When it comes to try understand what is Mental Health and where we can put them at so we can try help them out. First thing you need to do is have to have some kind experiences with them also you just can't just arrest them because that won't help them or help you out in the long run. These people are total different because they can't control what they do or can't do other. However, you can try put them around people like them and see how they will act. Now when it comes to those people who are homeless a lot them turn to drugs because to them can't live with them self or they just turn to drug for the pain go away. Well another issues is you may can help out one this treatment but can't help out all there like mental illness, addiction disorder and hepatitis so than you have to decide which one you want help out them most and need the most help. I am kind mad when I see a lot of mentally ill people get sent home than the people who posted take care of them just sent them home with no problem, I think need be somewhere or a place because get better not just sent home like nothing wrong with them. At the end of the day there are some people out there want try help them out but need more help and more support with them. You can't just go judge them before getting all the information first than not getting no help from nobody. Well addiction is like a being hook on something you can't get off it because they don't know anything else . It depends how you look at it and also some may think poor lifestyle and the punishment they deserve what they got. But you can't think like that because they are still human and yes in the world today homeless and mental heath is big problem need be fix some way. -Panthers 123.
I agree with you. It makes me angry as well when they send someone who clearly needs help is sent away like there is nothing wrong with them. When that happens, the family might be able to handle their relative for a while, but they are not really equipped for dealing with someone with mental illness, so a lot of times they will just tell the relative to pack up their things and move out. -MickSwagger123
I agree that we need to help out. It is sad to see people like this. I really don't think people see this and if they do they won't help them out. When I become a officer, I will try to do my best to help them out by getting help. Some of these people are scared to get help but they need it. -- Softball123
Reading this article was pretty surprising to me. It was surprising to me about the numbers of both the amount of cases that dealt with the Hepatitis A, drug use, mental illness, and homelessness that had all connected with each other and also the amount of deaths that were reported along with them. Drug abuse is a serious problem in America and the large cities and even small towns there within the states. Along with the drug abuse, the homelessness in America is at overwhelming numbers too. Also, the amount of homeless people who turn to drugs for any number of reasons are also in alarming numbers. With all that drug use and the constant contact with the unsanitary and unlivable streets in which they have to call home, they are contracting Hepatitis A. This is why there has to be something done in order to help reduce these statistics from the rate from which they are going. There definitely needs to be a place where there is access to clean needles so that they can do their drugs without contaminating themselves with harmful viruses. On top of that, they need counseling and a place in which they feel safe and secure, because if somebody does not feel as if they are safe they will surely leave. -MickSwagger123
I was really kind surprise when see a lot them turn to drug because they can't deal wit reality. Also the number people who turn up death or end up homeless because that all they know or how to do. I do think need be something done before it get out hand like some kind programs or treatment center to help those who are stuck on drug's.It was very good read this article because i learn some new thing about homeless, Mental Health. -Panthers123
Hepatitis A, homelessness, drug use, and mental illness are all connected together. These different tragedies that people struggle with everyday are all connected. One way or another if someone gets one of these addictions, illnesses or misfortunes then the others seem to follow not too far behind. This vicious cycle will usually start with either mental illness or homelessness. If someone is mentally ill, and they are not given the proper help they need, or they are just merely abandoned by their family they usually have no other choice but to become homeless. Once they are homeless the mental torture that comes with being homeless just makes their situation worse. In other cases if someone who is mentally sane, and becomes homeless just from bad luck in their life they can become mentally ill. Once they are both homeless and mentally ill then they will often turn to drugs, and not safe or clean ones. These drugs are an escape for the people who suffer everyday with their minds. They can become addicted to these drugs very easily from the feeling that it gives them. Like I said the drugs that homeless people use are dirty, dangerous, and fairly easily attainable. This is where many of the diseases and illnesses come from, along with the unsanitary conditions that these people are forced to live in. If these people get an illness such as hepatitis A, and they have nowhere to go to get help then they are very susceptible to die from it. These people need help before they get low enough to where they begin to use these drugs in the unsanitary ways which raises the risk for these diseases. People are beginning to come up with ideas on how to help these people. One of those ideas being safe injection establishments. This is not a solution however, this needs to just be the beginning of a better, more efficient way to help those in need. Wings123
When reading this I already knew that homelessness was linked to mental illness and chronic drug use and addiction. What I did not realise that hepatitis A is also a very big problem regarding the homeless and people that are incarcerated. It makes sense how these people could easily get it by using dirty needles and being in contact with someone who already has it by being homeless in those poor living conditions. It also makes sense with the incarcerated. With many prisons being very overcrowded it is no suprise how you could get it while incarcerated with everyone being in a close space. Homelessness and mental illness is a very big problem in the United States that no one really thinks about until they see it for their own eyes. People sometimes automatically think when they see someone homeless that they are just a drug addict and have made bad decisions in their lifetime. People need to realise that maybe there is more to the story that they are mentally ill and their families cannot care for them. Mental illness is in a way like someone breaking a bone, its just someone's mind being broken in a way and need help just like a person that has broken a bone. A lot of people do not realize this or think about it in this way. I liked the fact when they mentioned that more law enforcement and first responders need to be trained in mental health so they can help identify it in a person and instead of just locking them up, help them find the right help so they can get better. This is why I am glad that last semester I took the mental health first aid class. It really opened my eyes on all of these signs and I believe that many more people should take these types of classes so they can also help. Trojan123
It was not very surprising to me to learn that between twenty and twenty-five percent of the homeless population suffers from some form of a serious mental health condition. Typically, the homeless and the those being released from incarceration suffer from what is known as co-occurring disorders, which is where the individual has some form of mental illness and has a drug addiction. According to a 2009 NCH fact sheet, it was found that some people who have a mental health disorder will turn to street drugs in an effort to try to cope with their disorder or as a way to self-medicate themselves. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness, probably the best way to treat co-occurring disorders is by treating them both at the same time in a process called integrated intervention. This includes detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation with psychotherapy, supportive housing, some medications, and self-help. It was pretty discouraging to learn that fifty percent of California’s mental hospital patients were released under Governor Ronald Reagan. There was a lack of support and lack of funding for mental illness. There is no doubt that there is a need for more funding and awareness on the topic of mental health. The article also mentions that some of the funding could come from Medicaid if the Trump administration eliminates the Institutions for Mental Diseases Exclusion.There are ways that are being introduced to help save lives of those suffering from mental health illness and substance abuse even if they are not exactly in the mental health or criminal justice system. Some of these are by having safe injection sites for substance abusers to prevent overdose deaths, which I like the overall concept behind it on preventing deaths but it is not a permanent solution to getting these people the help they need. Another way, according to this article, is by providing maintenance drugs such as methadone to addicts as a way to help prevent withdrawal. There is also drugs available to treat mental health illnesses as well through this. I believe that it is very crucial for emergency responders, not necessarily just police officers, to be highly trained and have the awareness of how to handle and help people suffering from mental illness. Gymlife123
