MIHS is one of our longest running programs. Our case managers, overseen by an LISW, reach into the highways and byways looking for underserved and unserved persons with severe and persistent mental illness. Most are dually diagnosed, meaning that they have at least two co-occurring disorders. The Life Link provided outreach services to 738 unduplicated mentally ill/co-occurring disorder homeless since July 1, 2002 through our Mentally Ill Homeless Services and Health Care for Homeless case managers. Case management is provided to an average of 93 homeless mentally ill individuals monthly; 68% are not receiving social security disability; about half are undiagnosed or wrongly diagnosed; 69% have a co-occurring diagnosis of substance abuse. The most common diagnosis is Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders. Of this number 47% live outdoors, 11% are at our local emergency shelter; 39% are doubling up with anyone to stay off the streets; and the final 3% are coming out of jail or correctional facilities or residential treatment programs.

For more information, please call Jean Kenaston at 505-438-0010.