Nearly 20% of adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with mental illness each year, 10% including a serious emotional or behavioral disorder (Preyde et al., 2011). With the prevalence and severity of adolescent mental illness on the rise, it is worth devoting close scrutiny to the efficacy of different programs available to treat these youth. One type of program in need of review is the short-term, youth crisis residential program (CRP), which boasts a relatively high success rate. This paper will explore the different elements that collectively make CRPs successful for youth with mental illness, comparing and contrasting the current literature with qualitative findings from my field study. Common elements included a structured environment, family-focused approach, cooperation, and a positive focus. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of generalizing to other treatment programs and areas in need of future research and support from the academic community. Methods Setting Fieldwork was conducted primarily at the CSP Youth Shelter in Laguna Beach, California. Additionally, fieldwork was conducted while accompanying shelter residents on outings to parks, recreation centers, community workshops, and similar events. Procedures Data were collected qualitatively in the form of extensive fieldnotes, over the course of 10 weeks. The data were then coded and analyzed to determine the primary elements crucial to the success of CRPs. Population Throughout the course of my 10-week study, I observed approximately 20 youths aged 13-17. In order to be admitted to the shelter, youths must be “in crisis,” characterized by “behaviors or a history indicative of SED [serious emotional disturbance], experiencing signif... ... middle of paper ... .... Journal Of Child & Family Studies, 20(5), 660-668. doi:10.1007/s10826-010-9442-z Robst, J., Armstrong, M., Dollard, N., Rohrer, L., Sharrock, P., Batsche, C., & Reader, S. (2013). Characteristics related to family involvement in youth residential mental health treatment. Children & Youth Services Review, 35(1), 40-46. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.10.004 Siskind, D., Harris, M., Kisely, S., Brogan, J., Pirkis, J., Crompton, D., & Whiteford, H. (2013). A retrospective quasi-experimental study of a community crisis house for patients with severe and persistent mental illness. Australian & New Zealand Journal Of Psychiatry, 47(7), 667-675. doi:10.1177/0004867413484369 Souverein, F. A., Van der Helm, G. P., & Stams, G. M. (2013). ‘Nothing works’ in secure residential youth care?. Children & Youth Services Review, 35(12), 1941-1945. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.09.010
Finkelstein, M. (2005). With no direction home: homeless youth on the road and in the streets. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Abuse and neglect are one of the top three leading causes of youth homelessness. “Studies show 70 percent of homeless youth have suffered some form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse”
Homelessness is a real serious health issue all over the world that must be addressed. A lot of people in a public frequently misunderstand the cause of homelessness. Remarks regarding homeless people such as “they need to just get a job” or “go to school” are normally used liberally by members of society because they neglect to look at the complete issue. Homelessness does not discriminate. Individuals that have previously experience or may experience being homeless can be from different regions, have different cultural backgrounds, ages, and could be of any gender. Minorities seem to be mostly affected by homelessness. A study done in 2012 found that the homeless population is consisted of 39% non-Hispanic Whites, 42% African-Americans, 13% Hispanic, 4% Native-American, and 2% Asian (Now on PBS, 2012). The End Homelessness website provides the following statistics:
Sedlak and McPherson’s (2010) study, titled “Youth’s Needs and Services: Findings from the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement (SYRP), is based on interviews with youth in custody. According to the SYRP, 60% of youths report anger issues, and depression; moreover, over half of the juveniles who are currently incarcerated report that they are unable to act because they live in fear. That is why Sedlak and McPherson (2010) argue that youth should receive counseling in their current facilities, to find answers about and solutions to their mental and emotional problems.
If good intentions, well-meaning programs, and humanitarian gestures could end homelessness, it would be history by now. Since they don’t, it is time to do something different, something that solves the problem, not services the disgrace. (Philip Mangano, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness). The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) defines homeless youth as individuals who are “not more than 21 years of age … for whom it is not possible to live in a safe environment with a relative and who have no other safe alternative living arrangement.” Implicit in this definition is the notion that homeless youth are not accompanied by a parent or guardian (Haber & Toro, 2004). The following essay examines two interventions for homeless youth that abuse drug and alcohol.
