With the documented rise of mental illness and the rise of homelessness in America, it's unfortunate that an epidemic that is costing Americans billions in lost earnings alone is getting more of its already dwindling resources cut.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) www.nimh.nih.gov/ estimates that 193 billion dollars is lost annually due to major mental illness. According to NIMH mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) www.nami.org/ estimates that 1 in 4 adults over the age of 18 suffer from some form of mental illness with about 1 in 17 suffering from serious mental illness. Serious mental illness (SMI) includes major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), and (DID) Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly multiple personality disorder. Many of these adults end up homeless due to difficulty maintaining gainful employment, lack of funds for necessary medical treatments and medication and managing personal relationships.
The National Law Center on Homelessness estimated 3.5 million people were homeless in 2007 even though it is hard to place a number on how many homeless there are due to their transient nature. It is estimated that approximately 40% of those homeless individuals are afflicted with SMI.
Al Levine, program manager for Lane County Mental Health voiced his concern "All the funding that helps the less fortunate, especially the homeless with mental disabilities, are on the chopping block." Levine believes that many mentally ill homeless are paranoid and suspicious of state and government funded programs so they do not seek help anyway. Many of the mentally ill homeless end up in jail or prison as they inevitably break laws to get by. "Things are only going to get worse."
In the Feb. 5, 2009 edition Eugene Weekly reported that Eugene Police Chief Pete Kerns admits that "Lane County doesn't have enough mental health care." He proposes building a bigger jail that would hold over 1,500 beds and cost millions to build.
There are still a few resources in Lane County for the homeless and mentally ill. The Eugene Mission, a homeless shelter located at 1542 W. First Ave. and White Bird, a non-profit human service agency that has counseling available for the mentally ill homeless. White Bird can be contacted at 541-342-8255.
Jeff Souza who works at the front desk at the Eugene Mission expressed his surprise that they currently have several beds available. The mission is down to 150 occupants, they usually are at capacity with 200 people. With no waiting list Souza said "Just come in and we'll put you to sleep."
Who: Mentally ill homeless
Where: Lane Co.
What: More budget cuts
When: On going, upcoming.
Why you should care: Mental illness affects millions of people.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) www.nimh.nih.gov/ estimates that 193 billion dollars is lost annually due to major mental illness. According to NIMH mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S.
The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) www.nami.org/ estimates that 1 in 4 adults over the age of 18 suffer from some form of mental illness with about 1 in 17 suffering from serious mental illness. Serious mental illness (SMI) includes major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), and (DID) Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly multiple personality disorder. Many of these adults end up homeless due to difficulty maintaining gainful employment, lack of funds for necessary medical treatments and medication and managing personal relationships.
The National Law Center on Homelessness estimated 3.5 million people were homeless in 2007 even though it is hard to place a number on how many homeless there are due to their transient nature. It is estimated that approximately 40% of those homeless individuals are afflicted with SMI.
Al Levine, program manager for Lane County Mental Health voiced his concern "All the funding that helps the less fortunate, especially the homeless with mental disabilities, are on the chopping block." Levine believes that many mentally ill homeless are paranoid and suspicious of state and government funded programs so they do not seek help anyway. Many of the mentally ill homeless end up in jail or prison as they inevitably break laws to get by. "Things are only going to get worse."
In the Feb. 5, 2009 edition Eugene Weekly reported that Eugene Police Chief Pete Kerns admits that "Lane County doesn't have enough mental health care." He proposes building a bigger jail that would hold over 1,500 beds and cost millions to build.
There are still a few resources in Lane County for the homeless and mentally ill. The Eugene Mission, a homeless shelter located at 1542 W. First Ave. and White Bird, a non-profit human service agency that has counseling available for the mentally ill homeless. White Bird can be contacted at 541-342-8255.
Jeff Souza who works at the front desk at the Eugene Mission expressed his surprise that they currently have several beds available. The mission is down to 150 occupants, they usually are at capacity with 200 people. With no waiting list Souza said "Just come in and we'll put you to sleep."
Who: Mentally ill homeless
Where: Lane Co.
What: More budget cuts
When: On going, upcoming.
Why you should care: Mental illness affects millions of people.
