How has the current system for mental health failed the homeless community?

Written by Madison Reed, USF student

In the 1950s, a stark revelation unfolded through news stories and movies, exposing the deplorable conditions within mental hospitals. These portrayals painted a grim picture of inhumanity, asserting that these facilities failed to provide the necessary care for their inhabitants. Overcrowded and lacking regulation, these institutions, predominantly situated in rural areas, operated without effective oversight from families desperate to monitor the well-being of their loved ones. The consequence was a growing consensus demanding reform—a plea for a more humane approach to supporting those struggling with mental illness.

In response to the outcry, a significant shift occurred in 1967 when Ronald Reagan signed a bill that stipulated individuals could no longer be hospitalized against their will and for indefinite periods. While this represented a pivotal moment for patient rights, it also marked the beginning of a decline for mental institutions. Stripped of the ability to retain patients against their will, these institutions faced a challenging future.

Compounding the issue, the government opted to redirect funds away from mental institutions, redirecting emphasis onto community resources. While ostensibly a positive move, the reality was less ideal. The community resources, intended to provide essential support, were often denied the necessary funding to be truly effective. Moreover, mental health resources found themselves at the mercy of fluctuating political priorities, with successive presidents diverting attention and funding from this critical sector.

The repercussions of these shifts extend to the homeless population. Recent estimates suggest that approximately fifty percent of homeless individuals have a history of mental illness. This systemic change disproportionately affects the homeless, depriving them of viable recovery options. Access to mental health treatment became a luxury reserved for the affluent, as Medicaid and Medicare were often not accepted by mental health providers. Consequently, countless individuals find themselves trapped in an unending cycle of homelessness and untreated mental illness, victims of a system that fails to serve those in dire need. It’s essential to recognize that homelessness is not a result of laziness or a lack of desire to work but a consequence of a system that inadequately caters to those it is meant to assist.