Health

“Step Into My Shoes”

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Mental illness is a major cause of homelessness. Home is where recovery begins. Anyone could end up living on the streets.

These are just a few of the many messages viewers will see at a new interactive, video booth launched today at the County Administration Center (CAC), located at 1600 Pacific Highway in San Diego.

The “Step Into My Shoes” booth, designed to educate viewers about homelessness, mental illness, and the importance of having a home will be on display at the County Administration Center, (CAC) 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego,  through March 20.

“This is a great tool that will help increase people’s awareness about homelessness and mental illness,” said Nick Macchione, Director for the County Health and Human Services Agency. “We hope they see how important having a permanent place to live is in the recovery process and leave behind their misconceptions about supportive housing.”

After its stay at the CAC, the booth will travel to community events and be showcased at County libraries. The “Step Into My Shoes” booth is part of the County Housing Matters campaign, which aims to reduce stigma and housing discrimination related to mental illness.

How does the booth work? Viewers approaching the booth are detected by a motion sensor. When they step on a “Welcome” doormat, the screensaver video stops and the booth begins playing Housing Matters messages, which highlight the importance of supportive housing.

“The videos put a human face on the issue of homelessness and mental illness and the booth reinforces the message that having a home is the first step to living more productive and fulfilling lives, a goal of the County’s Live Well, San Diego! initiative,” said Alfredo Aguirre, County Mental Health Services Director.

Supportive housing gives people with a mental illness and who are homeless or at risk of being homeless a permanent place to live. Supportive housing integrates mental health services, primary health care, alcohol and drug services, case management and social services.  These services help homeless people living with mental illness gain stability and live more productive lives.

For more information regarding the Housing Matters campaign or to request the ‘Step Into My Shoes’ booth at an upcoming event, contact info@HousingMattersSD.org.