Homelessness & Depression

A staggering number of the homeless population suffer from untreated mental illness. Their psychological and physical inability to obtain and maintain a job, accurately balance their finances and have positive relationships often has cost them the very roof over their heads.

The Numbers

• While approximately 6 percent of the American population is severely mentally ill, the National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that 20 to 25 percent of the single adult homeless population is sick and untreated. A study done by researchers at Ohio State University, published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing in 1999, also showed that more than half of all homeless children battled depression.

Obstacles

• A 1999 article in the New York Times discussed the obstacles that many homeless people with mental illness face. It is often difficult to diagnose bipolar disorder--an illness otherwise known as manic depression that causes extreme mood swings, including crippling depression--because, often, by the time a homeless patient is seen for treatment, the illness is in the latter stages. The further along bipolar disorder gets, the more it can mimic schizophrenia.

  The lack of employment and health insurance often makes it impossible for a homeless patient to undergo continuous treatment once a diagnosis is made. The cost of medication and counseling cannot be sustained. Because many people with mental illness have cut ties with friends and family, peer support is often nonexistent.
  Therefore, there is no "accountability" to help patients get to counseling or take their medication properly. This can be the result of the homeless person shutting their loved ones out, or friends and family backing away because it is too much stress to bear.

Why Homelessness Is a Concern for Everyone

• People who are homeless and suffer from mental disorders often turn to drug abuse. Drug use is both caused by and the cause of homelessness; however, for the homeless, it is often a way of "treating" their illness because legitimate treatment cannot be obtained. Untreated, addiction can result in worsening mental disorders an increased inability to find steady work and become re-established.

  Diseases such as AIDS, pneumonia and tuberculosis present a particular challenge, as they can be spread to multiple people in the homeless community and well beyond.

  There is also a lack of available shelter. In 2006, a study done by the National Mental Health Association showed that supported housing is effective in helping mentally ill homeless people to get their lives on track. Supported housing is designed to provide shelter, and also mental health treatment, physical health care, education and employment opportunities, life skills training, money management training, as well as support from peers.

  Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in February 2009, but there is still inadequate funding, given the vast number of homeless people in America.

Combating The Problem

• In addition to more funding for housing, better mental health treatment is necessary. A survey by U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2008 showed that 20 percent of cities listed better coordination with mental health services as one of the top three things they needed to deal with their homeless problem. Outreach services are also more effective when workers are able to develop a consistent relationship with the people they are there to serve. Better drug treatment services are also on this list.

  One proposal that is designed specifically to help mentally ill and drug-addicted homeless men and women is the Homeless Access to Recovery through Treatment Act (HART), which was introduced in November 2007 and referred to the Subcommittee on Health. The item was never passed, but continues to be modified in the hope that it can be re-introduced in the future. The goal of HART is "ensure homeless people with addictions and mental illness receive the necessary treatment and assistance to help them recover and end their homeless conditions."

How You Can Help

• While government may provide funding, much of the outreach work can be done by concerned, everyday citizens.

  There are numerous homeless self-help and empowerment programs you can get involved in. Some of these include:
  --Volunteering to become a community organizer through the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH)
  --Conducting a homeless voter registration
  --Joining the NHC National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project
  --Joining a policy work group
  --Joining a speaker's bureau
  --Joining your local or statewide homeless/housing coalition

Homelessness In The Future

• When calculating the homeless rate, it may make more sense to count those who eventually will become homeless versus "homeless people" who are in society right now. Due to the stresses involved in depression and other mental disorders, those who suffer from such disorders are more likely to experience homelessness at some point in their lives than those who do not. A study done by California's mental health system, found that 15 percent of people suffering from mental illness would become homeless at least once in the course of one year, the National Coalition for the Homeless reports. Becoming homeless is often a process that takes years--years of untreated mental disorders, poor work history and low financial status.