Real Talk: Homeless And The Mentally Ill

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Real Talk: If you want to lower crime, make the world safer and do good for the world, I know just what you can advocate for..... Story Time: I know a man who is just a couple years below thirty. He lives on the street and sometimes with other folks. Most of his adult life has been spent that way. There have been jobs here and there lost due to his circumstances. When he was young they said he was dyslexic. When he was older they said he was bi-polar. One wasn't helped properly and for the other, there isn't enough help. He also presents as younger than his age. He has a hard time keeping track of things and numbers are lost. He has gone to jail a couple of times.... marijuana, stealing a pair of shoes, and the latest was stealing meat because he was hungry. The last time he was released it was to a halfway house that provided a social worker, urine tests, and a bed - but not food. No food for a people they know are at risk, have no money, and no legal means to get any until after a while. It was years into his years on the street before he started the heavier, more dangerous drugs. Self medication to keep the demons at bay so he could sleep is his story. He has lost a lot of family ties due to his behaviors. Back to Real Talk: Back to the original point.... 1. Make sure people an get food. Make sure people can give food. No reason to steal meat if you can get food. 2. If you don't want repeat offenders that offended for reasons like this man, address the issues while you have them in custody. Set them up with programs that address the needed issues. Yes, I know it costs money, but so does dealing with their crimes. 3. Set up safe places for the homeless to sleep. I don't mean "shelters" (they aren't all that safe and the homeless often avoid them because of it) Allow them to have a place where they can set up a tent or start building the "tiny Houses" Get them off the street, get them addresses and phones so they can get jobs if they are able. 4. The mental help that is needed by so many, is unavailable, scarce, and expensive. My insurances allows just 20, 45 minute sessions a year. That is not enough for people like the man above. We need to make mental health a priority because it is a huge reason why a lot of people get to the streets and stay there for so long. What do you think about the mental health situation? How would you help the homeless if you could?