Opinion | Treat homelessness as a sign of love deprivation, not a crime

Teen actor Jack Veal, who was in Marvel's “Loki” series, revealed recently that he was struggling with homelessness.

As a primary care physician and attending doctor for medical residents in training at Corewell Health, I see homeless patients every week at the Pope Francis Center in Detroit. I am not shocked that a famous star is, sadly, homeless.

During my eight years of treating the unhoused, I’ve cared for those with leg wounds, addictions, skin afflictions, mental health problems, uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease, malnutrition and chronic pain. I’ve seen something else that I believe is a significant contributor to homelessness. I call it “love deprivation.”

Love deprivation stems from social isolation, a lack of meaningful relationships, trauma, hatred and emotional distress. It leads to loneliness, depression, anxiety, rejection, shame and even death.

Jack Veal stated in a TikTok video he was a victim of domestic violence in his own home. He described a difficult childhood and said he struggles with mental health and other challenges. His situation shows you can star in a hit movie and still find yourself suffering the crippling effects of emotional trauma.

A recent study on loneliness from the Harvard Graduate School of Education suggests lonely adults feel disconnected from family and friends and feel a void of meaning and purpose. Lack of loving relationships fosters the growing loneliness epidemic in America. 

As I read about Jack Veal, I thought of all the friends I’ve made at the Pope Francis Center who share a similar struggle. It’s a group of people I have seen increase starkly over the years. There are more people struggling to pay bills, afford health care and get the mental health services they deserve, especially post-COVID.

One guest, Maurice, was extra special. We first met when he had a black eye, abrasion on his cheek and bloody nose. Someone had robbed him while he was sleeping outside. Maurice was adamant that he didn’t need any help, but I brought some wound care supplies to him and started cleaning his wounds. He was apprehensive at first, but when we were done, he smiled at me and said, “You were so gentle, as if you really cared for me.” His eyes swelled up with tears. 

That was the first of many visits with Maurice. I saw him weekly for various ailments, and he told me how much he did not receive love in this world but, despite that, he loved me. He also told the other guests, “She loves you for real. It’s not pretend.” 

Maurice passed away in 2023. I didn’t get to say goodbye to him. My heart broke, imagining how Maurice may have spent his last moments. Was he alone? Was he in pain? Did he feel loved?

Pope Francis Center holds an annual memorial service on Dec. 21. It’s part of a national movement held on the longest night of the year to give love and dignity to unhoused people who have passed away, some from freezing to death, violence, or health ailments that didn’t receive the attention it needed. 

The memorial that year gave me the opportunity to honor Maurice and say my last goodbyes. I was able to tell him that he was loved. I can still see his smile and I miss his warm hugs.

At the 2024 memorial, the names of more than 60 people who died while experiencing homelessness in Detroit were read out loud as a candle was lit in their honor. The number was approximately double from how many people were honored in past years. Another sign that homelessness in our area is getting worse. 

In his remarks, Father Tim McCabe, president and CEO of the Pope Francis Center, emphasized the power of love. “Just love one another. That’s the message,” he said.

Love plays a pivotal role in our emotional well-being, personal growth, and social connectedness. As a doctor, I found love deprivation the hardest illness to bear witness to but the easiest to cure. It just requires a little bit of time to show someone they are cared for.

Nobody is immune to becoming homeless. Jack Veal’s viral TikTok video reminds us of this. As we head into 2025 with new political leaders taking power, I worry about what lies ahead for those experiencing homelessness who don’t have the fame and social media reach to advocate for themselves. 

Instead of dismissing the homeless, let’s promote a culture of love and service. Let’s think of the victims of the disease of love deprivation and give all those who just need love, compassion, and understanding some attention. Let’s do any little gesture to heal them before it’s too late.