In the article, it says that most homeless people are either mental ill or have some type of disease. That’s said because they could offer them help. Not only are they homeless but the fact that they are hurting or even spreading things around is what’s. Of course, they are going to use street drugs to get them better, they have no other way to get better because they can’t go to the hospital or maybe they feel like it would be a waste of time because they might not have money to pay for everything. Also, it says that they were putting people out of the problems because it was too much to handle. First of all, that’s what the program is for is to help them and deal with them. if you can’t do that than its not for you and they need new people. Money is a big issue because we need to be putting money into the right things and things that’s needed to be done like help homeless people overall. The less help the more them homeless people are going to continue to use any type of drugs to use to get better and become addicted with it and the death rates will go up. these are things we have to think about them it comes to the world and how to handle it. -babyblue123
Reading this article had me shocked at how many different factors can contribute to just one disease getting spread around so quickly. I had figured that drug use would be the main cause because most frequent drug users will use any needle whenever they can just to try and get a high whether that needle be clean or not. Most homeless people who are drug users have no choice but to use dirty needles because they have no way of being able to afford a clean one. Those who have mental illnesses were probably locked up instead of getting help like they needed and while in prison they may have come in contact with someone who was infected, then when they get released they may not be able to work because of their illness and eventually may be forced onto the street where they have to resort to drug use to get by. Then the cycle starts all over again and we are eventually in a never ending loop with no possible good outcome and we really have no solution to the problem as of today. I feel we need to start putting those who need help with mental illnesses in the right facilities, and not just lock them up or if we do lock them up we need to make sure we give them medication when they are released, so they do not feel the need to turn to drugs on the street. We need to have better programs for those who are already out on the street, so they will be able to work and if they are drug users we can help them quit and get back on their feet. We need to start at the source and then work towards all the other factors to help with this problem. Illini123
This is very sad to see that these people are suffering all on their own and there is no one there to help you. It also doesn't help that society as a whole makes fun of those people that have a mental illness or they either don't believe in them. But yet if you break a arm or leg we don't make fun of you? Does that make sense to anyone? Just because we can't physically see what is wrong doesn't mean that there isn't anything that is wrong. These people need help and the United States of America as a country don't help these people enough if at all. We need to further research and fund the treatment for mental health issues and need to stand by it one hundred percent. We can't be the greatest nation in the world or a superpower if we can't help and take care of our own people that made this country what it is today. I did figure that people who suffer from mental health problems would be more prone to be homeless and get involved with drugs. No matter how many drug dealers we may lock up and take off the streets there are still drugs getting to these people. That is why we need to increase our border security and start there as a starting point to effect the number of drugs, money, and guns coming into the nation immediately. How I am not for sure and I am not saying lets make this the next big money pit because we can't because we don't have money. In this country we spend the money we don't have for immediate gratification and look to pay back later. Something must be done and something big has to be done sooner than later because the longer we wait the worse the problem becomes. NDIrish123.
I agree that it is sad to see people like this. I really don't think people see this and if they do they won't help them out. When I become a officer, I will try to do my best to help them out by getting help. Some of these people are scared to get help but they need it. -- Softball456
Reading this article was pretty surprising to me. It was surprising to me about all the numbers of the cases that deal with hepatitis A , all the drug use, mental illness, and people that are homeless. To heat that the homeless suffer from mental illness and drug use is very sad because I wish that they could find someone to help them get back on track and let them know that drugs will not be able to help them solve anything. In the article to hear that 20 to 25 percent of the homeless population in the U.S. suffers from some form of mental illness is very sad to think about. I think that even though they are homeless they are still people, they still need help in life and still need some sort of support. I think we all need to help and figure a solution out for the homeless to be able to get check ups to see that everything is running normal and see if they are okay. Yes I understand it is hard to just give free services out but, to hear that so many homeless people are dying because of drug overdose or having something seriously wrong with them is heartbreaking. To lose everything is hard on someone you can’t expect them to cope with it. We need to get them help before we lose them. A start to this problem should be trying to start better programs for those who are already on the streets, so they can get better if they are using drugs and we can try to help them to quit. We need to start from the source of where it is coming from and work towards having a better society. Smile123
Reading this article was pretty surprising to me. It was surprising to me about all the numbers of the cases that deal with hepatitis A , all the drug use, mental illness, and people that are homeless. To think about all the homeless people out their have to turn to drugs to see if it can make them better is heartbreaking. I also think that they think they won’t have money to help them get better so they take the worse path possible for them. I feel that there needs to be more programs to help them get back on their feet and give them the help that they need. For a fact you can’t just arrest them because that will give them no chance of the help. These people are still human beings they are just different because they can’t really control what they do or don’t have really other options. Another thing that seems like a big problem is seeing someone with mental illness to just get sent home and act like it’s not a problem but, it actually is a problem. Mental Illness takes over someone’s body and doesn’t stop. I think there needs to be a place where they can go to get checked out and get the help they need before it escalates into something major. Punishing someone for they way the act isn’t gonna work addiction is a serious problem and it is hard to stop it. Smile456
The number of hep A infected people also staggered me. Especially the association it had with the homeless, and mentally ill. I don't think they are turning to drugs because they think it will make them better off. I honestly think they are just giving up in a sense. I agree that more needs to be done to help with these issues. Which is why I like this article, since it is showing new programs hoping to help. Also agree with the mentally ill needing more evaluation, and although we had a lot in the past. Now we don't. If we could get more backing by local officials or the gov itself, then we could do more. ^~^ Itis123
