MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'homeless'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:01:52 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5181898&cid=t_113354_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F31%2Fis-california-eliminating-mental-illness-treatment%2F According to DJ Jaffe, co-founder of the Treatment Advocacy Center which advocates for mandated outpatient treatment laws, California is “eliminating mental illness treatment.” This, of course, will be a surprise to the tens of thousands of mental health providers in California. Millions of Californians currently receive treatment for their mental disorders, both in the private and public sector. In fact, Californians wanted to make up for past deficiencies in funding their mental health services, so they passed a law in 2004 that set aside new money specifically to help fund treatment. Jaffe claims the money isn’t going to the programs it was intended to fund. Should we take his word for it? The easiest way to see whether Jaffe’s claims hold up are to look at the... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5181898 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:13:20 +0100 5181898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086259&cid=t_113354_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F07%2F31%2Ffullerton-police-beat-to-death-mentally-ill-homeless-man%2F A police officer only needs to use “reasonable force” to make an arrest. How many Fullerton, Calif. police officers does it take to arrest one man? Well, it took five patrol cars, 6 officers, tasering 37-year-old Kelly Thomas numerous times, and beating him so badly that he went into a coma. And then died a few days later. What was Thomas’s alleged crime that resulted in his death? Breaking into cars, looking for things to steal. Welcome to our more violent America, where citizens stand by while the police beating took place, too afraid to intervene and save Thomas’s life. Is this what we’ve come to? Kelly Thomas was a long-time member of the Fullerton homeless community, and apparently had schizophrenia. While sometimes scary looking (as not bathing and not ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086259 Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:35:53 +0100 5086259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960267&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F06%2F22%2Fupdates-from-the-state-house-june-22-2011%2F From health care funding to anti-discrimination laws, public policy plays a key role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. That’s why AIDS Action maintains a strong advocacy presence at the local, state, and federal levels. Our public policy work is especially important on Beacon Hill, where decisions are routinely made that impact the lives of people at risk for and already living with HIV/AIDS here in Massachusetts. We wanted to give you a brief update on some important legislative efforts currently underway: The 2012 State Budget The state legislature is in the final days of coming up with a budget proposal to send to Governor Patrick for fiscal year 2012, which begins on July 1st. Over the last few months, the House and Senate passed their own versions of the budget, and now a small c... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960267 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:35:47 +0100 4960267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872257&cid=t_113354_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FyMfsA_JSQ1s%2F Caleb Interview with Caleb Poirier about his experiences of depression, becoming homeless, and eventually founding Camp Take Notice, a tent city for people without homes in Ann Arbor, MI. Read more at InvisiblePeople.tv, and watch another interview with Poirier with more details about the camp, its peer support, principles, and progressive solutions. Very articulate and perceptive views that challenge stereotypes and conventions. The camp is a registered non-profit and accepts online donations. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872257 Fri, 27 May 2011 12:30:02 +0100 4872257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4522146&cid=t_113354_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F02%2F25%2F6-steps-to-living-a-good-happy-and-long-life%2F Compassion. Gratitude. Conscientiousness. Being humble. A little stress to keep you energized and motivated. Using common sense. Hanging out with the people that are doing healthy things. Having a stable relationship. You might think the secret to a long and happy life was hidden in a book or could be found by following that famous media guru, Oprah. The truth is, a long life and happiness are not obtained by doing extraordinary things or looking for that magical “dream job” (or dream spouse, for that matter). Research has shown — most recently by psychologists Friedman and Martin in The Longevity Project (2010) — that getting to a long life is really just a combination of simple, everyday things and an approach to life that some might say emphasizes a sense of resi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4522146 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:46:57 +0100 4522146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266140&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F12%2F17%2Frecent-news-coverage-highlights-aids-action-ongoing-fight-against-hivaids%2F AIDS Action Committee is always proud to help spread the message that the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over — to people at risk and to the public at-large. With a number of exciting prevention and medical breakthrough stories taking place in recent weeks and with World AIDS Day on December 1st, local news media were paying more attention to HIV/AIDS than usual. Here’s a sampling of stories that ran featuring members of the AIDS Action Committee staff and board of directors. Youth On Fire, our drop-in center for homeless and street-involved youth in Harvard Square, is mentioned in a front page story in the Boston Globe about Homeless Youth: Young, alone, and homeless: As numbers rise in state and nation, Boston group seeks to create shelter Youth On Fire’s Mandy Luss... