Slipping through the cracks.

We live in a society

where the mental health Hospitals

and secure units are getting closed

down quicker than ten a penny.

And these members of society

that really need support and understanding

more so.

Get kicked to the kerb.

And some end up homeless and on

the street permanently until death

takes them.

As they actually don't have anyone

to turn to for help.

Or else if they are very fortunate

they do manage to get housing by

a local Housing Authority.

Which is all fine and dandy.

But once in the comfort of their

own home.

They start to crumble

unable to manage basic tasks

like cooking, cleaning up after themselves,

basic human hygiene and so forthwith.

The reason I write this

I know from first hand

a couple who fell into

this category of

Living in the local Community.

And the reality is its not really

working for them.

Alienating their neighbours

with disruptive behaviour

at all times of day and night.

I could go on.

But shall just say that is enough.

But where is the proper support for them?

None at all.

Once in a nice place.

They are basically left to it.

To stumble, fall. And ultimately fail.

Reviews

[Dave]

You are so right on. Society seems to forget and then neglect the elderly and needy in its' midst. "Thanks" to modern medicine and techniques people are living longer. Begging the question, "WHY" if they are not able to take care of themselves and the community is unwilling to give them the help they need, why would they want to live. How many children or family visit their loved ones in nursing homes, from what I've seen, very few. We have become such a "throw away society" that now we even throw away our aged.

Take care - Dave

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and in Illinois it is really bad...the budget is so messed up...and mental health centers are the first to go.

Hear you on this one, Dawn.
j.

[John the Baptist]

This story is a familiar one to me, because I worked in an urban mental health system for many years. De-institutionalization was launched because of horror stories about people living out their lives in mental hospitals. The problem was that some people do need the institutions because they can't function outside them. You can't make people take medicines they don't want, but without the meds they break down again. If the state can fund them, some mental hospitals should stay open.