First off, the article is very well written, and considerate. Talking about mental issues is always a touchy subject, and even, sometimes, talking about the homeless is too. Seems like areas with more homeless people are being hit the hardest by the hepatitis A wave. Mental people making up a group of the homeless population has also been an ongoing issue for a while now. Seems like with budget cuts to government aid, everyone couldn’t keep up and ended up with no one to turn to. Especially, mentally handicapped people. WIth no family, and no one willing to hire you, what else is there to do? I agree that this needs to be fixed. I think the safe injection sites will help, and we will see results in the near future. It needs to be funded, and more sites open up though. It also opens up jobs for people, and even, possibly, gets criminals off the streets. Or, at least drug addicts. Nobody wants to see people lives get ruined due to a reliance on drugs. Especially not locked away. I really do like the other program as well. The NAMI are working on detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation, and even supportive housing. This is super beneficial to people suffering from mental illness with nowhere to go. It also keeps them out of jails, or prisons. Lord knows we need more mental disabled people incarcerated. Plus, this way they know for sure the person is trying to better themselves, and not just getting a free spot to shoot up. These treatment ideas will also help with the spread of hep A but not by a lot. All in all, I think we need to be more supportive to these ideas and start funding them. If things don’t work out, we go back to what we did. Doesn’t hurt to try new things sometimes. ^~^ Itis123
I agree with you that talking about mental issues and homeless is a very touchy subject. Even though it may be hard to talk about we still gotta realize it is a issue in our society and it needs to be fixed. I also think that what you said about the government aid cutting people is actually very sad because you’re right some people can’t afford things they need and they might have no one to turn to as you stated. I feel like people need to realize it is hard for people to get a job because of what they have. It is very shocking to me to hear all of this because you really never know how someone’s life is going. Smile456
After reading this article, it was surprising to me how high the number of percent of the homeless population with the mental health problem in 2009. It was not surprising to me those homeless people have drug addictions, alcohol additions, having some disease, and mental health issue. It said in the article that high-risk groups include the homeless, the incarcerated and those released from prison suffers mental health issue, and I do believe that. I think that they develop mental health issue before being imprisoned and the one reason for that is drug use. And while they are behind bars all we do is give them time as punishment but not help to treat their problems. Then what would happen after that is they go back what they are doing and get worse? What I do not understand under Reagan administration why he ended funding the federal community mental health centers. I believe to get the problem under control and prevent future outbreaks, we have to sacrifice to help the people in need of support, but instead, we go the other way. One thing I believe is to lower the amount of homeless, mentally ill, and addicted we have to do something to help them to get better instead of putting them behind bars just to clean the street. I know a lot of people are against the so-called “Safe Injection Site,” but for me, it was worth a try because if we look how the other countries are using it, they do not have deaths because of overdosing. We cannot say right away that it will not do any good because we never tried it here in the United States. In all, mental health and homeless is one of the problems in the United States and the world. We have to try new approach instead of the old ways and end up seeing the same result. -Chopper123
When I got done reading “Homeless, Mentally Ill and Addicted: The Downward Spiral” by Stephen Bitsoli, I thought it was a really ab opener. The reason why it was an eye opener because it shows how many cases there was and the deaths of people. In California there was 683 cases in January 23, with 21 deaths. In Michigan there was 715 cases in January 24, with 24 deaths. In Colorado there was 62 cases, with no death reports. Why is that? We will never find that out. The reason why because there were no police officers report the deaths in Colorado. According to the National Coalition for Homeless (NCH) there is 20 to 25 percent of homeless people in the United states that has sever mental illness. California’s mental health systems has found that there is 15 percent was homeless in the 12 months. The ones that have the mental illness use street drugs that lead to addictions and disease transmission. The mentally ill people usually go home but some of them stay on the streets because their loves one isn’t ready to handle them, or they don’t know how to handle them. I would think they would go to a sheltered area to stay at, but some place wouldn’t take them because they don’t want those type of people in their building. -- softball456
When I got done reading “Homeless, Mentally Ill and Addicted: The Downward Spiral” by Stephen Bitsoli, I thought it was a really ab opener. The reason why it was an eye opener because it shows how many cases there was and the deaths of people. In California there was 683 cases in January 23, with 21 deaths. In Michigan there was 715 cases in January 24, with 24 deaths. In Colorado there was 62 cases, with no death reports. Why is that? We will never find that out. The reason why because there were no police officers report the deaths in Colorado. According to the National Coalition for Homeless (NCH) there is 20 to 25 percent of homeless people in the United states that has sever mental illness. California’s mental health systems has found that there is 15 percent was homeless in the 12 months. The ones that have the mental illness use street drugs that lead to addictions and disease transmission. The mentally ill people usually go home but some of them stay on the streets because their loves one isn’t ready to handle them, or they don’t know how to handle them. I would think they would go to a sheltered area to stay at, but some place wouldn’t take them because they don’t want those type of people in their building. I think that is wrong because they should let them in and help them out but they won’t. -- softball123
Everything in this article ties together. Not everyone encounters someone who deals with mental health. I have had one and one personal experiences with them. My boyfriend's bother suffers from mental health and it breaks my heart to watch others treat him differently because he is different. There are things he cannot control, and I have a feeling he will not be able to live on his own and the others like him might become homeless because they cannot do the things they need to live on their own. Now the homeless people usually are homeless because they got into drugs and it took over their life, but there are some good people who are homeless. The numbers for drug addiction and homelessness are kind of overwhelming to look at because it kind of makes me think, what has our society come to? Why can't we help those who are homeless and addicted to drugs? Provide treatment and shelter for them to get back on your feet and off of drugs. It is a bad vicious cycle that we need to stop. We need to support and find a way to fund mental illness because how can fifty percent of people with mental illness gets released from receiving help due to lack of support and funding is awful. They are people too and do not deserve to get dehumanized. ~Dance123
Seeing some of the statistics that involve the homeless that suffer from mental illness and those that are abusing drugs or alcohol was quite stunning. What was really interesting was some of the factors that have led to this sort of epidemic over the last few decades. The author mentioned when Michigan closed all mental health hopsitals which released their patients to the families that were not ready to care for their friend or family member that had been suffering from a mental illness. This comes with supervision and medical costs for medicine that many families just do not have the resources for, which led to the patients who were released becoming homeless. Now you have citizens who not only have a mental health condition, but now they are homeless with no access to healthcare of any form. This is where the drugs come in. Which leads to the diseases that these people are getting from using drugs as their own self medication. This snowball effect goes back decades and the use of Safe Consumption Sites has been saving cities millions of dollars a year in medical costs due to the management of overdoeses and deaths that these sites are preventing. -DaBears123