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266140 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:55:52 +0100 4266140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183466&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F11%2F19%2F%25e2%2580%259cour-lives-begin-to-end-the-day-we-become-silent-about-things-that-matter%25e2%2580%259d%2F The following is a guest post from Elizabeth Marie Rivera-Valentine, a staff member at TransCEND, AIDS Action’s HIV prevention and health education program by and for transgender women. The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) first started after the murder of Rita Hester in 1998 here in Boston. Her death kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project. Since then several more trans community members have been brutally murdered at the hands of ignorance and hate which has resulted in the mobilization of other cities nationally to organize TDORs for their local communities. We are now approaching the 12th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, taking place this Saturday, November 20th. TDOR is not only for remembering those in our community who have been lost to violen... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183466 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:55:27 +0100 4183466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168147&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F11%2F11%2Fsometimes-all-it-takes-is-meeting-one-or-two-people-who-really-care%2F Homelessness greatly increases people’s risk of contracting HIV, especially among youth, who now account for HALF of all new HIV infections each year. To meet the needs of young people most at risk, AIDS Action operates the Youth on Fire Drop-in Center for homeless and street involved youth. Since 2000, Youth on Fire has worked with over 2,500 youth through its Harvard Square location. Youth on Fire engages its members first and foremost by providing life’s necessities — hot meals, showers, laundry. As members grow comfortable, they may also access on-site medical treatment (including HIV and STD screening), mental health counseling, housing search support, and more. During November, which is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, AIDS Action is recognizing Yout... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168147 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:43:15 +0100 4168147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3999215&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F09%2F24%2Fbeyond-the-headlines-whats-going-on-with-hiv-and-gay-and-bisexual-men%2F The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released a new report on HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Based on data from the 2008 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system, the report shows that 19% of the 8,153 men surveyed are HIV-positive; 44% of these men were unaware of their HIV status when they participated in the study, which included filling out a questionnaire with a trained surveyor and receiving an HIV test. Surveys were conducted in the twenty-one metropolitan areas with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence nationwide, including Boston.  Before diving into the data, it’s important to note that early media coverage of this report has overstated the reach of its findings. Early stories ran with headlines such as, “One-in-Five Gay Men HIV-Positive”. In fact,... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3999215 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:42:05 +0100 3999215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585572&cid=t_113354_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fhunter-philanthropists-brought-to-you-by-sportsmans-channel%2F Photo: Thinkstock Hunter-Philanthropist may seem like an unlikely breed of modern man, but the Sportsman’s Channel (yes, that is a channel) is encouraging just that. The channel has a new non-profit initiative to feed the hungry called Hunt.Fish.Feed., and the basic idea is that hunters bring their kill (and fishers bring their catch) to impoverished people in Los Angeles, including those in shelters. The thought of a burly hunter slamming a dead deer carcass onto a soup kitchen table make us snicker, but it’s hard to criticize a program whose goal is to feed the hungry. We do wonder if the organization could have used the money spent on bullets, transportation, permits, and butchering to get a lot of fruits and vegetables for L.A.’s hungry, though. As Care2 also points o... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585572 Thu, 20 May 2010 21:35:43 +0100 3585572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3316124&cid=t_113354_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F27%2Fbon-jovi-rocks-for-the-homeless%2F My wife is a big fan of Bon Jovi, so when I read this article about Bon Jovi’s fact-finding efforts to help better understand homelessness in order to help it through his foundation, I couldn’t help but blog about it. If you didn’t know, a significant portion of homeless persons have a mental disorder, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. It’s hard to know for certain, but research suggests that approximately 2 out of 5 homeless people have a mental health issue. Bon Jovi wants his foundation to do more to help the homeless: That’s because this tour in support of Bon Jovi’s latest release, “The Circle,” is also a fact-finding mission. The singer plans on visiting as many homeless shelters and programs as time allow... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3316124 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:00:01 +0100 3316124 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3061408&cid=t_113354_93_f&fid=35707&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHemodynamics%2F%7E3%2FcSrV98NKETU%2Fbuy-for-borum.html Paul Levy, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's CEO, is using his blog to publicize online auctions to support community health centers affiliated with the BIDMC. Right now there's an auction to support the Sidney Borum, Jr, Health Center. The Borum is dear to my heart, so let me take this moment to ask you to consider buying something... much of which remains at a considerable discount. (For instance, tickets to the Messiah at a fraction of their face value, which is how everyone likes their messiahs.) (Source: hemodynamics) hemodynamics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3061408 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:38:00 +0100 3061408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943889&cid=t_113354_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2009%2F10%2F30%2Fthe-year-i-was-homeless%2F From talented journalist and editor to homeless, to depression, to suicidal…and back again. Impressive story. Hope always, always finds a way. Becky Blanton planned to live in her van for a year and see the country, but when depression set in and her freelance job ended, her camping trip turned into homelessness. In this intimate talk, she describes her experience of becoming one of America’s working homeless. Related posts:The Solist, about a Homeless Man with Schizophrenia The Soloist, a movie a bout a homeless man...Hands on Experience with Deep Brain Stimulation for Depression Recently I found a hands on experience blog for...Old Year/New Year Dutch Grand Round 10.1 is up Laika made the latest Dutch Grand Round of this... Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Relat... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943889 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:11:56 +0100 2943889 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943866&cid=t_113354_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F29%2Fthe-homeless-highway-gentleman%2F The homeless highway gentleman walks as if he’s on a mission. He walks alongside a busy stretch of highway in southern New Hampshire every day, roughly at the same time, wearing the exact same clothes. You can tell he’s a gentleman because he wears a faded, outdated tan sports jacket. It’s seen better days, but so has the gentleman. He’s older, balding, and very much on his own. And yet, when you see him, you notice he has a sense of civilized purpose and dignity about him. It’s how and where he walks that gets people’s attention. He doesn’t walk on the grassy berm next to the four-lane highway, he walks right in the gutter on the road, often in the right-hand most lane. If you were a distracted driver and were fiddling with your cell phone or radi... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943866 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:03:23 +0100 2943866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2809855&cid=t_113354_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspieweb.net%2Fgoing-to-be-homeless%2F As of next week I will be homeless for a few weeks.  This week I began the preparations.I have started moving all of my property into an 5 foot x 10 foot storage room.  Its very degrading to see all of your property in one little room, and then having to pick between things because [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2809855 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:17:54 +0100 2809855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804150&cid=t_113354_133_f&fid=37107&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aspieweb.net%2Faspergers-homeless%2F So I’m in the final week of my apartment – and where I’m going after this week I don’t know yet.My apartment complex has decided not to renew my lease due the allegations that Kate and her mother made, so I have to find a new apartment.  I have to say I’m not sorry to [...] (Source: AspieWeb.net) AspieWeb.net blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804150 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:13:32 +0100 2804150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2674386&cid=t_113354_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FrrW0a7nLqDM%2Flosing-the-war-on-drugs.html Gabor Mate Dr. Mate talks about why and how the legal and medical systems have been ineffective in the war on drugs. ”We ‘re punishing people for having been abused in the first place.” Describing observations made as a clinician at Vancouver’s InSite safe injection site and rehab facility, he reads from his forthcoming book In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. See also: TV documentary about InSite. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2674386 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:30:28 +0100 2674386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349469&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F04%2F17%2Fa-day-in-the-life-at-aids-action-committee%2F The money raised each year by AIDS Walk Boston supports a diverse and far-reaching range of programs and services. Here’s a snapshot of a typical day at AIDS Action Committee, to show the many ways AAC provides care for over 2,500 clients and reaches out to thousands of others in the community. 9:15 a.m. A client’s neighbors have become violent and threatening because of his perceived sexual orientation, and extreme anxiety is affecting his health. His client advocate and the Rental Start-Up Program Coordinator begin the process of finding him a new apartment and providing first and last months’ rental costs, to ensure his safety. 10:00 a.m. Through the Maria Talks website, the Massachusetts Sexual Health Helpline team gets an email from a teen seeking advice on how to deal with peer... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349469 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:00:26 +0100 2349469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2255990&cid=t_113354_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2nX4f9l5GWI%2F The National Center on Family Homelessness has generated headlines today by releasing a report that claims “one in 50 children is homeless in the United States every year.” That would be a total of 1.5 million homeless children, a truly shocking figure. The number is all the more shocking because the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says there actually only 671,000 people were homeless in 2007 (the last year for which data is available), of which only about 249,000 were people in families. Assuming even one adult per family would mean there were around 166,000 homeless children, far too many, but also far fewer than 1.5 million. What accounts for the discrepancy? First, the National Center uses an incredibly broad definition of homeless. For example, in addition to thos... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2255990 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:39:10 +0100 2255990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121674&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F01%2F20%2Fjoin-united-we-stand-for-health-at-the-statehouse-this-thursday-january-22nd-at-1pm%2F Due to the difficult financial times we face, the Department of Public Health has suffered tremendous cuts to its budget and is expecting more in the next few weeks.  Public Health programs prevent illness and disease and serve our most vulnerable residents, including people with HIV/AIDS, children, elders and those who are low-income.   A coalition of Public Health programs called United We Stand for Public Health is holding a press conference this Thursday, Jan 22nd, at 1pm, at the State House to urge the Commonwealth to protect public health.  Please join us as we stand up for Public Health and protect these programs from further cuts!  For more information about how to participate, please contact Deb Fournier at dfournier@aac.org    .     (Source: AIDS Action Committee's ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121674 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:53:32 +0100 2121674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1939074&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F11%2F06%2Fny-times-explores-living-with-hivaids-in-a-thought-provoking-multi-media-story%2F             In the current online editon of The New York Times, their “Patient Voices” series continues with a look at eight men and women who share their experiences living with AIDS.  