Journal

Engaging the Disengaged: Proposals on Madness and Vagrancy

The authors discuss the growing number of young, predominantly male, homeless people who are chronically mentally ill, and cite the difficulties in providing adequate treatment to this special population. They predict long-term disengagement for the young chronics due to multiple obstacles to effective treatment. The authors conclude with specific recommendations to overcome these barriers and call for federal leadership to develop social support systems for this population.