Substance use disorders (SUDs) are often both the result of and aggravated by conditions such as homelessness and mental illness. Treating an individual’s SUD also means remedying the conditions that cause the disorder and prolong its effects. To that end, Haymarket Center is rolling out its GBHI Chicago (Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals) project to simultaneously treat all of those conditions for hundreds of people.
Haymarket was recently granted funding by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This grant was awarded to support 300 people who live in underserved communities of Chicago, the majority of whom have experienced SUDs related to opioid use, by providing education on medications to treat conditions of mental illness and substance use, monitoring patient performance, and follow-up care to assist in recovery. The project seeks to meet three goals: reduce substance use, reduce symptoms of mental health, and transition patients into stable housing.
“At a time when homelessness is on the rise, it’s more important than ever that individuals experiencing homelessness along with substance use disorders and mental conditions get the help they need,” explained Jeffrey Collord, Haymarket Center’s Vice President of Operations. “Haymarket’s new grant program will provide treatment and supportive assistance to help these individuals enter into recovery and gain employment and housing.”