Mental health and suffering.
These two simple words make heads turn and ears prick up.
The severity of mental health issues and the importance of helping others has been a hot topic since the pandemic.
However, not many people think about the ones who are ignored in society and what they might be going through, like the homeless.
While this issue may not seem like the biggest problem in California compared to other problems like the distribution of fentanyl, it is still a prevalent issue with many underlying effects.
Homelessness rates have risen in California by 15% since the pandemic, according to CalMatters.
The homeless rate has jumped significantly within a few years in only one state. Imagine what the numbers are like throughout the rest of the country.
Fortunately, some people care about homelessness and are pushing to make changes, but there are still not enough. It would take a large, coordinated approach to resolve this issue and finally get more homeless people off the streets.
Meanwhile, many experts and organizations are also working on finding solutions to help alleviate homelessness. A variety of their tips involve practical and philosophical strategies. Anyone can use these to help those in need.
Many of them suggest volunteering at various shelters or making donations, etc.
But they boil down to one main message: You can do something.
Many people would think, why would we need to worry about this problem when officials like the government are taking care of this and providing support systems like shelters?
Many of the support and homeless shelters that are available for homeless people are not as sufficient as they should be.
On National Public Radio, a formerly homeless person, David Pirtle, was interviewed and he explained why many homeless people avoided shelters and what it was like staying in one. Pirtle says that the shelters that he has lived in were not sanitary or safe. People stole from each other, the stuff shelters provided with them were not clean, and the presence of drugs was still at hand.
Some good shelters have a sense of community, but some are still corrupt. That explains why there are still a number of people on the streets.
If more shelters improved and more people helped, then the homelessness rate would improve and decrease. But for this to happen soon, people need to act immediately.
People should think about solving this problem sooner rather than later because of what it can lead to and how it will only get worse.
Some might not suspect any issues are related or connected to homelessness, but according to the DRC, most people experiencing homelessness and living in the edgy shadows of society do not have any support systems. This can put people at a higher risk of vulnerability, poor health, and depression, leading to substance abuse, crime, and other issues.
For this problem to be resolved, more communities need to recognize the severe effects of homelessness and work together. If people worked hard together, it would majorly impact various societies.
This system’s health care and resources also need to be significantly improved. There need to be more affordable resources for people who have low incomes. Homeless shelters also need to be worked on; they need to sanitize their properties and provide substantial stuff for the homeless.
Positive changes around us would prevail and conquer if these improvements were made.
