Homelessness complicated by shortage of services Accessing mental health services a challenge for the homeless

by Melissa Herzstein & Amy Ballard
guest commentary posted March 18

“I never know what day it is. I only know the time based on whether the sun is out.”

I (Melissa) was alarmed by this statement from an unhoused individual I interviewed as I helped with Butte County’s 2025 Point in Time (PIT) count, the biennial study that measures the number of unhoused persons through observation and response to a survey about their needs. This man was describing the challenges he faced in seeking mental health services at a walk-in facility. He was given an appointment for months out, making it impossible for him to attend because he had no reliable way to tell time.

Based on the accounts of this individual and others, it is common for unhoused people to be unable to access critical mental health and housing services due to overcrowded facilities. As social work students, we are concerned about this issue because it negatively impacts not just the unhoused population, but our community as a whole.

According to the 2023 PIT data, there are about 925 unhoused individuals in Chico. Although multiple homeless shelters exist, 40% of these unhoused persons are unsheltered.

Thirty-eight percent of unhoused individuals in Chico experience mental health issues, while the overall rate in California is even higher — at 50%-60%. Because there are insufficient shelter options and mental health services, this population is susceptible to engaging in substance abuse as a coping mechanism, or crime, including theft, to address their unmet needs.

The increase in substance abuse can lead to potential harm to themselves and others or possible overdoses. Higher rates of violence and crime can trigger negative psychological effects due to fear and safety concerns on the part of members of our community. Also, the lack of hygiene facilities for unsheltered individuals causes unsanitary conditions in public spaces where these persons are living.

During the March 4 Chico City Council meeting, community members echoed these safety concerns while also recognizing the issue of homelessness as a top priority. Currently, a large portion of the budget allocated to addressing homelessness is spent on clearing encampments, which is not only inhumane but also ineffective at solving the problem in the long run. The solutions brought to the Council’s attention were creating managed campgrounds, forming safe parking areas, and increasing the number of shelters.

In addition to supporting these solutions, we urge the new ad hoc homelessness committee to advocate for access to walk-in mental health services at managed campgrounds, facilities and shelters. We implore these organizations to train individuals to be culturally aware and sensitive to issues faced by unhoused persons.

We encourage shelters and law enforcement agencies to conduct regular crisis intervention training for staff to provide better support around substance abuse and mental health issues. We urge shelters to address intake, record keeping and communication issues so that unhoused individuals have consistent housing. Through these solutions, we can create a safer environment and improve the quality of life not only for unhoused individuals, but also for the community as a whole.

Melissa Herzstein is a resident of Chico and a first-year student in the Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Southern California (USC). She volunteered to help with the PIT count, which she said was “eye-opening for me because it showed me how much mental health services for individuals experiencing homelessness are needed. I came across multiple individuals who mentioned their struggles with mental health and wished I could have done more than provide referrals to facilities they already knew of.”

Amy Ballard is a Los Angeles resident who is also enrolled in the MSW program at USC. Ballard said: “Based on our research, the aspect of homelessness in Chico that stood out to me the most was the long wait times for unhoused individuals to receive mental health services at walk-in facilities. Through the efforts of the ad hoc committee on homelessness and other community endeavors, we hope that the unhoused population will be able to obtain more timely and accessible services in the future.”