Trends for people with mental illness, and why a stable, supportive home matters

"Some government policies, put in place for very good reasons, have contributed to the affordable housing crisis," says Cogswell Hall Executive Director Diana Cyganovich. People with mental illness still bear the burden of one such policy. Large institutions that housed and treated them were supposed to be replaced with community-based mental health centers. "Started in the 1970’s, it was a great policy overall," Diana says, "but drastically underfunded community-based care resulted in an unintended consequence of more persons with mental illness becoming homeless."

Also, as care for people with mental illness declines, more people are jailed or imprisoned, as seen in this graphic from the Cleveland-based Center for Community Solutions.

A supportive home is a key to stability for people with mental illness, especially those who have been truly homeless. Cogswell Hall does its bit to meet the demand: 46% of our residents come straight from homelessness, and, among those, 75% have a mental illness such as schizophrenia, major depression, or a bipolar, anxiety or schizoaffective disorder. Add substance abuse disorders and that figure climbs to 90%.

"People who have been homeless a long time can be reluctant to accept life off the street," says Cogswell Program Manager Diane Kragt. "Health crises are a common reason for them to come into housing. One of our current residents lived in a bus shelter for 12 years, made some unfortunate choices and was hospitalized before coming here. After two months, she has begun joining in community activities, and now, with warm weather, she can often be seen enjoying the sunshine and spring breeze on what she considers 'her' side porch."

Programs like Cogswell's are essential, and gifts from individuals, companies, foundations and civic groups make a huge difference. "But a crisis this big cannot be solved by private philanthropy alone," Diana says. "Affordable housing and community mental health work need to be priorities when policy and funding decisions are made at all levels of government."

Citizens come to Cogswell for Evicted book discussion

Twenty-six neighbors and interested citizens came to Cogswell Hall May 24 to discuss eviction and housing insecurity. Pictured here is Executive Director Diana Cyganovich, giving words of welcome in the Community Room. Based on the renowned Matthew Desmond book Evicted, the discussion was moderated by Amy E. Dawson of the Cleveland Public Library system and co-sponsored by Cogswell and the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization. Conversation ranged from the overall need for affordable housing in Greater Cleveland to specific landlord and tenant issues on the Near West Side.

Photo by Sakina Kapasi

Have you signed up for the anniversary picnic, Wednesday evening, June 27?

You are invited to a Cogswell Hall potluck picnic Wednesday, June 27, at a local park. Bring your family! It's free! Hot dogs, fixin's and dessert will be provided. Come meet residents, volunteers, and members of the Board, committees and staff. It's one way of celebrating 140 years of housing and helping people in need. Please email Sakina Kapasi to sign up, tell us what dish you'll bring, and learn where the picnic will be.

Keeping things fun, meaningful on a beautiful spring Friday

One thing about living at Cogswell Hall: there's often plenty to do. Take Friday, June 15. If you were a resident here that day, you could shop at our in-house store, CogsMart, walk the block with an exercise group, or relax and chat over a "creative expressions" art project. You could speak your mind and listen to others at a rap session. Maybe sweetest of all, you could pile into the van for a trip to Sweet Moses Soda Fountain and Treat Shop in the nearby Gordon Square Arts District on a sunny, late-spring afternoon (see photos below). Thanks to the Cogswell Supportive Services staff for keeping life active  -- and to you, Dear Reader, for your support, which makes activities like this possible for low-income adults who face many challenges. Thank you!                                                                                                   Photos by Hans Holznagel