Following the implementation of a program of integrated treatment for mental illness by the Mental Health Department of the Ministry of Public Health and the First Lady’s Office, the number of homeless and street people diagnosed with chronic mental illness has decreased. The Ministry of Public Health reports that this year, 97 people have been rescued from the streets. Those rescued were taken to crisis intervention centers in different hospitals before being reunited with their families. So far 37 people have been returned to their families.
Of those taken off the streets, around 20 are in the Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Center, located at kilometer 28 on the Duarte Highway in Santo Domingo West; 37 were returned to their families, two foreigners were handed over to their respective embassies, five were taken to Hogares Crea and some are still in the crisis intervention units in hospitals.
The information is in a report covering January to November 2017 that was prepared by the Program for the Protection of those with Chronic Mental Illness of the Mental Health Department of the Ministry of Public Health.
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Listin Diario
28 November 2017
