This video has given me a new meaning to what it is like living with a mental illness such as schizophrenia. I work with youth who live in a group home setting and who have been diagnosed with a mental illness and I always ask myself: What options do these kids have once they turn eighteen and are out on their own? While I was doing research for this blog, I found that there aren’t too many choices for people to choose from. Various policies that have been put in place have marginalized those diagnosed with a metal illness. As we move from institutionalized approach in providing care to one that is community based, we find more and more people with mental illness, especially those diagnosed with schizophrenia living in poverty or homeless.
Several policies have been implemented in Canada, specifically in Ontario, regarding the social well-being of those with mental illness. These policies have been put in place to raise awareness of the issue that is evident in out society. In 1993 New Democratic Party (NDP) released a 10-year plan called Putting People First, which focused on only 4 key points, one of them being housing. The report also contains the explicit recognition that poverty confronts many people with severe mental illness stating that most people with mental health illness are poor, and they have difficulty getting the basics in life, such as shelter and jobs, as well as treatment and community support services (Wilton, 2004, p. 28).
The statistics that I found regarding the homelessness in Canada was somewhat discouraging. Data from the 2001 census Canada indicate that 14 000 individuals were homeless in this country, a number that is believed to be vastly under-represented (Frankizsh, 2005, 24). Homelessness is the result of complex interactions of factors at the individual level, such as mental health, and at the societal level such as poverty, high housing costs, decreased public benefits and discrimination. Even though homelessness has an effect on health, for some individuals suffering with mental illness the sickness is a factor in becoming homeless. However, it was interesting to find that only 6 percent of homeless people have in Canada been diagnosed with schizophrenia (Frankizsh, 2005, 25).
People with mental illness have to deal with numerous issues that are constructed by our society. I think that problem starts at the diagnosis and the labeling of a person with illness. People who are living with mental illness experience discrimination on one hand, and have to deal with their own medical condition on the other. Putting policies in place and then cutting off their funding is not a solution to ending poverty among those living with mental illness.
-Medina
References
Frankish, C.J., Hwang, S.W. and Quantz, D. (2005). Homelessness and health in Canada: Research lessons and priorities. Canadian Journal of Public Health. 96: 23-29.
Wilton, R. (2004). Putting policy into practice. Poverty and people with serious mental illness. Social Science and Medicine, 58: 25-39.
Good post Medina! It makes me up-set to think of all those people who are suffering in the cold right now. Especially since Canada should have free health care for everyone, and by the time they recieve some sort of help, it could be way to late! I wish Winnipeg would be able to give more help to those in need so they could get the same care as everyone else. You never know why their in the situation they are in, basically you should never judge a book by its cover and give them some healthcare!
ReplyDeleteJordyn
Very intriguing post! It is extremely hard to believe and upsetting to hear that the assistance people need to obtain the basic essentials of life is not there. The Canadian government should have more resources available to people living in poverty with mental illness.
ReplyDeleteSerena
Great post! This is a topic I am very interested in. When I volunteered in the Exchange District, I encountered a number of people living on the streets that had mental disorders, mainly schizophenia and depression. One individual was actually an ex Toronto Blue Jays player. When he was diagnosed with schizophrenia he was let go from the team and subsequently moved here to Winnipeg. At one point in his life he was successful making a large salary to today being homeless and living on the streets of downtown Winnipeg. It is extremely sad he did not have any support system when he needed it the most. I bet people walking past him today would never guess that he was once a famous baseball player.
ReplyDeleteShauna Richardson
Great post! I had watched a video in my psychology class last year that was talking about your very topic in this blog. They videotaped this one man who was diagnosed with schizophrenia. I can't find the video on youtube but this man lived on the streets and refused help because his illness made him extremely paranoid. I can't imagine how difficult homelessness would be by itself, but with any sort of mental illness I'm sure it would be much harder and I would hope that there are shelters to help them. Loved the video!
ReplyDelete-Nicole (Nikki) S.
This post touched me. I imagine no one realizes the extent to which mental illness affects an individual or those who care about that person. To me, this is one of those things that a person thinks will never happen to them, but realistically, that same person could wake up and start experiencing symptoms related to mental illness. People who live with mental illness do require a lot of assistance, may it be someone who drops in once a day, calls and checks up on them, or maybe even a live-in caregiver. I have never in my life met a person with a mental illness who independently takes ALL of their prescribed medication as the doctor had ordered, even if the intention is there initially. Although I cannot relate to schizophrenia, I know all too well the mania of bi-polar disorder. No mental illness is fun, and if people could choose, I'm sure not a single person would opt for a life where they were not in conscious control of themselves at all times. The government really needs to step up to the plate here and extend a helping hand to those in need. No one should live like this.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa
I agree with your closing statement. It is always great to hear about new programs for supporting the homeless but the funding always seems to disappear. My heart goes out to those homeless living with mental illness. They have so many potential set backs in life, something needs to be done for them.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
-Katelyn
Great post! I work in a group home as well and when it comes to funding for placements after the age of 18 the options for future placements are very scarce. One thing that I've noticed is that clients with diagnoses such as schizophrenia and FASD, although the placements are scarce they are still being placed before discharged. One thing that I've noticed is those with diagnosis such as depression are not eligible for any funding or continued placement, regardless of how hindering this mental illness is for the person. Therefore these people are left with a severe illness to fend for themselves at the age of 18, unless they have a criminal record. I think the government definitely has to address this problem because NEVER should committing a crime be a possible solution to getting your needs met.
ReplyDeleteLeah