Homeless Only Get Food If They See A Counsellor!

[Gavmacp]

I saw this last night can't remember what the programmer was but it did rather make my blood boil.
They were suggesting that homeless people would only get food if they agreed to see a counsellor. As I have said this left me livid!!
First of all forcing someone in this situation I believe is so wrong.
But from personal experience mental health services are pretty useless. So great you do decide to open up and you get someone as impotent as I got. As if life is not bad enough you are now walking around with extra baggage.

[wolf63]

I can't see it being as clear cut as that - can you remember any more that might help us find the programme and the details that it was supplying?

[Gavmacp]

I think it was on the one show.

[wolf63]

I can't find it. I will have a look later and see what they were talking about. My brain now needs its afternoon nap :-)

[bodeker]

I wanted to see a counsellor once , took me 3 months to get appointment !

[Svejk]

Are they being forced to do anything? Sounds more like a choice they were offered.

[sandyRoe]

The charity, Crisis, provided accommodation for homeless people over the Christmas holidays. There are counsellors available if anyone wants to talk. It's optional.

[Gavmacp]

Doesn't appear to be a choice in my opinion.

[bodeker]

Unless you are ready to talk, its not really going to help anyway, just going by my own experience.

[pastafreak]

The homeless are where they are for any number of reasons. Some have extreme mental health issues,while others prefer a life with no ties. To require counseling ignores this,and also ignores the fact that ending hunger is the first step to wellness...not counseling.

[Svejk]

I didn't see the programme. But just going by what you've said, they were offered food if they saw a counsellor. Isn't that a choice? They weren't forcing food and counselling on them, were they?

[pastafreak]

That's not a choice. If a person has no home and no...or very little...money,there should not be any requirements to get a meal. If they do not see a counsellor they do not get food. Where do they go then? The nearest dustbin? Because that's all there is for some.

[fiction-factory]

Gavmap- who was offering food on the condition that the homeless people agreed to counselling? It's not compulsory to give food to the homeless- many of us don't give anything regularly so it seems harsh to have a go at those who at least offer a choice

[Gavmacp]

It was suggested as a possible solution. I do rather agree that counseling/support could help. But forcing it on them as a condition if they want food is soooo wrong!!

[fiction-factory]

I suppose it's considered to be 'tough love'/ 'being cruel to be kind'.
I have given food (albeit not often) but don't give money. Some might say it's harsh not to give money. But I know that giving them food is only a very short term bit of help from me- if I could put them in touch with a counsellor it would improve teh chances of a good outcome.