Today’s homeless, many of whom are disabled, are asked to take care of themselves.
I volunteer as a mental health advocate. My credentials and passion come from my having been homeless, going through the mental health court, numerous psychiatric facilities and evaluation units.
Before Alaska’s politicians can mitigate the homeless crisis, there must be some acceptance that the streets have become for the most part “psychiatric institutions without walls” where the mentally ill self-medicate.
From 1955 to 1994, there was a reduction in civil commitments to psychiatric hospitals of 92%. There was a catch. There was no place for many of the released disabled to go other than the streets. State legislators and city official have never made the transition from providing locked institutional care to providing community care.
Here is my laundry list of what the state should do: Improve the grievance rights and assistance in filing a grievance for the disabled. Adopt policies that reduce trauma in treatment. Provide shelter for individuals who fit the description of being disabled combined with medical care. Document the number and type of complaints filed by the disabled during treatment or transportation.
My laundry list should be the starting point for the Legislature and city officials when caring for the disabled and reducing homelessness.
— Faith Myers
Anchorage
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