Healthy Communities: Theory and Practice - Mental Illness and Homelessness

Running head: Mental Illness and Homelessness

Mental Illness and Homelessness

Caren J. Bock

University of Phoenix

Healthy Communities: Theory and Practice

NUR 405

June 26, 2009

Mental Illness & Homelessness

"The condition of not having a permanent place to live, widely perceived as a societal problem, only beginning in the 1980's. A survey made in 1994 found that 12 million Americans had experienced homelessness at some point in their lives." (Questia, 1995, p.1) Homelessness defines an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The causes of homelessness stem from poverty, eroding work opportunities, decline in public assistance, lack of healthcare, domestic violence, mental illness and addiction disorders. These contributing factors create a pool of vulnerability relying on state and national public assistance for food, shelter, health-care and protection (Camillus House, 2008, p.4).

Healthy People 2010

Reducing the proportion of homeless adults who have serious mental illness is a health objective of Healthy People 2010. These health objectives can be used by individuals, professionals, and communities to improve the health of people in the nation and in the South Florida community (Healthy 2010, 2008). A description of the healthy objectives, interventions, and teaching strategies using Watson's Theory of Human Caring will be described to improve the health of the individuals with mental illness and the homeless.

Community Health Issue

While watching the news after my nursing shift I was astonished to see what had happened that day. A security camera located in a local building had caught the tragic event on tape and exposed a situation which is plaguing our community. In the early morning hours, two teenage boys roaming the streets had encountered a homeless man. Without provocation, the boys assaulted a homeless man fatally. Not only is the homeless population at tremendous risk for violent and non-violent crimes but also various related health conditions due to a lack of medical treatment and a safe environment.

Who are the homeless and how do they end up in such a vulnerable population?

Living in South Florida, the trends are apparent our homeless population is growing. Relaxed vagrancy laws and warm weather had made Southern Florida a place of destination for many homeless individuals. Many cities in Florida, including Key West have policies which allow vagrants to sleep on public beaches and many other public areas.

Local Data

According to the Annual Report on Homelessness conditions in Florida conducted by DCF by Tom Pierce, indicated that Florida has 60,168 homeless persons in the 27 local homeless coalitions in 2007. This number is significantly down from 85,907 in 2006 but the report states the number is most likely inaccurate due to the counting methods used. According to the report a person is considered homeless if they "are sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation, an emergency shelter, or in transitional housing having come into that housing from the street or from emergency shelter."(Pierce, 2007, p.1)

Description of homeless issue

Homelessness, poverty and mental illnesses are inextricably linked leading to a lack of resource necessities. Housing, food, child care, healthcare and education are unable to be paid leading to homelessness and vulnerability. In South Florida, a family needs to work 126 hours a week at minimum wage in order to afford a moderately priced two bedroom apartment (Camillus House, 2008, p.4). Nearly a third of persons living in poverty had no health insurance of any kind. Homelessness impacts health and well-being, with extremely high rates of acute health issues to severe health problems. Children without housing experience have numerous problems from asthma, ear infections to stomach and speech issues. They also have a higher rate of mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and withdrawal.

Mental Health and Community Resources

Most mental and physical health problems can be maintained through proper medication, treatment, and diagnosis. Being denied of this basic health and wellness makes this situation much worse. Without proper medication even a mild illness can become an overwhelming burden. Combine this with an unstable living and treatment environment can escalate to this vulnerable population to life threatening consequences. Local services are available but are few and far between for the homeless populations. Broward Health has operated since 1993,