Dear Source:
An Open letter to Chris Finch, Acting Commissioner, VI Department of Human Services (DHS):
I recently heard your comments on FM radio concerning the federal funding that is coming down the pipeline to target the housing plight of the mentally ill and homeless. You advocated the importance of tackling the underlying problem of homeless in the VI whether it be due to mental illness or substance abuse. You also acknowledged plight of the non visible homeless people. I'd like to share with you some personal insight in that area , and recommendations.
I am one of the non visible persons who suffered from homeless due to mental illness. Don't be shocked. All of us knows someone who suffers from a mental illness or we may be one pay check away from homelessness. You may not know we are homeless or on the brink of homelessness because of our pride. Society allows us to raise families and experiencing success in our chosen fields as long as we keep our mental illness a secret. When an episode happens and if a person chooses to go public with that information, everyone around us is shocked or embarrassed. So are we ( persons with mental illness). But it is a misplaced embarrassment on everyone's part. Most of us are highly intelligent people. We (person's with mental illness) don't ask to get sick. Experts say it is hereditary and brought on by an external stressor; such as rape, molestation, death of a loved one, or loss of a job ( just to name a few). For whatever the reason, we are suddenly in need of compassion and mental healthcare and/or other services afforded to any citizen. The current U.S. President's National Mental Health Initiative puts affordable housing high on that list of needs for the mentally ill.
Yet the public perception (of us) is one of stigmatization. Stigma dictates that we (persons with mental illness) be angry, unintelligent , ragged out, down on our luck and/or reeking with substance abuse in order to qualify for help. Stigma expects us to be seen out in the streets with our tin cups, our children lined up beside us with dirt on their faces and runny noses. We are suppose to be out there committing crimes and/or locked up at Golden Grove Prison. Some highly functioning consumers have said, a person who suffers a heart attack gets immediate help and a hospital bed while a person with a mental illness fights to get admitted to a hospital ward, maybe gets a plate of food, a cup of meds and is tossed back out in the streets. Sorry, could be any hospital policy (no finger pointing intended).
We are a proud generation of West Indian people. Did we not survive under seven flags. We use our last ounce of mental fortitude to appear normal. We stay in seclusion when necessary. We sew our own cloths, mend those in need, drink our herbal teas (and tonics) , use our limited resources to watch our diets and try to exercise consistently. We want to work with dignity and lovingly raise our families inside a home with windows, curtains, running water and a tub. Yet, Stigma tells us we can't successfully work or participate fully in society. With no SSI program in the VI, we are forced to take low paying jobs and we become a part of the working poor. The money we earn, minimum wage or below , gives us access to unaffordable and substandard housing. Homes even Section Eight won't certify. Many are mold , bat , or roach infested or don't have running water.
We make a tough choice to pay our rent or go without out medicines which keeps many of us always keeping us on the brink of mental instability. We may buy unhealthy foods to stretch our budgets in this age of technology , hand wash our cloths. Anguished we watch as our children suffer from chronic pink eye due to airborne allergens (roach , flea & bat dander). Lacking health insurance we have no choice but to fill Hospital emergency rooms seeking care for our families. Desperation forces us to finally seek help from any institutions which advertises that help is available. But because we don't fit a stereotype, we are turned away, Some of us with too much pride may wind up being read about in the newspaper obituaries.
Some of my friends buy into the strong black woman stereotype and live in hand wringing desperation. They sacrifice their meds to feed and cloth their children. Others self medicate with alcohol or an illegal drug of choice. Still others, stay in abusive relationships, dilapidated housing or live in the bush rather than suffer the indignation of seeking help from an Emergency Social Service Intake Center. You ask why? The "why" I am very intimately familiar with. The funny looks. The sucking of teeth. The disdainful looks from a worker as he/she receives a check marked with the DHS insignia ear marked to pay electricity or rent. In our embarrassment we may talk loud or lash out with hurtful words to ease our emotional pain. Is that not why we are getting help? To help us think better and care for our families. Some of us even had to have to learn there is no shame in asking for help–the first step towards recovery. We don't want a hand out, just a hand up. We want affordable housing too. We desperately need it. Surly rational people can understand the plight of the invisible homeless and in return–respond with common decency.
We folks with mental illness Stigmatize ourselves. But society has been helping us Stigmatize each other for centuries. That same Stigma has prevented the appropriate level of funding to be put in place for basic mental health services or medication here in the Virgin Islands. That same Stigma prevents programs from being put in place to help our children with Attention Deficient Disorder (ADHD). That same Stigma prevents our power brokers from supporting funding for transitional housing or drop in programs for persons with mental illness. Folks who suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression are just as deserving of basic care as those persons suffering from heart disease or diabetes. The homeless problem impacts many people. Look beyond the family scrambling to maintain some sort of dignity and normalcy to a landlord whose eviction actions on the surface may appear callous but is prompted by the need to recover funds for a forgive less mortgage with its escalating charges. How can landlords recover with out causing extreme duress for a family unit already under stress. We see the visible homeless. Are the invisible homeless any less deserving of help? These individuals and families just want to thrive like you and me. Where are the safety nets for highly functioning persons with mental illness (especially those without support systems) who may need affordable housing to accommodates those periods of rehabilitation. Perhaps Commissioner Finch, you can help the Division of Mental Health under the Department of Health–put those family and single dwelling homes or apartments in place.
On another note, Ten Thousand Helpers of St. Croix, Inc., did not just recently step up to the plate to help persons with mental illness. Despite their meager budget made up of donations and small grants this non-profit 501 (3)(c) organization has quietly assisted hundreds of people (behind the scenes) for years and despite this community's issue with Stigma. It asks for no accolades just funding for its programs without legislative or bureaucratic intrigue. Community donations and field support are always welcome. Contact Number: 340-719-2828.
In conclusion, the battle against all levels of homelessness requires that service recipients collaborate with stakeholders and decision makers to come up with viable solutions. Affordable housing earmarked for persons with mental illness " without a shame component attached to it" is an important part of the process of getting our people off the streets and keeping them off the street as long as possible. A Territory wide Stigma information and outreach education program should be implemented to targets all agencies which offer help to the homeless ands mentally ill. A healthy
lifestyle mental health classroom module should be implemented. Bottom line, we have to stop traumatizing each other and ourselves. Help spread the word that "Treatment is Available. Recovery is Possible." (You may contact Lorraine V. Quinton through the Source. Make certain to put her name on the subject line of the e-mail that you send).
Acting Commissioner Chris Finch, I am confident that you will tackle this issue with vision and creativity. The DeJong and Francis Administration has hit the ground running with your selection.
Lorraine V. Quinton
St. Croix
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