There has been so many articles and surveys done for mentally ill, homeless, and addiction by themselves but not all together, which it just proves in this article that they all tie into together. It is sad how the statistics show that there isn't much help for them because one place pushes them off to another place or think that one place is going to take care of them when they don't. A lot of people turn their head and use judgement against these people, which isn't right. These people are humans and they deserve to have help and treatment, they don't deserve to be stranded on the streets with no one there to help them. I knew that addiction and homeless tied into each other because becoming homeless I am sure would make you want to give up on everything and turn to drugs to cure the pain because there isn't anything else out there to help. It is aggravating to read and to see how many people get turned away or sent "home" because of their issues and battles they are trying to fight by themselves, everyone deserves the opportunity to get help and have comfort in it. Like it said in the article people may think they are helping them with one problem like say addiction but aren't helping with the other two problems one is having, so like it said the treatment would be more effective if it was all given at the same time. I also agree with how the article said that everyone should be trained and knowledgable of all the signs on if the person is suffering from mental illness, drug addiction and so on. In my opionin instead of turning our heads on these issues we need to support them and get more progams out there to help them. Motocross123
I agree with you. They all lead into one thing. They all are connected. Everyone should have insight on the state and the meaning of homeless, addiction, and mental ill. Not everyone is and that's another problem. (Equality 123)
The current state of homelessness in the United States came about as a result of policy changes in the 1980s and 1990s. By shutting down state mental hospitals, these homeless individuals were left with nowhere else to go except the street. Furthermore, there's a strong correlation between being homeless and having either or both a mental illness or substance abuse problem. Due to these two factors, most homeless people are, therefore, unable to take care of themselves to the same manner and degree that the general population cares for themselves. It's no surprise then, that many outbreaks of certain diseases and infections can be traced back to the homeless population. Without possessing the mental requisite to maintain hygiene standards or sexual health standards, the spread of such conditions among this population has been rampant. Furthermore, without access to adequate shelter and facilities such as restrooms or kitchens, the risk of incubation and spread increases even further. There's no way that the homeless population is going to spontaneously solve it's problems without outside assistance. The general population needs to cease ignoring and isolating the homeless and start to focus more on helping and treating these people. The largest mental health care facilities in the United States are the Cook County Jail and Rikers Island. By closing state mental health facilities in the 90s, we didn't solve or dispose of mental health problems present in the US. By sweeping these problems under the rug, they've only worsened. Not only in the aspect of the quality of life of the homeless population, but also as far as individual volatility is concerned. The rash of recent school shootings serves as a perfect example of what can happen if we continue to neglect mental health care. Restricting gun accessibility or similar tactics are only temporary solutions that are the equivalent of giving aspirin to someone experiencing a heart attack. The aspirin will aggregate the platelets in the blood, hence helping to prevent any further clots, but the person still has a massive clot restricting blood flow to the heart. In order to solve the situation, you need to give the person clot-busting drugs and consider inserting a catheter to destroy the clot. In other words, aspirin is certainly helpful and will keep the person stable until they reach a hospital, but they really need to undo the clot. Firearm restrictions will help like aspirin, but without solving the mental health crisis in the country, the clot is still going to exist. Whether it be school shootings or problems in the homeless community, my heart attack metaphor applies to both similarly. Ignoring the problem isn't going to make the problem disappear. Without proper mental health care institutions available across the entire country, the problem isn't going to solve itself and only continue to devolve and branch out into further problems. -Gwynbleidd123
The current state of homelessness in the United States came about as a result of policy changes in the 1980s and 1990s. By shutting down state mental hospitals, these homeless individuals were left with nowhere else to go except the street. Furthermore, there's a strong correlation between being homeless and having either or both a mental illness or substance abuse problem. Due to these two factors, most homeless people are, therefore, unable to take care of themselves to the same manner and degree that the general population cares for themselves. It's no surprise then, that many outbreaks of certain diseases and infections can be traced back to the homeless population. Without possessing the mental requisite to maintain hygiene standards or sexual health standards, the spread of such conditions among this population has been rampant. Furthermore, without access to adequate shelter and facilities such as restrooms or kitchens, the risk of incubation and spread increases even further. There's no way that the homeless population is going to spontaneously solve it's problems without outside assistance. The general population needs to cease ignoring and isolating the homeless and start to focus more on helping and treating these people. The largest mental health care facilities in the United States are the Cook County Jail and Rikers Island. By closing state mental health facilities in the 90s, we didn't solve or dispose of mental health problems present in the US. By sweeping these problems under the rug, they've only worsened. Not only in the aspect of the quality of life of the homeless population, but also as far as individual volatility is concerned. The rash of recent school shootings serves as a perfect example of what can happen if we continue to neglect mental health care. Restricting gun accessibility or similar tactics are only temporary solutions that are the equivalent of giving aspirin to someone experiencing a heart attack. The aspirin will aggregate the platelets in the blood, hence helping to prevent any further clots, but the person still has a massive clot restricting blood flow to the heart. In order to solve the situation, you need to give the person clot-busting drugs and consider inserting a catheter to destroy the clot. In other words, aspirin is certainly helpful and will keep the person stable until they reach a hospital, but they really need to undo the clot. Firearm restrictions will help like aspirin, but without solving the mental health crisis in the country, the clot is still going to exist. Whether it be school shootings or problems in the homeless community, my heart attack metaphor applies to both similarly. Ignoring the problem isn't going to make the problem disappear. Without proper mental health care institutions available across the entire country, the problem isn't going to solve itself and only continue to devolve and branch out into further problems. -Gwynbleidd456
I think that homeless people get overlooked due to them being homeless. I don’t believe that is fair though. No one knows what happened in their life to land them in that situation, yet they judge them. When they are sick, they self medicate. Everyone knows that's not a good idea. This causes them to use the wrong medication and sometimes use the medication when they don't even need it. Most of homeless people are mentally ill. That’s not something they can control. I believe they need helped. They don’t know where to turn or anything and they need guidance. Addiction is rising in homeless people do to their mental state and physical. (Equality 123)
When it comes to try understand what is Mental Health and where we can put them at so we can try help them out. First thing you need to do is have to have some kind experiences with them also you just can't just arrest them because that won't help them or help you out in the long run. These people are total different because they can't control what they do or can't do other. However, you can try put them around people like them and see how they will act. Now when it comes to those people who are homeless a lot them turn to drugs because to them can't live with them self or they just turn to drug for the pain go away. Well another issues is you may can help out one this treatment but can't help out all there like mental illness, addiction disorder and hepatitis so than you have to decide which one you want help out them most and need the most help.
