Editor's
Note
It’s
not enough
More
funding and resources necessary for care of the mentally ill
Barbara
Brown, Ed.D., RN, FAAN
Editor, Mountain West Edition
February
5, 2001
What
is it like to be mentally disabled and in jail because no
one accepts or understands enough to help? Does any state
in the union provide adequate insurance for the mentally
disabled? If not, we need to provide federal funds to care
for mental health consumers.
As I
drive in downtown Tucson, Ariz., I am constantly reminded
of the plight of the homeless. About one-third of them also
are mentally disabled.
Mental
illness affects all ages, ethnic groups and genders. Often
you see a man or woman in the median of a busy street trying
to get money for food by selling newspapers or pencils or
simply panhandling. Sometimes people yell out, "Get
a job!"
It isn’t
that easy for the homeless people with mental health problems.
My second
son has been among the jailed and homeless during his 20
years living with schizophrenia. While in Washington state,
he found himself in the King County Jail psychiatric unit
on several occasions. At least they knew him and did not
treat him like a criminal when he became disruptive because
of lack of care and medication.
He also
has been homeless, living in the woods or the desert, burying
his clothes in the ground so that no one would steal them.
When this first happened, after his state assistance was
cut off, I thought it would be enough help if I bought a
mobile home for him within 30 miles of where I lived in
Colorado. But mental health services were available only
twice a month at a clinic. People who understand mental
health needs know that is not enough.
So he
became homeless again trying to find his way back to Seattle
for mental health help, but found that what had been available
there was gone. So back to Arizona he came, after wandering
hither and yon, placing phone calls to me for clothing and
so on, and winding up in sheriff’s departments along the
way.
It’s
a long story, but now he is safe and in regular counseling
sessions four times a week. He lives on his own, receives
his medications regularly and tries to live on less than
$500 per month.
For
my son, family members who care and provide food, clothing
and more to supplement his meager allotment from Social
Security help close the financial gap.
I believe
the mentally disabled in this country need far more resources
than have been allocated for their care.
Nurses
can help by trying to find family members or a surrogate
family to be a support system for the mentally ill.
Many
are unwilling to be treated for their illness, and even
court commitments may not change their minds about that.
I know, because I was there with my son in the early years
of his severe illness.
We are
fortunate now that Mike knows he does not ever want to be
homeless again, and also knows how much his family loves
him and always will be there for him while he continues
his independent lifestyle as a mental health consumer.
What
do you think?
Email us at
editor@nurseweek.com
