Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/305631
The magnitude of the problem is eye-open- ing. In 2013, PSH served 5,110 individuals, many more than once. Among them were 433 described as having a "special need" because of "mental illness." Alcohol and drug addic- tion were listed as reasons for 639 people seeking help. Therefore, roughly 20 percent, or one-fifth, of the people assisted had mental illness or addiction issues. Among the 5,110 people served by PSH in 2013, 638 were also veterans of active mili- tary duty, or roughly 12.5 percent of the PSH population. That was down slightly from the 2012 percentage of 13.6 percent and the 13.1 figure for 2011. Overall, roughly one-eighth of the people coming to Pinellas Safe Harbor were veterans who served on active duty at some point in their lives. People coming through the PSH gates are overwhelmingly male, but with some differ- ences by age. The deputies reported statistics for age and sex, and the differences may por- tend an unfortunate trend. The oldest age category — 62-plus — shows a consistent ratio of 4:1, men-to-women in the shelter. To add humanity to that ratio, in the second quarter of 2012, there were 46 males and 12 females in the shelter older than 62. Quarter by quarter and year by year, the ratio of 4:1 has been steady over the past three years. A Cardno consultant created this concept drawing of a shelter on the 1330 N. Osprey Ave. site in Sarasota. Image courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader May 2, 2014 Page 9