ReplyDeleteI am kind mad when I see a lot of mentally ill people get sent home than the people who posted take care of them just sent them home with no problem, I think need be somewhere or a place because get better not just sent home like nothing wrong with them. At the end of the day there are some people out there want try help them out but need more help and more support with them. You can't just go judge them before getting all the information first than not getting no help from nobody. Well addiction is like a being hook on something you can't get off it because they don't know anything else . It depends how you look at it and also some may think poor lifestyle and the punishment they deserve what they got. But you can't think like that because they are still human and yes in the world today homeless and mental heath is big problem need be fix some way.
-Panthers 123.
I agree with you. It makes me angry as well when they send someone who clearly needs help is sent away like there is nothing wrong with them. When that happens, the family might be able to handle their relative for a while, but they are not really equipped for dealing with someone with mental illness, so a lot of times they will just tell the relative to pack up their things and move out.
Delete-MickSwagger123
I agree that we need to help out. It is sad to see people like this. I really don't think people see this and if they do they won't help them out. When I become a officer, I will try to do my best to help them out by getting help. Some of these people are scared to get help but they need it.
Delete-- Softball123
Reading this article was pretty surprising to me. It was surprising to me about the numbers of both the amount of cases that dealt with the Hepatitis A, drug use, mental illness, and homelessness that had all connected with each other and also the amount of deaths that were reported along with them. Drug abuse is a serious problem in America and the large cities and even small towns there within the states. Along with the drug abuse, the homelessness in America is at overwhelming numbers too. Also, the amount of homeless people who turn to drugs for any number of reasons are also in alarming numbers. With all that drug use and the constant contact with the unsanitary and unlivable streets in which they have to call home, they are contracting Hepatitis A. This is why there has to be something done in order to help reduce these statistics from the rate from which they are going. There definitely needs to be a place where there is access to clean needles so that they can do their drugs without contaminating themselves with harmful viruses. On top of that, they need counseling and a place in which they feel safe and secure, because if somebody does not feel as if they are safe they will surely leave.
ReplyDelete-MickSwagger123
I was really kind surprise when see a lot them turn to drug because they can't deal wit reality. Also the number people who turn up death or end up homeless because that all they know or how to do. I do think need be something done before it get out hand like some kind programs or treatment center to help those who are stuck on drug's.It was very good read this article because i learn some new thing about homeless, Mental Health.
Delete-Panthers123
Hepatitis A, homelessness, drug use, and mental illness are all connected together. These different tragedies that people struggle with everyday are all connected. One way or another if someone gets one of these addictions, illnesses or misfortunes then the others seem to follow not too far behind. This vicious cycle will usually start with either mental illness or homelessness. If someone is mentally ill, and they are not given the proper help they need, or they are just merely abandoned by their family they usually have no other choice but to become homeless. Once they are homeless the mental torture that comes with being homeless just makes their situation worse. In other cases if someone who is mentally sane, and becomes homeless just from bad luck in their life they can become mentally ill. Once they are both homeless and mentally ill then they will often turn to drugs, and not safe or clean ones. These drugs are an escape for the people who suffer everyday with their minds. They can become addicted to these drugs very easily from the feeling that it gives them. Like I said the drugs that homeless people use are dirty, dangerous, and fairly easily attainable. This is where many of the diseases and illnesses come from, along with the unsanitary conditions that these people are forced to live in. If these people get an illness such as hepatitis A, and they have nowhere to go to get help then they are very susceptible to die from it. These people need help before they get low enough to where they begin to use these drugs in the unsanitary ways which raises the risk for these diseases. People are beginning to come up with ideas on how to help these people. One of those ideas being safe injection establishments. This is not a solution however, this needs to just be the beginning of a better, more efficient way to help those in need. Wings123
ReplyDeleteWhen reading this I already knew that homelessness was linked to mental illness and chronic drug use and addiction. What I did not realise that hepatitis A is also a very big problem regarding the homeless and people that are incarcerated. It makes sense how these people could easily get it by using dirty needles and being in contact with someone who already has it by being homeless in those poor living conditions. It also makes sense with the incarcerated. With many prisons being very overcrowded it is no suprise how you could get it while incarcerated with everyone being in a close space. Homelessness and mental illness is a very big problem in the United States that no one really thinks about until they see it for their own eyes. People sometimes automatically think when they see someone homeless that they are just a drug addict and have made bad decisions in their lifetime. People need to realise that maybe there is more to the story that they are mentally ill and their families cannot care for them. Mental illness is in a way like someone breaking a bone, its just someone's mind being broken in a way and need help just like a person that has broken a bone. A lot of people do not realize this or think about it in this way. I liked the fact when they mentioned that more law enforcement and first responders need to be trained in mental health so they can help identify it in a person and instead of just locking them up, help them find the right help so they can get better. This is why I am glad that last semester I took the mental health first aid class. It really opened my eyes on all of these signs and I believe that many more people should take these types of classes so they can also help. Trojan123
ReplyDeleteIt was not very surprising to me to learn that between twenty and twenty-five percent of the homeless population suffers from some form of a serious mental health condition. Typically, the homeless and the those being released from incarceration suffer from what is known as co-occurring disorders, which is where the individual has some form of mental illness and has a drug addiction. According to a 2009 NCH fact sheet, it was found that some people who have a mental health disorder will turn to street drugs in an effort to try to cope with their disorder or as a way to self-medicate themselves. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health Illness, probably the best way to treat co-occurring disorders is by treating them both at the same time in a process called integrated intervention. This includes detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation with psychotherapy, supportive housing, some medications, and self-help. It was pretty discouraging to learn that fifty percent of California’s mental hospital patients were released under Governor Ronald Reagan. There was a lack of support and lack of funding for mental illness. There is no doubt that there is a need for more funding and awareness on the topic of mental health. The article also mentions that some of the funding could come from Medicaid if the Trump administration eliminates the Institutions for Mental Diseases Exclusion.There are ways that are being introduced to help save lives of those suffering from mental health illness and substance abuse even if they are not exactly in the mental health or criminal justice system. Some of these are by having safe injection sites for substance abusers to prevent overdose deaths, which I like the overall concept behind it on preventing deaths but it is not a permanent solution to getting these people the help they need. Another way, according to this article, is by providing maintenance drugs such as methadone to addicts as a way to help prevent withdrawal. There is also drugs available to treat mental health illnesses as well through this. I believe that it is very crucial for emergency responders, not necessarily just police officers, to be highly trained and have the awareness of how to handle and help people suffering from mental illness. Gymlife123
