Stories inspire others to beat the odds for homelessness

 Shortly into adulthood, Vernon Bishop, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression, quit taking his medication.

He spun into a manic episode and spent every dime he had on a home theater system. When it came time to pay the rent, Bishop didn't have any money left. He was evicted from his apartment and had nowhere to go.

Luckily, his case manager at the Center for Mental Health became aware of the situation and helped Bishop, now 31, get into a group home.

"I came this close to not having a place to live," Bishop said, holding two fingers just centimeters apart. "I would have probably been in the Mission or somewhere."

A survey of the state's homeless in January showed that 20 percent of people who are homeless in Montana have a mental illness.  (see the rest of the story in today's Tribune)

Great Falls Tribune story by Erin Madison / Tribune Photos by Joshua Kodis