3 ms·

Also it's in part because mental illnesses still come with a huge stigmatization in this country (USA). If you're diagnosed with schizophrenia, you're not norma

Also it's in part because mental illnesses still come with a huge stigmatization in this country (USA). If you're diagnosed with schizophrenia, you're not normal, and something is wrong with you. Even though mentally ill people are more likely to be taken advantage of than commit a crime because of their illness, society does not trust you if you're schizophrenic. In fact many people make fun of the mentally ill or totally ignore them. If you live in the bay area you don't have to look far for proof, just look out your window. When I visited I was surprised to see so little thought given to the countless, clearly mentally ill homeless people in almost every part of San Francisco. I can feel some of you scrambling to justify how it's somehow their fault, how it's okay to not care that they are mentally ill and homeless, that they somehow chose that life. I do it, too, because it's part of our cultural programming. Someone fairly close to me is affected by the illness, and I've discovered it's not something you can just talk about. If someone close to you has heart disease, you'll get sympathy. If someone close to you has schizophrenia, it's almost shameful to talk about. It just doesn't get the same amount of sympathy.

smsm42 13y ago
What would be a good way to help a person who is mentally ill, homeless and is not fitting any structure like a hospital? I.e. if the person agrees to undergo treatment program, stay in the facility, etc. it's fine but what to do if they are not?
- Mz 13y ago
  Homelessness is complicated, both the causes and the solutions. I am big on trying to light a single candle rather than curse the darkness. Here is my candle for homelessness: http://sandiegohomelesssurvivalguide.blogspot.com/ http://sandiegohomelesssurvivalguide.blogspot.com/ I also speak out here and on Metafilter. My diagnosis is not a mental health issue, it is medical, but it is clear to me that it impacts my mental functioning. My answer for me is a) preserve as much agency for myself as possible and b) get my body well. I have a cystic fibrosis. People accuse me of being mentally ill for thinking I can get well. I have been told that is not possible. It is possible. I have made ongoing forward progress for 13 years. Unfortunately, most people do not believe me and the social fallout from that is pretty crazy-making. Just because the answer is not easy or quick does not mean there is none. There are lots of ways to work on issues like homelessness and the mental health of other people. Each piece of the puzzle matters.

smsm42 13y ago

What would be a good way to help a person who is mentally ill, homeless and is not fitting any structure like a hospital? I.e. if the person agrees to undergo treatment program, stay in the facility, etc. it's fine but what to do if they are not?

Mz 13y ago
Homelessness is complicated, both the causes and the solutions. I am big on trying to light a single candle rather than curse the darkness. Here is my candle for homelessness: http://sandiegohomelesssurvivalguide.blogspot.com/ http://sandiegohomelesssurvivalguide.blogspot.com/ I also speak out here and on Metafilter. My diagnosis is not a mental health issue, it is medical, but it is clear to me that it impacts my mental functioning. My answer for me is a) preserve as much agency for myself as possible and b) get my body well. I have a cystic fibrosis. People accuse me of being mentally ill for thinking I can get well. I have been told that is not possible. It is possible. I have made ongoing forward progress for 13 years. Unfortunately, most people do not believe me and the social fallout from that is pretty crazy-making. Just because the answer is not easy or quick does not mean there is none. There are lots of ways to work on issues like homelessness and the mental health of other people. Each piece of the puzzle matters.