ReplyDeleteIn the article, it says that most homeless people are either mental ill or have some type of disease. That’s said because they could offer them help. Not only are they homeless but the fact that they are hurting or even spreading things around is what’s. Of course, they are going to use street drugs to get them better, they have no other way to get better because they can’t go to the hospital or maybe they feel like it would be a waste of time because they might not have money to pay for everything. Also, it says that they were putting people out of the problems because it was too much to handle. First of all, that’s what the program is for is to help them and deal with them. if you can’t do that than its not for you and they need new people. Money is a big issue because we need to be putting money into the right things and things that’s needed to be done like help homeless people overall. The less help the more them homeless people are going to continue to use any type of drugs to use to get better and become addicted with it and the death rates will go up. these are things we have to think about them it comes to the world and how to handle it. -babyblue123
ReplyDeleteReading this article had me shocked at how many different factors can contribute to just one disease getting spread around so quickly. I had figured that drug use would be the main cause because most frequent drug users will use any needle whenever they can just to try and get a high whether that needle be clean or not. Most homeless people who are drug users have no choice but to use dirty needles because they have no way of being able to afford a clean one. Those who have mental illnesses were probably locked up instead of getting help like they needed and while in prison they may have come in contact with someone who was infected, then when they get released they may not be able to work because of their illness and eventually may be forced onto the street where they have to resort to drug use to get by. Then the cycle starts all over again and we are eventually in a never ending loop with no possible good outcome and we really have no solution to the problem as of today. I feel we need to start putting those who need help with mental illnesses in the right facilities, and not just lock them up or if we do lock them up we need to make sure we give them medication when they are released, so they do not feel the need to turn to drugs on the street. We need to have better programs for those who are already out on the street, so they will be able to work and if they are drug users we can help them quit and get back on their feet. We need to start at the source and then work towards all the other factors to help with this problem. Illini123
ReplyDeleteThis is very sad to see that these people are suffering all on their own and there is no one there to help you. It also doesn't help that society as a whole makes fun of those people that have a mental illness or they either don't believe in them. But yet if you break a arm or leg we don't make fun of you? Does that make sense to anyone? Just because we can't physically see what is wrong doesn't mean that there isn't anything that is wrong. These people need help and the United States of America as a country don't help these people enough if at all. We need to further research and fund the treatment for mental health issues and need to stand by it one hundred percent. We can't be the greatest nation in the world or a superpower if we can't help and take care of our own people that made this country what it is today. I did figure that people who suffer from mental health problems would be more prone to be homeless and get involved with drugs. No matter how many drug dealers we may lock up and take off the streets there are still drugs getting to these people. That is why we need to increase our border security and start there as a starting point to effect the number of drugs, money, and guns coming into the nation immediately. How I am not for sure and I am not saying lets make this the next big money pit because we can't because we don't have money. In this country we spend the money we don't have for immediate gratification and look to pay back later. Something must be done and something big has to be done sooner than later because the longer we wait the worse the problem becomes. NDIrish123.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is sad to see people like this. I really don't think people see this and if they do they won't help them out. When I become a officer, I will try to do my best to help them out by getting help. Some of these people are scared to get help but they need it.
Delete-- Softball456
Reading this article was pretty surprising to me. It was surprising to me about all the numbers of the cases that deal with hepatitis A , all the drug use, mental illness, and people that are homeless. To heat that the homeless suffer from mental illness and drug use is very sad because I wish that they could find someone to help them get back on track and let them know that drugs will not be able to help them solve anything. In the article to hear that 20 to 25 percent of the homeless population in the U.S. suffers from some form of mental illness is very sad to think about. I think that even though they are homeless they are still people, they still need help in life and still need some sort of support. I think we all need to help and figure a solution out for the homeless to be able to get check ups to see that everything is running normal and see if they are okay. Yes I understand it is hard to just give free services out but, to hear that so many homeless people are dying because of drug overdose or having something seriously wrong with them is heartbreaking. To lose everything is hard on someone you can’t expect them to cope with it. We need to get them help before we lose them. A start to this problem should be trying to start better programs for those who are already on the streets, so they can get better if they are using drugs and we can try to help them to quit. We need to start from the source of where it is coming from and work towards having a better society. Smile123
ReplyDeleteReading this article was pretty surprising to me. It was surprising to me about all the numbers of the cases that deal with hepatitis A , all the drug use, mental illness, and people that are homeless. To think about all the homeless people out their have to turn to drugs to see if it can make them better is heartbreaking. I also think that they think they won’t have money to help them get better so they take the worse path possible for them. I feel that there needs to be more programs to help them get back on their feet and give them the help that they need. For a fact you can’t just arrest them because that will give them no chance of the help. These people are still human beings they are just different because they can’t really control what they do or don’t have really other options. Another thing that seems like a big problem is seeing someone with mental illness to just get sent home and act like it’s not a problem but, it actually is a problem. Mental Illness takes over someone’s body and doesn’t stop. I think there needs to be a place where they can go to get checked out and get the help they need before it escalates into something major. Punishing someone for they way the act isn’t gonna work addiction is a serious problem and it is hard to stop it. Smile456
ReplyDeleteThe number of hep A infected people also staggered me. Especially the association it had with the homeless, and mentally ill. I don't think they are turning to drugs because they think it will make them better off. I honestly think they are just giving up in a sense. I agree that more needs to be done to help with these issues. Which is why I like this article, since it is showing new programs hoping to help. Also agree with the mentally ill needing more evaluation, and although we had a lot in the past. Now we don't. If we could get more backing by local officials or the gov itself, then we could do more.
