Question

Considering how challenging it can be to access and assist the homeless mentally ill population. Do you have any suggestions on how to better serve this community as a public health nurse? If so is there anything else you would do?

Research supports the use of "housing first" approach to assist the homeless mentally ill. This requires physical locations in the community. In light of public perceptions towards both homelessness and mental illness, how can the public health nurse help convince members of a community to permit housing for the homeless or nurse-managed clinics like the St. Paul's Center in their neighborhood?

Answer 1

Public health Nurse - Challenges

Homeless mentally population are vulnerable population requiring specialized care. But often they are neglected. Much mentally ill population became homeless because of deinstitutionalization. They require medical services but they are homeless, neglected and have no one to support.

The major challenge of the public health nurse is to access and take care of this population. Setting up a community based care center will be effective. But it would bring opposition from neighbours in the community.

The Public health nurse can face this challenge by working together with the community. She can act as a Liaison between the community and the stakeholders.

• The first challenge is to face and change the perception of the mentally ill and the homeless. Often they regard it as a threat to them and their children, So they may protest against the arrival of new mental health facility within the community. They may do so because of reservations, inadequate knowledge etc. The nurse can speak with key people within the community and educate people to bring awareness on mental health. It is essential to work with community together to gain their confidence and succeed. The nurse can also use the examples of successful community based mental health centers and show videos of how people helped.
• The nurse should also find financial resources and funding since community centers are not like hospitals and insurance may not apply. It is essential to get help from volunteering agencies like NGOs, churches etc. Also collaborating with them will help patients in the community center and the public.
• Once she has established these she can go ahead with her team and stakeholders with the development of new community mental health center.