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Hope for the Disabled

Many homeless are challenged with physical disabilities that leave them unemployable.  And more than 30 percent of the homeless suffer from one or more mental or emotional disorders.  One of the most debilitating mental illnesses, when left untreated, is bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is a “serious mental illness characterized by recurrent episodes of depression, mania, and/or mixed symptom states.  Episodes cause extreme shifts in mood, energy, and behavior that interfere significantly with normal, healthy functioning.”

People with bipolar disorder may “ping-pong” from suicidal thoughts, deep sadness and irritability to increased energy, a decreased need for sleep, disruptive, agitated and disjointed communication and a willingness to take physically dangerous risks.

Children with bipolar disorder may be very disruptive, run away from home or begin using narcotics early on.  School and social life suffer as their behavior alienates them from friends.

While deinstitutionalization worked wonders for some in the ‘70s and ‘80s, thousands of other mentally ill were driven to the streets.  Today, many end up in jail for disruptive or dangerous conduct.  Some survive on the streets, while others find their ways to shelters like City Rescue Mission.

Many people with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and depression may never have been diagnosed, yet the effect on their lives can be devastating.  At City Rescue Mission, we watch for symptoms of these and other health issues then implement a plan of action that, if followed, will result in a much brighter future!

Meeting a disabled person’s need for shelter and food comes first.  Medical treatment, new skills that replace old destructive patterns and Christ-centered counseling all work together to help the disabled rebuild their lives with dignity.