Thought-provoking and unflinchingly honest, the piece opens with the story of Robin Grinstead from Swansea S.C. who shares her small town stories, including the fact that she has not attended her church since her diagnosis was revealed by gossiping friend in March.  Other profiles include seven other powerful profiles of what it is like to live with AIDS today.  (You will need  sound capabilities on your computer for this feature) (Source: AIDS Action Committee's Blog) AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939074 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:00:55 +0100 1939074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1582048&cid=t_113354_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F327749375%2F We hear plenty about other people helping out autistic kids—-here’s a story about some autistic children making blankets for children staying at a Rescue Mission in Youngstown, Ohio. So much we—all and any of us—can all do. Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, blankets, disabilities blog, disability, Family, family blog, homeless, Parenting, pdd-nos, volunteerShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1582048 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:56:07 +0100 1582048 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1353966&cid=t_113354_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F04%2F07%2Fself-empowerment-through-running%2F If you live in any decent-sized city in the U.S., chances are you drive or walk by a person who’s homeless every day. People who are homeless exist in most industrialized societies, and it’s an issue that has no easy solutions. Anne Mahlum jogged by homeless people every day, like thousands of others do. But one day, she decided to take action. “Why am I running past these guys?” recalls Mahlum, 27, on CNN.com. “I’m moving my life forward every day — and these guys are standing in the same spot.” Instead of continuing to pass them by, the veteran marathoner sprang into action so they could join her. She contacted the shelter, got donations of running gear, and in July 2007 the “Back On My Feet” running club hit the streets. ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1353966 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:01:10 +0100 1353966 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1287898&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fhousing-for-homeless-and-treatment-too.html In Australia an effort is underway to house many of the chronically homeless. Experts involved are working to stem the underlying causes of homelessness by providing not just housing, but treatment too."It's futile to try to treat a mental health problem if the patient doesn't have a decent place to live," he [Dr. Nicholson] said."Similarly, it's very hard for that patient to sustain a tenancy if they have a florid mental health problem or alcohol and drug problem, so the answer has to be a much more integrated response from our service provision."The Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illnesses. TAC promotes laws, policies, and practices for the deliver... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1287898 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 22:16:00 +0100 1287898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1248965&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fsafety-must-supersede-freedom.html Three homeless men died on Long Island in the severe weather. Alexander Roberts, a homelessness advocate, writes in Newsday today that those deaths, “would have been avoided last week if police were allowed to force people living on the street into a temporary shelter in the freezing weather.”He recounts the sad 20 year old story of Billie Boggs, a woman “protected” by civil libertarians from involuntary treatment, who was able to gain her freedom to live with psychosis and without a home.Robert suggest that the answer should be involuntary shelter for people who are “imminently dangerous” to themselves and will not take care to get themselves out of the freezing cold. An even more helpful solution is for the mental health system to start caring for those who are homeless due t... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1248965 Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:37:00 +0100 1248965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1231946&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Freal-reform-overdue-at-your-public.html Urban public libraries across America are experiencing the inevitable consequences of a mental health system that is broken. There are more than 200,000 people in our nation today who are homeless and have a severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. On cold days, many of these people will seek shelter at the local public library.At Ekstrom library on the University of Louisville campus, students compete with the homeless to get on computers. As one student observes, “If the homeless are using property reserved for paying U of L students, then something needs to be done about it.” However, according to library staff, unless the homeless person is causing a disturbance, they are usually left alone. Chip Ward described the disturbing conditions at the Salt Lake City... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1231946 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:44:00 +0100 1231946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1197948&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Flooking-back.html I would have never thought four years ago I would be where I am now.  I remember those cold homeless mornings so vividly.  I would crawl out of my tent to a frost covered world as I got a fire started.  Freezing cold, I would stamp my feet on the ground to warm them.  I would immediately crack open a beer as I ate my usual gruel breakfast of grits or instant oatmeal.  Lunch time would find me drunk as a warming sun would rise high in the sky.  I remember that warmth vividly.  A nap would follow in my tent and more drinking would earnestly start in the afternoon.  Nightfall would find me three sheets to the wind.  I discovered homeless blogs then.  I would sneak over to my deceased grandmother's house every night to use the computer.  ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1197948 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:09:00 +0100 1197948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1181600&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fgot-till-it-gone.html There was a homeless man at tonight's AA meeting.  