Rehabilitation of homeless trafficked person with mental illness: A case study

Abstract

Introduction: Homelessness has a detrimental impact on physical health. Deterioration of physical health is closely linked to psychosocial wellbeing. Rehabilitation of a homeless person with mental illness is very challenging when it is due to social factors. Methodology: A case study from the inpatient department of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi has been taken for the current study. The information collected from the patient case record file, personal interviews, and interaction with various professionals involved during the process of rehabilitation. Result: In the present case study it was observed that there is a strong association between homelessness and mental illness. Homelessness leads to exploitation, and human trafficking, which works as predisposing factors for mental illness. Multiple factors are associated with homelessness and mental illness. Social factors viz. poverty, lack of education, childhood trauma, stressful home environment and poor social support affect the person's mental health. Due to lack of insight and poor judgment, the affected persons land up in more stressful situations. Conclusion: Mental illnesses and homelessness have been one of the major concerns in developing countries. Timely interventions on these aspects by the stakeholders can prevent homelessness and thereby mental illness.

Keywords: Rehabilitation, homelessness, trafficking, reintegration