Solving The Problems of The Homeless and Other Strata of The Population

Pathways/Resources for human development (RHD) organization provides service to patients with severe and persistent mental disorders. Like every disease, mental illnesses are also shaped to a great extent by physical, social and economic environments: born, grow, live, work and age. Patients with severe mental illnesses generally live 25 years fewer than the general population. Thus, our clients have greater exposure and vulnerability to unfavorable circumstances. Some of RHD clients have disadvantages start before birth and accumulates throughout life. Poor nutrition, alcohol and drug misuse, lack of emotional and practical support have a negative impact on the fetal development: low birth weight, stunting, and malnutrition. For example, research has shown children with poor mothers have a higher risk of being underweight and stunted and more easily to develop depression in later life. Childhood’s exposure to neglect, direct physical and psychological abuse are quite damaging to brain development.

Education is a protective factor against mental disorders and is important in building emotional resilience and affecting a range of life outcomes, such as employment, income and community participation. Unfortunately, poverty, poor early family conditions and parenting qualities make it difficult to provide a home environment conducive to learning. Employment situation also has a significant impact on mental health. Unemployment, jobs with low reward and control at work and poor working conditions are strongly associated and can exacerbate mental disorders. Living conditions and community social supports are fundamental to mental health. Living in an unsafe place, exposure to violence, social isolation, loss contacts with family and friends and discrimination contribute to both development and exacerbation of mental disorders.

Policies can be used to improve education, employment situations, housing standards and decrease discrimination. For example, the current mental health reform legislation allows programs to mental health screening and early interventions for children and promotes community-based services and planning for homelessness people. The nationwide public mental health system has been evolving from mostly inpatient institutions to predominantly community-based service. The Louisianan state system is still biased toward expensive hospital care, therefore, results in low per-capita funding of community-based treatment service and poor access to services for patients from a low socioeconomic background. It is very common in LA that emergency rooms are served as primary care service for chronic mental illness patients throughout the state.

Pathways/RHD is supported by private donors, foundations, and local government agencies. Clients served at pathways are facing a lot of challenges in life. First, their mental and general health need to be managed properly. This includes housing, health care, food, and supplies as well as transportation. Second, emotional support needs to be offered, such as life coping skill development, decision-making skills, crisis support, and further prevention. Health workers at pathways are trying to help reduce disparities in treating the mental disorder with both prevention and intervention strategies. The staff here provide different services based on different patient groups, such as chronic behavioral disorder, addiction recovery, homelessness, etc. My project focuses on a variety of life skills training and individual and group counseling assist patients with persistent mental disorders. Each client is assigned a case manager who coordinates services and provides referrals. We help clients set up appointments with health providers when they need and make sure that they have enough supply of medications.

This service can help to achieve early identification of medical problems and prevent future episodes. Supporting groups are set up to address the changing needs of patients. Small sessions are offered with decision-making, goal-setting, and problem-solving skills to help patients deal with the future crisis. We also have a crisis line for clients in need of immediate assistance. Meal planning and smart shopping are also offered for our clients. RHD case management services help patients to find a safe place to live, either group living or independent living and prepare our patients to move from dependent to independent living. We also help patients set up personal goals and use program activities to build skills and reinforce strengths.

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