Unhoused People Deserve Compassionate Mental Health Care, Too
Their own mental health crisis led Maryn Hakes, a member of Duluth's Loaves and Fishes Catholic Worker, to reflect on what it would take to provide compassionate mental health care for all.
Welcome to an extra issue of CW Reads, the Roundtable edition where we publish longer reads from other Catholic Worker publications.
Today’s bonus issue features an essay that caught our eye in the latest issue of the Loaves and Fishes Catholic Worker’s eponymous newsletter, Loaves and Fishes. The essay was published with a trigger warning for depression, substance use, suicide ideation/attempt, transphobia.
Dignity, Homelessness, and Mental Health
By Maryn Hakes
Last summer, I attempted suicide. I’d just lost my job, and I’d lost a group of friends because of the ways my substance use and unresolved trauma impacted the people around me. Then, I had a conversation with my grandma (who has always been one of my strongest supporters in an otherwise tenuous familial experience) that was super transphobic and damaging. On June 1, 2023, I drove up Highway 61 towards Palisade Head to kill myself. The doom spiral I found myself in made me feel like there was no other option and that I was making the world a better place by taking myself out of it.
Thankfully, my community and closest friends sprang into action when they realized something was wrong. I was found and brought to the hospital. The privileges of having secure housing, a strong support network, and health insurance meant that I was able to find some stability for my mental health in the weeks after I left the hospital. I am alive today because of my community, my chosen family, and my access to housing and health care.
Among the myriad challenges homeless individuals face, access to mental health care stands out as a critical yet elusive necessity. For those experiencing homelessness and mental health issues, their journey toward healing is often obstructed by systemic barriers and societal neglect. In this landscape of adversity, the principles of Catholic teaching on human dignity illuminate not only the plight of the homeless but also the imperative to extend compassionate care to those in need.
Central to Catholic social teaching is the inherent dignity of every human person. This principle underscores the fundamental truth that every individual, including those experiencing homelessness, possesses an intrinsic worth that demands respect and compassion.
One of the primary challenges faced by homeless individuals seeking mental health care is the lack of accessible resources. Mental health services are often concentrated in urban areas, leaving those in rural or remote regions with limited or no access to essential care. Additionally, even within urban centers, long waitlists and insufficient funding further exacerbate the issue, making it difficult for homeless individuals to receive timely and adequate treatment.
Moreover, the stigma surrounding both homelessness and mental illness perpetuates a cycle of marginalization and neglect. Society's misconceptions and prejudices often lead to the dehumanization of the homeless population, making it easier to overlook their needs, including mental health care. This stigma can discourage individuals from seeking help, fearing judgment or discrimination, and perpetuates the cycle of suffering.
Catholic teaching, rooted in the Gospel message of love and solidarity, calls for a response that upholds the dignity of every person, especially the marginalized. Pope Francis has emphasized the Church's mission to accompany the poor and vulnerable, urging communities to embrace a culture of encounter and solidarity. In the context of mental health care for the homeless, this means recognizing the humanity of each individual and ensuring they receive the support and care they need and deserve.
Furthermore, Catholic social teaching emphasizes the principle of preferential option for the poor, which entails prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable in society. When it comes to mental health care, this principle necessitates a concerted effort to address the disparities that disproportionately affect homeless individuals. It calls for policies and initiatives that prioritize the allocation of resources to provide accessible and culturally sensitive mental health services for the homeless population.
Beyond structural and systemic challenges, there are also individual barriers that homeless individuals face in accessing mental health care. Factors such as lack of transportation, unstable living conditions, and distrust of institutions can further hinder their ability to seek help. Additionally, untreated mental illness can exacerbate other issues faced by the homeless, such as substance abuse and chronic health conditions, creating a complex web of challenges that demand a holistic approach to care.
All people deserve the community and care I received last summer. We will not end homelessness until we do this work.
Ultimately, the struggle for mental health care among the homeless is a reflection of broader societal injustices and disparities. It is a call to action for communities, policymakers, and individuals to uphold the dignity of every human person and ensure that no one is left behind. By embracing the principles of Catholic teaching on human dignity and solidarity, we can strive toward a society where mental health care is accessible to all, especially those who are most vulnerable and marginalized.
About us. Roundtable covers the Catholic Worker Movement. This CW Reads was produced by Jerry Windley-Daoust. Roundtable is an independent publication not associated with the New York Catholic Worker or The Catholic Worker newspaper. Send inquiries to roundtable@catholicworker.org.
Subscription management. Add CW Reads, our long-read edition, by managing your subscription here. Need to unsubscribe? Use the link at the bottom of this email. Need to cancel your paid subscription? Find out how here. Gift subscriptions can be purchased here.
Paid subscriptions. Paid subscriptions are entirely optional; free subscribers receive all the benefits that paid subscribers receive. Paid subscriptions fund our work and cover operating expenses. If you find Substack’s prompts to upgrade to a paid subscription annoying, email roundtable@catholicworker.org and we will manually upgrade you to a comp subscription.