He was scared, had been drinking, and didn't know what to do.  He used his time to speak tonight to ask for help.  Several people came to his aid after the meeting.  I spared him my information about Clara and the Rescue Mission.  AA people do take care of their own. It made me think tonight how lucky I have it, even though I might bitch and moan about not having a job and financial independence. I have Maggie and Rosa and they are both healthy. I have my own health these past few weeks.  I have a home. I have plenty of food my mother buys for me. I have warmth. I have a very reliable car that should last me for many years. I have plenty of furniture including a soft bed. I have a reliable computer and steady ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1181600 Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:33:00 +0100 1181600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1179614&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fmission-of-mercy.html Ferret asked me this morning to drive him down to Perlis truck stop for a shower.  I think the shower cost $7 dollars he said.  It was a long drive down the interstate without my radio as it says I need to enter a code to get it to work (some anti-theft bullshit).  They unhooked the battery when they changed the locks on my car.  I suspect I will have to take it to the dealership and fork out moolah to get it fixed. Ferret looked like a new man after a shower and shave.  I dropped him off at the laundromat in town so he could launder the clothes in a big black plastic trash bag he was totting around.  "I am still going to get a home," he told me fiercely as he got out of my car. "Keep talking like that and you will," I replied as I bid him goodbye. I drove off... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1179614 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:43:00 +0100 1179614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1146121&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Flaughable-at-best.html Listening to Coast to Coast AM this morning out of Portland, Oregon as I drink my coffee and smoke cigars.  George Noory has on someone who claims to build time machines and sells them.  I couldn't help but smile at the amount of bullshit being bantered about. I can imagine George trying hard to keep a straight face as this guy talks and George has heard it all.  I know he wants to burst out laughing.  I went for another long walk this morning.  I just haven't been able to sleep at night lately -- mainly the early mornings.  This afternoon will find me curled up in the bed with Maggie sleeping no doubt.  I did stop by my favorite convenience store this morning for some hot chocolate, and heard some disheartening news about Ferret. "I had to quit serving y... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146121 Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:36:00 +0100 1146121 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1139680&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fstorms-pass-life-goes-on.html The storms last night came in with a whimper by the time they reached Eastern Alabama.  We didn't even get much rain.  I was relieved for Ferret's sake.  I walked down to the shopping center this morning to check on him.  He was no worse for wear. "My mother is buying me a tent," Ferret told me after I had sat awhile. "I talked to her today." "Why don't you move in with your mother?" I asked. "I'm not moving in with that alcoholic bitch," he replied. Alcoholism tens to run in families and Ferret's is one of the best examples.  According to Ferret, his grandmother was a severe alcoholic and so is his mother.  I've met Ferret's mother once and she was drunk out of her gourd.   I don't blame Ferret for not wanting to live with her as he has done in the ... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1139680 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:46:00 +0100 1139680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1128799&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Faccepting-reality-of-mental-illness.html Blogger and writer for National Review, Jennifer Roback Morse comments on Michael Judge’s moving piece about Sonny Iovino in the Wall Street Journal: “In my view, the problem is that the modern world is so deeply committed to rationality and autonomy that we can not accept the reality of individuals who are not capable of rational thought or of using their autonomy.”The Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illnesses. TAC promotes laws, policies, and practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supports the development of innovative treatments for and research into the causes of severe and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia ... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1128799 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:44:00 +0100 1128799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1113445&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fwall-street-journal-free-to-die-in-iowa.html In today's Wall Street Journal, Michael Judge has a powerful piece about the Sonny Iovino case in Iowa:After Iovino's death, a spokesman for the VA Medical Center told the Cedar Rapids Gazette, "If somebody doesn't want to be treated, you can't treat them." This is simply not the case. Given his debilitated state, the VA psychiatrist on duty could have forced Iovino to receive the treatment that might have saved his life ...In fact, Iowa's commitment standard is better than many states', which demand that a person be an "imminent" danger to himself or others. In Iowa, however, to be eligible for AOT a person must lack sufficient judgment to make responsible decisions concerning treatment; and be either (1) a danger to self/others or (2) unable to satisfy the need for "nourishment, clothing... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1113445 Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:45:00 +0100 1113445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1090546&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fremember-million-dollar-murray.html So does Washoe County, Nevada. After cycling in and out of the county jail for 10 years, Murray, a homeless man with a mental illness, cost the county an estimated $1 million. He’s also the inspiration for a study completed by the University of Nevada that outlines the cost of homelessness in Washoe County.According to the Reno Gazette Journal in its report on the study:The Washoe County Jail is one of the largest providers of mental health services to the homeless, who are further burdening an already-crowded facility. But the jail and court system are the only places for many homeless to receive mental health treatment.It costs just under $84 a day to house an inmate at the Washoe County Jail. Homeless inmates comprise about 7 percent of the population. In 2004, there were 443 homeles... