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Recasting Care Models for Mental Illness and Homelessness

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Context

There has been a significant shift in India's approach towards homeless persons living with mental illness (HPMI), emphasizing community integration over traditional institutional care.

Changing Paradigms in Mental Health Care

  • Societal norms historically viewed HPMI as refuge seekers, leading to their involuntary relocation to mental hospitals and shelter homes.
  • Modern perspectives challenge these norms, advocating for community-based care models that respect individual agency and social inclusion.
  • This paradigm shift aims to provide HPMI with a sense of belonging and support within local communities rather than isolating them in institutional settings.

Innovative Collaborative Efforts

  • Collaborations between government bodies like the National Health Mission and civil society organizations have pioneered new approaches.
  • Initiatives such as Emergency Care and Recovery Centres (ECRCs) within district hospitals aim to offer decentralized and immediate care.
  • Programs like Housing First and Tarasha prioritize stable housing and community support, aiming to restore agency and social integration for HPMI.

Policy Reforms and Future Directions

  • Recent policy reforms highlight the need for comprehensive support systems beyond traditional shelter and treatment.
  • Efforts include financial empowerment through disability allowances and vocational training to integrate HPMI into economic and social spheres.
  • However, bureaucratic barriers such as Aadhar and banking access remain challenges to achieving full financial inclusion, necessitating further policy adjustments.
Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the evolution of India's approach towards homeless persons living with mental illness (HPMI), focusing on the shift from institutional care to community-based models. What are the challenges and opportunities associated with this transition?

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