The population health nurse investigates a local park where several complaints have been lodged against people who sleep there at night and rummage through the trash cans. The nurse sees several inappropriately overdressed people sitting on the benches with many worn shopping bags clustered around them. After speaking with these people, the nurse contacts a local mental health agency to refer them for services. What is the best rationale for this intervention?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

4. Mental illness is a psychological factor that contributes to homelessness. While not every person has mental illness, the nurse's intervention to contact a local mental health agency comes after speaking with the homeless people in the park. Sleeping on the benches, rummaging through trash, and inappropriately overdressing in clothes are indications that the people in the park are homeless. An estimated 20% to 25% of homeless people have mental illness. Mental health agencies are not the best source for homeless referrals, but are the best source for a homeless person who has mental illness. Mental health agencies are not source facilities for shelters or shower facilities. Mental health agencies are not the best source for homeless funding.

The Population Health Nurse Investigates a Local Park Where Several