Delete^~^ Itis123
First off, the article is very well written, and considerate. Talking about mental issues is always a touchy subject, and even, sometimes, talking about the homeless is too. Seems like areas with more homeless people are being hit the hardest by the hepatitis A wave. Mental people making up a group of the homeless population has also been an ongoing issue for a while now. Seems like with budget cuts to government aid, everyone couldn’t keep up and ended up with no one to turn to. Especially, mentally handicapped people. WIth no family, and no one willing to hire you, what else is there to do? I agree that this needs to be fixed. I think the safe injection sites will help, and we will see results in the near future. It needs to be funded, and more sites open up though. It also opens up jobs for people, and even, possibly, gets criminals off the streets. Or, at least drug addicts. Nobody wants to see people lives get ruined due to a reliance on drugs. Especially not locked away. I really do like the other program as well. The NAMI are working on detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation, and even supportive housing. This is super beneficial to people suffering from mental illness with nowhere to go. It also keeps them out of jails, or prisons. Lord knows we need more mental disabled people incarcerated. Plus, this way they know for sure the person is trying to better themselves, and not just getting a free spot to shoot up. These treatment ideas will also help with the spread of hep A but not by a lot. All in all, I think we need to be more supportive to these ideas and start funding them. If things don’t work out, we go back to what we did. Doesn’t hurt to try new things sometimes.
ReplyDelete^~^ Itis123
I agree with you that talking about mental issues and homeless is a very touchy subject. Even though it may be hard to talk about we still gotta realize it is a issue in our society and it needs to be fixed. I also think that what you said about the government aid cutting people is actually very sad because you’re right some people can’t afford things they need and they might have no one to turn to as you stated. I feel like people need to realize it is hard for people to get a job because of what they have. It is very shocking to me to hear all of this because you really never know how someone’s life is going. Smile456
DeleteAfter reading this article, it was surprising to me how high the number of percent of the homeless population with the mental health problem in 2009. It was not surprising to me those homeless people have drug addictions, alcohol additions, having some disease, and mental health issue. It said in the article that high-risk groups include the homeless, the incarcerated and those released from prison suffers mental health issue, and I do believe that. I think that they develop mental health issue before being imprisoned and the one reason for that is drug use. And while they are behind bars all we do is give them time as punishment but not help to treat their problems. Then what would happen after that is they go back what they are doing and get worse? What I do not understand under Reagan administration why he ended funding the federal community mental health centers. I believe to get the problem under control and prevent future outbreaks, we have to sacrifice to help the people in need of support, but instead, we go the other way. One thing I believe is to lower the amount of homeless, mentally ill, and addicted we have to do something to help them to get better instead of putting them behind bars just to clean the street. I know a lot of people are against the so-called “Safe Injection Site,” but for me, it was worth a try because if we look how the other countries are using it, they do not have deaths because of overdosing. We cannot say right away that it will not do any good because we never tried it here in the United States. In all, mental health and homeless is one of the problems in the United States and the world. We have to try new approach instead of the old ways and end up seeing the same result. -Chopper123
ReplyDeleteWhen I got done reading “Homeless, Mentally Ill and Addicted: The Downward Spiral” by Stephen Bitsoli, I thought it was a really ab opener. The reason why it was an eye opener because it shows how many cases there was and the deaths of people. In California there was 683 cases in January 23, with 21 deaths. In Michigan there was 715 cases in January 24, with 24 deaths. In Colorado there was 62 cases, with no death reports. Why is that? We will never find that out. The reason why because there were no police officers report the deaths in Colorado. According to the National Coalition for Homeless (NCH) there is 20 to 25 percent of homeless people in the United states that has sever mental illness. California’s mental health systems has found that there is 15 percent was homeless in the 12 months. The ones that have the mental illness use street drugs that lead to addictions and disease transmission. The mentally ill people usually go home but some of them stay on the streets because their loves one isn’t ready to handle them, or they don’t know how to handle them. I would think they would go to a sheltered area to stay at, but some place wouldn’t take them because they don’t want those type of people in their building.
ReplyDelete-- softball456
When I got done reading “Homeless, Mentally Ill and Addicted: The Downward Spiral” by Stephen Bitsoli, I thought it was a really ab opener. The reason why it was an eye opener because it shows how many cases there was and the deaths of people. In California there was 683 cases in January 23, with 21 deaths. In Michigan there was 715 cases in January 24, with 24 deaths. In Colorado there was 62 cases, with no death reports. Why is that? We will never find that out. The reason why because there were no police officers report the deaths in Colorado. According to the National Coalition for Homeless (NCH) there is 20 to 25 percent of homeless people in the United states that has sever mental illness. California’s mental health systems has found that there is 15 percent was homeless in the 12 months. The ones that have the mental illness use street drugs that lead to addictions and disease transmission. The mentally ill people usually go home but some of them stay on the streets because their loves one isn’t ready to handle them, or they don’t know how to handle them. I would think they would go to a sheltered area to stay at, but some place wouldn’t take them because they don’t want those type of people in their building. I think that is wrong because they should let them in and help them out but they won’t.
ReplyDelete-- softball123
Everything in this article ties together. Not everyone encounters someone who deals with mental health. I have had one and one personal experiences with them. My boyfriend's bother suffers from mental health and it breaks my heart to watch others treat him differently because he is different. There are things he cannot control, and I have a feeling he will not be able to live on his own and the others like him might become homeless because they cannot do the things they need to live on their own. Now the homeless people usually are homeless because they got into drugs and it took over their life, but there are some good people who are homeless. The numbers for drug addiction and homelessness are kind of overwhelming to look at because it kind of makes me think, what has our society come to? Why can't we help those who are homeless and addicted to drugs? Provide treatment and shelter for them to get back on your feet and off of drugs. It is a bad vicious cycle that we need to stop. We need to support and find a way to fund mental illness because how can fifty percent of people with mental illness gets released from receiving help due to lack of support and funding is awful. They are people too and do not deserve to get dehumanized.
ReplyDelete~Dance123
Seeing some of the statistics that involve the homeless that suffer from mental illness and those that are abusing drugs or alcohol was quite stunning. What was really interesting was some of the factors that have led to this sort of epidemic over the last few decades. The author mentioned when Michigan closed all mental health hopsitals which released their patients to the families that were not ready to care for their friend or family member that had been suffering from a mental illness. This comes with supervision and medical costs for medicine that many families just do not have the resources for, which led to the patients who were released becoming homeless. Now you have citizens who not only have a mental health condition, but now they are homeless with no access to healthcare of any form. This is where the drugs come in. Which leads to the diseases that these people are getting from using drugs as their own self medication. This snowball effect goes back decades and the use of Safe Consumption Sites has been saving cities millions of dollars a year in medical costs due to the management of overdoeses and deaths that these sites are preventing.
