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Blogs by Ann Massey
Mental Illness - the link between schizophrenia and homelessness 7/10/2013 4:07:14 PM
Herself the mother of a homeless man, author Ann Massey wrote what life is like for "streeties" in her new book Salvation Jane. I've always known I couldn't write a book about homelessness without finally talking about my younger son--Lucy Hall, a smart business woman, and the last person you'd expect to have a son living on the streets was drawn from my own experience. Lot, the schizophrenic homeless man whose death in custody triggered Jane Patterson's crusade was pieced together from what I've witnessed about life on the streets, and stories I've been told.
THE PAST...
Around fourteen my son changed. He went from an active normal kid who enjoyed BMX, rugby and motor bikes to an angry, hostile teenager I blamed my marriage break-up. When I discovered he was using drugs, I blamed them. You see there was no history of mental illness in the the family. It never crossed my mind that my son was becoming ill with schizophrenia.
Very often I think back on the teenage years and wish I hadn't tried to muddle through on my own. Early treatment plays an important role in schizophrenia treatment and recovery, but at the time I thought his problems stemmed from alcohol and drug abuse, and I was frightened. I didn't want him to get in trouble with the law and possibly end up in prison.
NOW...
My son has full-blown schizophrenia. He rarely intereacts with his family. His journey through life is rough and difficult but he is sustained by his spirituality -- the internal world he inhabits is very real. He has a heroic sense of destiny that enables him to withstand the adversity that surrounds him. Creating a relationship with a divine entity has provided succour and solace for someone in a very powerless and vulnerable situation.
I don't understand, but I can see that having God as his constant companion has given Chris a sense of purpose.