The youth homelessness population is increasing because of the many challenges that these children or teens face in everyday life; It also continues getting larger every year because of the many youth who are getting into dangerous situations that force them to be homeless or thru their own choosing. One third of the homeless population is between the ages of 16-24, which is incredibly young and it is the prime years for an adolescent or young adu...
National Center for Homeless Education. (2013, October). Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program. Greensboro: U.S Department of Education. Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/programs/homeless/data-comp-0910-1112.pdf
Giffords, E., Alonso, C., & Bell, R. (2007). A Transitional Living Program for Homeless Adolescents: A Case Study. Child & Youth Care Forum, 36(4), 141-151. doi:10.1007/s10566-007-9036-0.
Rotheram-Borus, M. J. (1991). Serving runaway and homeless youth. Family & Community Health, 14(3), 23-32.
...ealth screenings and appropriate referrals should be given priority. Quality educational programs, with extra tutoring should be made available to homeless children and parent outreach is essential. Recreational and afterschool care are need for homeless children to have a safe and caring environment to stay when parents must work. It is the goal to help client’s cope with and overcome issues related to childhood homelessness and how to prevent at risk clients from becoming homeless
Mental health treatment among juvenile is a subject that has been ignored by society for far too long. It has always been one of those intricate issues that lead to the argument of whether juveniles should receive proper treatment or imprisoned like any other criminals, and often trialed as adults. Many times, young people are often deprived of proper help (Rosenberg) However, we often overlook the fact that while they are criminals, they are still young, and fact or not, it is a matter of compassion that must be played from our side to help these youth overcome their harsh reality. As such, we do however see signs of sympathy shown towards juvenile. Juvenile health courts give help to youth to youth who have serious mental illness (Rosenberg). It is often asked in general, would mental health treatment cure juvenile criminals? In my opinion, when you look at the background of these young criminals, it is frequently initiated from negligence and feelings of betrayal (Browne and Lynch), of course leading to mental disorder. However, further zooming into their background, it is always proper treatment that saves them from their unfortunate circumstances. Research shows that giving juvenile criminals mental health treatment did not only reduce re-arrests but also further improve their ways of living among the society.
Necessary Behavioral Mental Health intervention does not end at the point first responders have successfully contained the actual crisis. The ongoing need for Behavioral Mental Health services will continue for an extended length of time when a traumatic event such as that depicted in the scenario occur. A copious number of individuals will have ...
This source is an ethnographic study to explore the culture of homelessness in youth. Data for the study were obtained from nineteen homeless adolescents from the northeastern part of the US. Oliveira and Burke (2009) identified some of the cultural features of homeless youth including material possessions such as musical instruments and equipment, relationships with other homeless individuals to create a street family, selling drugs and panhandling as well as a street language. They found that the decision to make the streets their home was a rational option to staying unsafe and harmful home environments.
States obtain many services that fall under mental health care, and that treat the mentally ill population. These range from acute and long-term hospital treatment, to supportive housing. Other effective services utilized include crisis intervention teams, case management, Assertive Community Treatment programs, clinic services, and access to psychiatric medications (Honberg at al. 6). These services support the growing population of people living in the...
According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, 13% of children aged 8 to 15 experience a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. 70% of youth in the juvenile justice system have at least one mental health condition and at least 20% live with a serious mental illness (“Mental Health”). Dr.Jack Westman, a professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin who has been serving more than 50 years to the psychiatric developmental needs of children emphasizes the importance of children’s mental health. Mental health problems among youth are critical because if not treated properly, the problems would exacerbate and cost more to the society. The population of children is decreasing and future society will “not be able to function” if a significant portion of children’s mental health is in danger. In addition, each child with a severe mental health problem cost society $2 million if they become adults without receiving any appropriate mental health problem treatment (Westman). In addition, treating mental illness during the young age before it is exacerbated will be easier and cost-effective