breaks my heart and makes me wonder what could have happened for them to be so low and live this way.its not even living, its existing.I wish I could help them all.

2007-02-21 02:37:27 · answer #6 · answered by looby 6 · 0 1

there are actually a lot of homeless people who are mentally handicapped. for whatever reason, either their family couldn't afford to get help for them, or them chose not to get help, and since they can't hold a job, they ended up on the street.

2007-02-21 02:38:00 · answer #7 · answered by Lily 1 · 0 1

Who wouldnt have mental issues if they are homeless?

2007-02-21 02:35:04 · answer #8 · answered by Natalie 7 · 1 1

i don't believe that, 100% of homeless people at there are OK and intelligent more than some of the people who have home and everything.

2007-02-21 02:46:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

I am sure that some of them do, but most homeless people are that way due to them losing their jobs or losing their homes.

2007-02-21 02:34:42 · answer #10 · answered by karen v 6 · 0 1

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