Deinstitutionalization Of Homelessness

Introduction There are a multitude of risk factors that increase one’s likelihood of becoming homeless. To begin, homelessness is more common in males, Caucasian or African American people, those lacking Medicaid insurance, and has a higher population in large cities (Folsom, Hawthorne, Lindamer, Gilmer, Baily, Goshan, Garcia, Unützer, Hough & Jeste, 2005). However, there is a risk factor that impacts homelessness greater than anything stated above, and that is mental illness. According to research done among San Diego’s homeless population, 20% of participants had schizophrenia, 17% had bipolar disorder, and 9% had depression (Folsom et al., 2005). The correlation between homelessness and mental illness is pertinent in occupational therapy …show more content…
The lack of adequate resources and support systems in the community lead to a surge in people with mental illness becoming homeless. Today, having a mental illness greatly impacts one’s quality of life. Mental illnesses may contribute to problems carrying out activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, forming relationships and maintaining relationships (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). People with mental illness commonly experience disadvantages within community integration. Disadvantages may include poor education, problems receiving and maintaining employment, and a lack of social integration (Draine, Salzer, Culhane & Hadley, 2012). Negative community integration often leads to a lower socioeconomic status and poverty, increasing the likelihood of becoming …show more content…
While general interventions may work towards steady employment and stable housing, people with mental illness and homelessness are not being given the proper tools to function within their new environments. In the study done by Helfrich, Chan and Sabol (2011), participants were taught life skills. Occupational therapists worked on interventions requiring higher executive functioning and attention skills. Participants enrolled in at least one of the following life skill intervention programs for three weeks, with two meetings per week: self care management, food management, money management, and safe community participation. After each group learning session, there were follow up applications of lessons into practical situations. These interventions were designed to reintegrate participants into the community, by using knowledge gained throughout their