HOMELESS PERSONS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

Rights, Care, Rehabilitation and Reunification Towards Dignified Independent Living

Abstract

Persons with mental illnesses suffer from a number of challenges like homelessness, unemployment, poverty, social stigma, lack of access to the mental and physical health service and lack of support from their family. The homeless persons with mental illnesses live in the most vulnerable state especially due to lack of awareness about the mental illnesses and the help available to overcome those challenges. Therefore all the stakeholders such as the social welfare department, women and children welfare department, police department, psychiatry department work together through their coordination to deal with the homeless mentally ill persons to improve their safety and wellness. 

In Tamil Nadu, the Emergency Care and Recovery Centre (ECRC) model provides an integrated framework for identifying, rescuing, treating, caring for, and rehabilitating homeless persons with mental health conditions. ECRC services include immediate medical and psychiatric care, basic needs, personal care, family tracing, family reunification, and referral to appropriate long-term care and rehabilitation services when family reintegration is not possible. 

This article highlights the rights and needs of homeless persons with mental health conditions and examines the role of ECRC centres, multidisciplinary teams, government departments, Mental Health Review Boards, and non-governmental organisations in providing comprehensive care. It also emphasises the importance of continuity of treatment, social support, livelihood and rehabilitation opportunities, and access to government welfare benefits.