Community Kitchen hosts mental health fair to help homeless find services
Chattanooga Times Free Press (TN)Feb 12, 2016
"I need a house, somewhere to stay," said a 64-year-old man, who identified himself only as Ron, when asked why he didn't take any information.
He was among dozens of homeless people who filled the kitchen for the facility's first mental health fair, called Love Yourself.
The man said he didn't talk with mental health representatives because he didn't think they could help him.
"To be honest, I'm a drug dealer," he said. "I can't get housing because of my record. I got put out of
But
"It may take lots of these before someone is reached, but if you don't have the information available to people, then they won't be able to take advantage of it," said
Kitchen officials want to make the city's homeless population more aware of the mental health services available to them, including services to end substance abuse. And staff want to do it in a way that is fun and not confrontational or demeaning, said
The fair was held in the day center, decorated with red, white and blue balloons. Kitchen staffer
Local radio talk show host
The
Nite said she suspects the count is even higher when considering substance abuse with mental health issues.
Spires L. and
"We want them to know that they are welcome," Baker said.
Local yoga instructor
She doesn't like coming to the
"It breaks the monotony of the day," she said. "I don't like this place. This is not me. I wish I wasn't here, but I have to be here because this is the only help I'm getting."
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