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1090546 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:19:00 +0100 1090546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1087673&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fhomeless-shelters-are-new-mental-health.html Roughly 150,000 to 200,000 individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are homeless. In the absence of psychiatric hospitals, homeless shelters are yet another example - along with jails and prisons- of today’s “mental hospitals”. Out on the streets, people with mental illness and addiction problems are guaranteed neither a home, food, health nor safety.As [Dennis] Marble [executive director of the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter] and many others see it, the morphing of the homeless shelter into what Marble calls an "underfunded mental health facility" is one of the unintended consequences of the "downsizing" of the state’s mental health institutions, including Bangor Mental Health Institute, now known as the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center.A major complaint of the critics of d... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1087673 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:00:00 +0100 1087673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1070955&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F12%2Fadolescence.html I've known a lot of homeless people.  Ferret and Clara come to mind as the most pertinent examples.  There seems to be common themes.  Substance abuse and/or mental illness are the most glaring causes of homelessness.  I was homeless mainly because I was an alcoholic who couldn't get sober no matter how hard I tried.  I lived to drink and lived for the next drink.  I couldn't afford rent with my drinking problem when confronted with my paltry income.  I made a conscious choice to be drunk and homeless, than sober with a home. Another thing I have noticed with homelessness, is the petulant and childlike qualities a homeless person will exhibit.  It is as if they never grew up.  I've been reading The Homeless Guy for years and it never ceases to a... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070955 Wed, 05 Dec 2007 12:47:00 +0100 1070955 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1062798&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2007%2F11%2F30%2Fmore-evidence-that-%25e2%2580%259chousing-is-health-care%25e2%2580%259d%2F At AIDS Action, I let people know about HIV treatment advances and new approaches to prevent the spread of the virus. As exciting as these developments can be, it’s also essential to recognize the critical importance of support services for persons living with HIV. There is extensive evidence that a person’s housing status – whether stably housed or homeless – has a huge impact on their health. The latest addition to this growing body of research is a special supplement to this month’s AIDS and Behavior journal. The supplement contains 18 peer-reviewed articles focusing on the relationship between housing status and a range of HIV-related health outcomes. Several of these studies found that having stable housing reduces the likelihood that persons will engage in behaviors – suc... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1062798 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:28:23 +0100 1062798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1054912&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fresidentially-challenged.html When you have a home but refuse to live in it, can you really be called "homeless"?William Royce had a home, and a loving family. But he died in the elements after mental illness robbed him of his ability to make informed choices. A local police department spokesperson called Royce "residentially challenged,' which many, including one letter-writer, called "a new low in political correctness."But might that actually be the most accurate way to describe someone like William Royce?In a response via a letter to the editor in the Tallahassee Democrat, William Royce’s father Charles makes this unique argument.I thought "residentially challenged" was a very correct way to describe the situation, and our family appreciated its use in the newspaper. This was a young man who wasn't homeless, but ... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1054912 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:44:00 +0100 1054912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1054913&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fiowas-cold-hearted-system-leads-to.html Photo from Gazette.com: "Personal items and trash are strewn about the homeless camp under Iowa City's Benton Street bridge Thursday. Transient Sonny Anthony Iovino, 55, was found dead from hypothermia under the bridge Wednesday."The cause of death for Sonny Iovino is officially listed as “hypothermia.”But it is clear he was a victim of something equally as chilling – a system that bounced him around, seemingly unable (or perhaps unwilling) to help him.Iovino was a familiar face to Iowa City police, and was repeatedly picked up in the past 5 years on charges like disorderly conduct, public intoxication and simple assault. In fact, “In the first seven days of November, he'd had five encounters with police.”So fittingly, it seems from news stories that it was the police who tried t... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1054913 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:37:00 +0100 1054913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1047542&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35433&url=http%3A%2F%2F4thavenueblues.