Advocates for the Lubbock homeless community think there’s a lack of mental health resources for Lubbock’s homeless population. Sergeant Steven Bergen with Lubbock’s Homeless Outreach Team said they determined during their annual “homeless count” that majority of the Lubbock homeless population struggles with mental health.
“What we found out is that mental health plays a big part what we deal with and it’s been frustrating, there are resources for mental health and we it utilize here but there’s not enough and I think it’s something people need to be aware of.” Bergen said.
Chris Moore with Grace Campus, Paul’s Project helps to house nearly 100 people who once lived on the streets.
“More than half have some type of mental illness, diagnosed, some of them, but a lot of them aren’t diagnosed,”
Moore said. “We need more doctors and counselors.”
One Lubbock woman, Sabrina Thorne said she has lived in parks for the past three years and that it’s not always easy for homeless people to get the help they need.
“In the past three years, I’ve lost my parents, my best friend from suicide, I struggle with PTSD, depression, and multiple other non- diagnosed disorders and its very hard to keep a very stable mind, especially out here on the streets when you don’t know what you’re doing,” said Thorne.
Starcare Specialty Health has their clinic doors open to the public 24/7. Crisis director, Bobby Carter said they treat homeless people for free, but it’s the drug rehabilitation programs that can get pricey.
“It’s very difficult for individuals without funding to receive substance abuse treatment, a lot of substance abuse facilities are private contracted, private owned and it takes a considerable amount of money to seek treatment for that.”
