In researching the problem of homelessness in the city, the nurse discovers that the number of mentally ill homeless has steadily grown over the past couple of decades. The biggest reason for this trend is:

Question

A) Deinstitutionalization
B) An increase in the prevalence of major mental illness
C) Economic downturns
D) Shortages of affordable housing

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
The rising number of mentally ill clients who are homeless has steadily increased in the United States as state governments embarked on a systematic plan to "deinstitutionalize" the mentally ill. The goal of deinstitutionalization is to replace state hospitals with smaller group homes, half-way houses, or other supported living arrangements that integrate, rather than separate, the chronic mentally ill in the community. Tragically, the services available in the community seldom have kept pace with the demand for services. The gap in community-based services persists in all developed countries because of fiscal and political constraints. There is no evidence to support an increase in the prevalence of major mental illness. Economic downturns and shortages of affordable housing might contribute to homelessness overall, but are lesser causes than deinstitutionalization with regard to homelessness among the mentally ill.