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fscreams-of-mental-illness.html I was on the phone with Joyce. I had just finished a volley of emails when the phone rang. I extinguished my cigar and picked up the phone. "Hey, neighbor," was the excited greeting. "Hey there, neighbor," I replied. Joyce wanted to know all about Maggie and told me what they had been concentrating on in therapy. "Joyce, what are your main symptoms?" I asked her in a moment of seriousness after our conversation had settled down. "I think everybody is watching me. Even the walls," she replied. "If I scream, they go away. They quit watching me." "Well, the screaming scares people," I told her. "I know it scares me. I think something is terribly wrong with you." "I know everybody just thinks I am crazy as shit," she replied. "I woke up last night screaming and they gave me an injection of a s... The 4th Avenue Blues blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1047542 Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:11:00 +0100 1047542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024355&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fnew-idea-mental-health-courts-without.html In San Francisco behavioral health courts have been successful in compelling treatment for people with mental illnesses who would otherwise have been in jail or prison. The court allows that when someone with a severe mental illness commits a crime, they are diverted to behavioral health court and ordered to maintain treatment. Failure to maintain treatment sends the person back to criminal court and likely to jail or prison. The model of connecting the services to the court does work," said Kathleen Connolly Lacey, program director of Citywide. "There has to be a benefit to people to participate. They work harder than they would if they got straight probation."Here’s the problem. Right now, in San Francisco, court-ordered treatment is only offered AFTER someone commits a crime. Jennifer... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024355 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:19:00 +0100 1024355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1015026&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fgavin-newsom-homeless-need-your.html Can Gavin Newsom make San Francisco a leader in compassion for the homeless?"Newsom," says political strategist Mark Mosher, "has a real opportunity to throw his traditional caution to the wind. Same sex marriage was totally courageous nationally, and somewhat so in the state, but in San Francisco it was a popular and sensible idea. So what are the most difficult issues now?"Here's a suggestion. The streets of San Francisco.That suggestion would be a good one for the leader of virtually any American City. At any given time, there are many more people with untreated severe psychiatric illnesses living on America’s streets than are receiving care in hospitals. The uproar is growing. The San Francisco Chronicle’s C.W. Nevius sees an opportunity for Mayor Newsom to make San Francisco an ex... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1015026 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:22:00 +0100 1015026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1012434&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fbracing-for-cold-and-tragedy.html Every winter, we read sad news stories about homeless people with severe mental illnesses who fall victim to the elements. While the weather gets blamed for the deaths, the truth is more disturbing: About 1/3 of the nation’s homeless are people with severe mental illnesses.Many of these individuals are homeless BECAUSE of their illnesses.Most are not being treated for their illness and often the lack of treatment is because they have impaired awareness of their illness.The headlines overlook the daily victimization and brutal realities on the streets for people with severe mental illnesses.Next time you read one of these sad stories, consider the fact that Assisted Outpatient Treatment can prevent tragedy. In New York, 74% fewer participants experienced homelessness while in the AOT prog... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1012434 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:22:00 +0100 1012434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=988478&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fhousing-homelesswho-arent-psychotic.html In an op-ed in the LA Times, two experts on homelessness and skid row wrote:The central antidote to homelessness is not a police sweep or a shelter bed. It's housing.Once housed and given appropriate support and services, formerly homeless people with mental and addiction disabilities -- those for whom we used to think a bowl of soup and a blanket was the best we could do -- have a good chance of staying off the streets.Certainly, they are right. For many of the people on skid row housing and services are enough. But what about people with mental illnesses so severe they have anosognosia, or a lack of insight into their illness? What about those who are so sick they will never chose mental health treatment? (Remember Nathanial?)Without assisted outpatient treatment to accompany housing and... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=988478 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:07:00 +0100 988478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=944647&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fforest-fires-and-untreated-mental.html Colorado is a dangerous place to be homeless. In Colorado Springs temperatures hover in the low 20s in December and January. The freezing temperatures drive many chronically homeless to build fires rather than seek shelters.Recently in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs a fire tore through area forests destroying 30 acres and causing $30,000 worth of damage. The fire was believed to be started by a homeless camp.Dr. Bob Holmes an advocate for the homeless says the fire is a by-product of a bigger problem. “The bigger problem is an issue that plagues many of the nearly 2,000 homeless people living in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs, mental illness. We have some mental health issues that are pretty rampant with the chronic homeless. That's why they are chronically homeless. There's ... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=944647 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:55:00 +0100 944647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=891679&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fstaggering-stat.html A 40 percent increase in the numbers of homeless people isn't drawing much attention - perhaps because the temperature in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a lovely 76 degrees today. Of course, in January that drops to an average of 21 degrees.For the 40 percent of that group with a diagnosed mental illness, the impending cold weather is just one of the many dangers they face.A research group says it found 587 homeless people in the [St. Paul] area last fall, a 49 percent increase since 2003. The study found more than 40 percent of the homeless were told within the last two years that they have a serious mental illness such as major depression, schizophrenia or post traumatic stress disorder. The Treatment Advocacy Center (www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org) is a national nonprofit dedicated to elimina... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=891679 Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:47:00 +0100 891679 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=861785&cid=t_113354_88_f&fid=34857&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscalpelorsword.