Approximately 1/3 of homeless people in the United States of America are suffering from a severe mental disease that is untreated, and the number continues to increase. Many of them most commonly suffer from schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or major depression, proving that they are not able to think straight or capable of taking care of themselves. As an anonymous source suffering from bipolar disorder said, “I don’t take the meds to fix me, because there’s nothing wrong with me. I take them because everyone else is crazy and I need to fit in.” Homeless individuals with mental disabilities are far more likely to be assaulted on the streets, and are three times more likely to find their meals from garbage cans, rather than going to a mission, church, or food bank. They are therefore more likely to develop other health issues because of their ill-advised decisions. These individuals are not in the right mind to be taking care of themselves, let alone taking care of themselves without a place to live. From a study done in Massachusetts and Ohio, 27% – 36% of patients who are released from mental institutions and psychiatric hospitals end up homeless within their first six months of freedom. Many mental hospitals release patients earlier than they should because they believe it saves them money. However, studies show that around 5,000 homeless people who were released with mental illness cost tax payers in New York City around $40,500 for one year, due to the use of emergency rooms, shelters, and prisons. Shockingly, states still continue to close psychiatric facilities, so there are less and less every year. Not only are these people a danger to their own lives, but also to the lives of others. Actions need to be taken to prevent the early release of mental hospital patients, so they receive the proper treatment that they need. It is sad to see this issue worsening each year. As the Los Angeles Times stated, “Anyone walking the streets is familiar with the problem of lost souls too disoriented to take care of themselves”.
The unemployment rate for the mentally disabled is extremely high, even though most individuals with a mental illness are in fact willing and able to work. Around 60% of people with mental illnesses are capable of working. Unfortunately, fewer than 2% receive the help needed through supported employment programs to make working conditions fair for them. In 2006, a survey was done that showed 62% of Americans refused to work with a coworker that has schizophrenia. It is estimated that the unemployment rate for people who live with a mental disability is three to five times higher than people without one. Only 20% of mentally healthy adults are unemployed, while the mentally ill population has an unemployment rate of approximately 80% in America. Surveys show that an employer would sooner hire a worker with a physical disability, than one with a mental disability. As President George Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, he said, “Three weeks ago we celebrated our nation’s Independence Day, Today we’re here to rejoice in and celebrate another ‘independence day’, one that is long overdue. With today’s signing of the landmark Americans for Disabilities Act, every man, woman, and child with a disability can now pass through once closed doors into a bright new era of equality, independence, and freedom.” Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which states that employers have to “make reasonable workplace accommodations for people with physical and mental disabilities”, it has been proven that half of companies in the United States are reluctant to hire someone with a psychiatric history, and 70% are reluctant if the person is currently still on medications to help with their mental illness. One out of every three people who apply for a job with a mental illness report being immediately rejected once the employer learns of their health history. Not only are they less likely to get hired, but the ones who do get jobs have a very slim chance of advancements in the workplace or being put in positions of authority. The jobs they usually receive have high turnover rates and little or no benefits, which a lot of them need. As a result of this discrimination, the majority of people with mental disabilities that receive a job offer choose to receive no treatment for their disability, so no mental disabilities will show up on their records. They often decide that they are better off not taking any medication or treatment options, so they are not discriminated against in the workplace. Ultimately, this results in their mental states deteriorating more rapidly, causing them to quit sooner rather than later. Many people fear if this employment discrimination continues, that the mentally disabled (as well as everyone else) will eventually view them as unemployable.