Introduction – Description of Issue
The lack of mental health services available to the mentally ill has created a public health concern. The deficiency of mental health treatment for those in need has long-term consequences which negatively impact communities and families.
Folsom (2005), shows a correlation between homelessness and untreated mental health issues in the United States. The research suggests that approximately one-third of the homeless population have a significant mental health diagnosis such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Mental health issues can impact anyone. However, those who remain untreated and have additional risks factors such as lower socioeconomic conditions or substance abuse issues are …show more content…
Prior to this law, there were no community-based treatment facilities. Therefore, the mentally ill population was being institutionalized in hospital settings. Following this law, those patients were able to reenter the community while still receiving mental health treatment. This was also the beginning of improved psychiatric medications and creative therapeutic interventions. These implementations assisted in the reduction of mental health cost and helped with the negative stigma of mental health care treatment. These efforts set the foundation for comprehensive care which then included substance abuse and addiction treatment (National Council for Behavioral Health, …show more content…
This foundation supports programs that provide mental health services to veterans and their families. The National Center has launched a pilot program across multiple sites in Massachusetts. They have partnered with The New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Veterans Inc, and Soldier On to provide mental health treatment for homeless, female veterans who are living community-based centers. The center’s research showed that female veterans are two to four times more likely to be homeless than non-veteran females. It also suggests that and 81% to 93% of these women have experienced significant trauma while on duty. Hence, the National Center is working on raising awareness about these issues and developing trauma-informed care to cater to this specific population (The National Center on Family Homelessness,
The lack of mental health services available to the mentally ill has created a public health concern. The deficiency of mental health treatment for those in need has long-term consequences which negatively impact communities and families.
Folsom (2005), shows a correlation between homelessness and untreated mental health issues in the United States. The research suggests that approximately one-third of the homeless population have a significant mental health diagnosis such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Mental health issues can impact anyone. However, those who remain untreated and have additional risks factors such as lower socioeconomic conditions or substance abuse issues are …show more content…
Prior to this law, there were no community-based treatment facilities. Therefore, the mentally ill population was being institutionalized in hospital settings. Following this law, those patients were able to reenter the community while still receiving mental health treatment. This was also the beginning of improved psychiatric medications and creative therapeutic interventions. These implementations assisted in the reduction of mental health cost and helped with the negative stigma of mental health care treatment. These efforts set the foundation for comprehensive care which then included substance abuse and addiction treatment (National Council for Behavioral Health, …show more content…
This foundation supports programs that provide mental health services to veterans and their families. The National Center has launched a pilot program across multiple sites in Massachusetts. They have partnered with The New England Center for Homeless Veterans, Veterans Inc, and Soldier On to provide mental health treatment for homeless, female veterans who are living community-based centers. The center’s research showed that female veterans are two to four times more likely to be homeless than non-veteran females. It also suggests that and 81% to 93% of these women have experienced significant trauma while on duty. Hence, the National Center is working on raising awareness about these issues and developing trauma-informed care to cater to this specific population (The National Center on Family Homelessness,