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F09%2Fmultitasking-and-why-migraine-patients.html At any given moment during the typical shift in the ER, here is what is happening:There are 10-20 patients in the waiting room. Some have been waiting 6 hours. A couple of them have ankle sprains and were already X-rayed, and their X-rays were already read by the Radiologist as "no bony abnormality, soft tissue swelling." They would like to leave without being seen. We don't argue too much.I'm waiting on a callback from a specialist, and I have two more calls to make after that one. If I paged them all at once, they would all call back at the same time, then two of them would hang up before I was finished talking with the first one. They would be understandably angry when they were repaged, and they would take an hour to call back the second time. So I page them one at a time. As soon as I... Scalpel or Sword? blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=861785 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 08:35:00 +0100 861785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806016&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fstar-of-stage-screen-and-skid-row.html Sounds like Hollywood is poised to make another heartwarming movie about someone with mental illness who overcomes the odds. Jamie Foxx is set to play the part of Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, who "like 1% of the population has schizophrenia, sleeps on the sidewalk on skid row. His misfortune is to have the one disease for which there's no poster child, let alone a national telethon."That quote comes from Steve Lopez, a columnist for the LA Times who has been chronicling Nathanial's life. He has pulled his observations together into a book, which will be the basis for the movie starring Foxx.Nathanial's family, according to Lopez, couldn't get him to stay in treatment. As do so many schizophrenics, [his sister] Ayers-Moore says, her brother would improve with medication but then refuse to take ... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806016 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:37:00 +0100 806016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=803733&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Four-national-priorities-are-cat.html From TAC President E. Fuller Torrey:I was recently startled to learn that homeless cats are a higher priority than homeless people with schizophrenia.Alley Cat Allies was organized in 1990 to protect homeless and feral cats by promoting programs for their sterilization and vaccination rather than their euthanization. The organization has three regional offices and a staff and budget three times larger than TAC's.I like cats, but somewhere along the line our priorities have become badly skewed.TAC is the only organization trying to promote treatment for individuals with severe psychiatric disorders who are not being treated - the ones who are ending up homeless on the streets and in jails.Homeless people with untreated mental illnesses certainly deserve our intervention. It is clear we have... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=803733 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:59:00 +0100 803733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=755622&cid=t_113354_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2007%2F07%2F24%2Fhomeless-youth-on-fire-invisible-and-at-risk%2F As someone who has lived a relatively sheltered life, I always viewed homelessness as a problem that was addressed by legislators and officials. It was a problem that never seemed to affect me personally. It had to do with money and resources, and not with me. And then I went to hear speakers from Youth on Fire, a program that works with homeless youth. Listening to these young people talk about their lives, I was shocked by how like me they were. They were people. They were my peers. Shunned by a society that has no system of social support in place for them, kids are being placed in danger. My generation is in danger. These people, by virtue of being homeless, are three times more likely to have any type of chronic disease, including HIV/AIDS, than are those who are not homeless (http://... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=755622 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 16:46:12 +0100 755622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=592586&cid=t_113354_88_f&fid=34857&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscalpelorsword.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fno-mocking-allowed.html "They were supposed to be saving lives, not mocking them."Two paramedics made an outrageous 50-minute tape on the job that shows their crude interactions with hookers and bums - and a nasty running commentary making fun of patients, neighborhoods and the FDNY, as reported by the New York Post.The pair was forced to resign last week, but the public had no idea just how badly they betrayed their badges. The disturbing revelations included:Running derogatory comments Mean-spirited pokes at the homelessNasty pranks on drunksSleeping while on dutyShocking prostitute breast exposuresRaunchy lewd jokes at the expense of patientsPhotographing patients without department permissionPersonnel mocking their departments and their jobsGee, I've never done any of those things.For those of us who might be... Scalpel or Sword? blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=592586 Sun, 06 May 2007 20:42:00 +0100 592586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=552220&cid=t_113354_140_f&fid=35465&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychlaws.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fmentally-ill-homeless-in-snow.html That a large proportion of those who are homeless also have a mental illness is beyond debate. Coming up with the exact number of those coping with both homelessness and mental illness is more problematic. Counting and categorizing the diagnoses of those among a transient population, whose members tend to be without mailing addresses and phones, is a formidable task. A good estimate, however, is that there are 200,000 people with severe mental illness among the 600,000 who live in America’s streets and shelters. This means that one in three people without homes are homeless, at least in part, because of the symptoms of mostly treatable psychiatric illnesses.The results of an extensive survey of people in Minnesota who are homeless found that 52 percent of them had a serious mental illne... Treatment Advocacy Center blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=552220 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:55:00 +0100 552220