ReplyDelete-DaBears123
There has been so many articles and surveys done for mentally ill, homeless, and addiction by themselves but not all together, which it just proves in this article that they all tie into together. It is sad how the statistics show that there isn't much help for them because one place pushes them off to another place or think that one place is going to take care of them when they don't. A lot of people turn their head and use judgement against these people, which isn't right. These people are humans and they deserve to have help and treatment, they don't deserve to be stranded on the streets with no one there to help them. I knew that addiction and homeless tied into each other because becoming homeless I am sure would make you want to give up on everything and turn to drugs to cure the pain because there isn't anything else out there to help. It is aggravating to read and to see how many people get turned away or sent "home" because of their issues and battles they are trying to fight by themselves, everyone deserves the opportunity to get help and have comfort in it. Like it said in the article people may think they are helping them with one problem like say addiction but aren't helping with the other two problems one is having, so like it said the treatment would be more effective if it was all given at the same time. I also agree with how the article said that everyone should be trained and knowledgable of all the signs on if the person is suffering from mental illness, drug addiction and so on. In my opionin instead of turning our heads on these issues we need to support them and get more progams out there to help them. Motocross123
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. They all lead into one thing. They all are connected. Everyone should have insight on the state and the meaning of homeless, addiction, and mental ill. Not everyone is and that's another problem. (Equality 123)
DeleteThe current state of homelessness in the United States came about as a result of policy changes in the 1980s and 1990s. By shutting down state mental hospitals, these homeless individuals were left with nowhere else to go except the street. Furthermore, there's a strong correlation between being homeless and having either or both a mental illness or substance abuse problem. Due to these two factors, most homeless people are, therefore, unable to take care of themselves to the same manner and degree that the general population cares for themselves. It's no surprise then, that many outbreaks of certain diseases and infections can be traced back to the homeless population. Without possessing the mental requisite to maintain hygiene standards or sexual health standards, the spread of such conditions among this population has been rampant. Furthermore, without access to adequate shelter and facilities such as restrooms or kitchens, the risk of incubation and spread increases even further. There's no way that the homeless population is going to spontaneously solve it's problems without outside assistance. The general population needs to cease ignoring and isolating the homeless and start to focus more on helping and treating these people. The largest mental health care facilities in the United States are the Cook County Jail and Rikers Island. By closing state mental health facilities in the 90s, we didn't solve or dispose of mental health problems present in the US. By sweeping these problems under the rug, they've only worsened. Not only in the aspect of the quality of life of the homeless population, but also as far as individual volatility is concerned. The rash of recent school shootings serves as a perfect example of what can happen if we continue to neglect mental health care. Restricting gun accessibility or similar tactics are only temporary solutions that are the equivalent of giving aspirin to someone experiencing a heart attack. The aspirin will aggregate the platelets in the blood, hence helping to prevent any further clots, but the person still has a massive clot restricting blood flow to the heart. In order to solve the situation, you need to give the person clot-busting drugs and consider inserting a catheter to destroy the clot. In other words, aspirin is certainly helpful and will keep the person stable until they reach a hospital, but they really need to undo the clot. Firearm restrictions will help like aspirin, but without solving the mental health crisis in the country, the clot is still going to exist. Whether it be school shootings or problems in the homeless community, my heart attack metaphor applies to both similarly. Ignoring the problem isn't going to make the problem disappear. Without proper mental health care institutions available across the entire country, the problem isn't going to solve itself and only continue to devolve and branch out into further problems. -Gwynbleidd123
ReplyDeleteThe current state of homelessness in the United States came about as a result of policy changes in the 1980s and 1990s. By shutting down state mental hospitals, these homeless individuals were left with nowhere else to go except the street. Furthermore, there's a strong correlation between being homeless and having either or both a mental illness or substance abuse problem. Due to these two factors, most homeless people are, therefore, unable to take care of themselves to the same manner and degree that the general population cares for themselves. It's no surprise then, that many outbreaks of certain diseases and infections can be traced back to the homeless population. Without possessing the mental requisite to maintain hygiene standards or sexual health standards, the spread of such conditions among this population has been rampant. Furthermore, without access to adequate shelter and facilities such as restrooms or kitchens, the risk of incubation and spread increases even further. There's no way that the homeless population is going to spontaneously solve it's problems without outside assistance. The general population needs to cease ignoring and isolating the homeless and start to focus more on helping and treating these people. The largest mental health care facilities in the United States are the Cook County Jail and Rikers Island. By closing state mental health facilities in the 90s, we didn't solve or dispose of mental health problems present in the US. By sweeping these problems under the rug, they've only worsened. Not only in the aspect of the quality of life of the homeless population, but also as far as individual volatility is concerned. The rash of recent school shootings serves as a perfect example of what can happen if we continue to neglect mental health care. Restricting gun accessibility or similar tactics are only temporary solutions that are the equivalent of giving aspirin to someone experiencing a heart attack. The aspirin will aggregate the platelets in the blood, hence helping to prevent any further clots, but the person still has a massive clot restricting blood flow to the heart. In order to solve the situation, you need to give the person clot-busting drugs and consider inserting a catheter to destroy the clot. In other words, aspirin is certainly helpful and will keep the person stable until they reach a hospital, but they really need to undo the clot. Firearm restrictions will help like aspirin, but without solving the mental health crisis in the country, the clot is still going to exist. Whether it be school shootings or problems in the homeless community, my heart attack metaphor applies to both similarly. Ignoring the problem isn't going to make the problem disappear. Without proper mental health care institutions available across the entire country, the problem isn't going to solve itself and only continue to devolve and branch out into further problems. -Gwynbleidd456
ReplyDeleteI think that homeless people get overlooked due to them being homeless. I don’t believe that is fair though. No one knows what happened in their life to land them in that situation, yet they judge them. When they are sick, they self medicate. Everyone knows that's not a good idea. This causes them to use the wrong medication and sometimes use the medication when they don't even need it. Most of homeless people are mentally ill. That’s not something they can control. I believe they need helped. They don’t know where to turn or anything and they need guidance. Addiction is rising in homeless people do to their mental state and physical. (Equality 123)
ReplyDelete