I saw one of my homeless friends at church Sunday. He’s been trying to get off the street for a while, and trying to get help for mental illness. It’s hard to get housing when you have no income, and it’s hard to get help for mental illness when you’re homeless and have no insurance. I knew the odds were against him. But I didn’t expect what he told me next.
This past week, he attempted suicide. He ended up in the hospital, but after a few days, they discharged him. The shelters were full, so the sheriff’s deputy dropped him off “on the block” (the corner of Lee & Eugene, by the shelter), and he’s back on the street again.
I was stunned. Sad. Angry. Helpless. Silent. There’s so much more I could say, but you either care or you don’t, and if you care, you know what I’d say anyway.
So hey, welcome to Greensboro. This is how we do it.
I was gonna Comment here, but decided to make it a post instead. Sad, sad situation. And so needless…
Thanks, Michael. And yes, it’s sad and needless. And disgusting and wrong and so much more.
[Read Michael's post here.]
CM,
You know I’d spend more time reading your blog if you wrote about other things but please don’t start writing about other things– the world needs you to keep doing exactly what you’re doing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thanks for the support, Billy. Peace, CM
Cara,
I have many questions. First, has he applied for SSI? It sounds as if his mental illness is a disability and that he would qualify for help. He needs to be seen by a mental health caseworker to document the mental illness. I think Guilford County Mental Health offers free services. With that disability documented, and with SSI funding, he could have financial help with housing. It would take a little while for him to qualify, but he would receive a lump sum that would probally be big enough to cover a deposit and first months rent.
Does he need help getting these things accomplished? Please let me know.
Ginger: He has done what he could within the system to get help, including applying for help from the agencies you mentioned, and others. But all of these processes take such a long time. And while he waits, he’s on the street and struggling with illness and pain. I appreciate your offer to help and I’d like to talk to you more about it, so I’ll email you. Thanks, CM
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