Adolescence is a crucial time for youth in which they require a supportive and nurturing environment surrounding them. In order to face the difficult struggles and endure the developmental tasks of creating their self-identity to become autonomous adults, youth require a strong support system (Hughes, Clark, Wood, Cakmak, Cox, MacInnis, & Broom 2010). As can be seen, however, there is an increase in youth who have to deal with the utmost hardship in life that is homelessness. In Canada, there are diverse demographics of individuals who are affected by homelessness and face many similar challenges such as poor living conditions and isolation. These hardships are exacerbated when the homeless youth also suffer from mental health issues (Hughes, …show more content…
This is related to the lack of social support networks for homeless youth, which is a social determinant of health that will be later discussed. The reason that this key issue is related to community health is because homelessness creates many obstacles and barriers for the youth (Hughes, et al., 2010). This prevents the new generation from being autonomous and contributing members of society. When living on the street, there is exposure to abuse, poverty, unaffordable housing, and inadequate accessibility for healthcare (Hughes, et al., 2010). If the population continues to be homeless and have mental health problems, then it will further affect the number of people who are active members in society. This, in turn, puts this population at more risk and greater need for health services and social support, as compared to youth who live in more stable environments. Youth homelessness creates an excess of stress, which can potentially further amplify previous mental health illness and encourage anxiety and …show more content…
Reports demonstrate that youth with no homes were more likely than their housed peers to report feeling depressed and exhibit higher rates of self-injurious behaviors such as suicide attempts. This is because homeless youth see the stable environments that their housed peers live in, which causes them more stress and depression (Desjarlais-de Klerk, (2016). Not having a stable home, a shelter to live in, and any form of support when coupled with seeing others who do can be especially detrimental feelings and self-worth (Perlman, Willard, Janette, Herbers, Cutuli, Karin & Garg. 2014). There are several reasons as to why youth become homeless in the first place, such as being victims of violence, abuse, unemployment, and discrimination (Perlman et al., 2014). All these circumstances can affect this population emotionally, physically, and mentally thus lowering down their self-confidence and hope, making it harder to cope with their depression and anxiety (Perlman et al., 2014). Furthermore, at young ages, self-regulation and good cognitive functioning are imperative for a healthy development in youth (Perlman et al., 2014). As such, most of these skills are learned through parenting skills in stable environments; when these skills are taken away, it creates more difficulty for the homeless youth who suffer from mental health issues to
Furthermore, facilities frequently concentrate on “quick-fix” interventions instead of focusing on their qualities that empower them and concentrating on long-term aspirations (Heinze & Jozefowicz-Simbeni, 2009). For the most part, it is extremely hard to access health care for the youth population because they face various restrictions. It is not surprising that many homeless adolescents do not have a way of seeking services even if they are the population that needs it the most. Homeless youth are at a higher risk of adverse outcomes such as not being able to further their education, getting incarcerated, developing a mental health disorder, and engaging in alcohol dependency and unsafe sexual behavior (Heinze & Jozefowicz-Simbeni, 2009). Children without a home are more prone to live in inconsistent and harsh living conditions categorized by family and school issues. Although; many homeless youths do not experience desirable outcomes housing programs and similar services serve a primary support system to help reduce homelessness. Services that promise better living conditions are shown to enhance lifestyles and a positive development into adulthood.
Even with the daily struggle faced by youth in obtaining shelter and homelessness becoming a reality for a growing number of Canadians, Canada, with its high quality of life is one country that has always had a global long-standing reputation. This paper will be working towards giving the reader a better understanding with regards to homeless youth. It will be focusing on the reasons why they leave home, their lives on the street and steps they are trying to take to be able to leave the streets. An important finding from this research suggests, “the street youth population is diverse, complex, and heterogeneous”. According to Karabanow, made up of a number of subcultures including hardcore street-entrenched young people, squatters, group home kids, child welfare kids, soft-core twinkles, runaways, throwaways, refugees and immigrants is the generic term ‘street youth’.
This paper has given the reader a brief overview of homelessness in Australia, in particular, youth homelessness. Social research methods have also been explored, looking at the definition of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods, and the purpose for each. It has been concluded that in order to examine young people’s experiences of homelessness, researchers should focus on qualitative methods of data collection.
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 condition of people who lack regular access to adequate housing. As this condition becomes a growing problem in Canada people are forced to deal with the issues. Who are the homeless? They range from children to adults and even in some cases, families. Why are they homeless? Poverty, lack of jobs or well paying jobs, decline in Social Services, domestic violence, mental illness, and chemical dependency contribute to the majority of the homeless within our society. What effects does being homeless have on members of the family? It contributes to many physical and mental health problems for both parents and their children. Homelessness is a world-wide issue, yet zeroing in on Canada, the majority of the homeless live on the streets of Toronto and Vancouver where they seek shelter anywhere from a park bench to dark alleys. The fact remains that homelessness will always be a problem yet over the years, the number of homeless people has been on the rise and something must be done. Homelessness, specially in families, is a devastating experience. It disturbs nearly all aspects of family life, damaging the physical and emotional health of family members. In addition, it interferes with children's education and development and often results in the separation of family members. It is hard to say exactly who the homeless are because it is usually a temporary circumstance and not a permanent condition. -2- Therefore more appropriate manner of estimating homelessness is to look at the number of people who are currently experiencing homelessness rather than the number of "homeless people". WHO ARE THE HOMELESS Homeless people range anywhere from 11 to 65 years of age. Most studies show that homeless adults are most likely to ...
Homeless Youth: Characteristics, Contributing Factors, and Service Options. Journal Of Human Behavior In The Social Environment, 20(2), 193-217. doi:10.1080/10911350903269831
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...
Many believe that a common thread among the homeless is a lack of permanent and stable housing. But beyond that, the factors leading to homelessness and the services that are needed are unique according to the individual. To put them into one general category ? the homeless- suggests that people are homeless for similar reasons and therefore a single solution is the answer. Every homeless person shares the basic needs of affordable housing, adequate incomes and attainable healthcare. But a wide range of other unmet needs cause some people to become or remain homeless which include drug treatment, employment training, transportation, childcare and mental health services (Center 8.)
Youth become homeless for a number of reasons, including: family violence and neglect, rejection due to sexual orientation or gender identity, the overwhelmed child welfare system and extreme poverty. These youth almost always have experienced unimaginable abuse and trauma, in their homes, their communities, and on the street. It is the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA)-funded services and programs that help to rectify the deep injustices that homeless youth experience on a daily basis.
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.
Mental health disorders and substance use disorders are apparent within the population of individuals who are homeless. Mental health disorders and substance use disorders have varying factors that can cause a person to develop each disorder separately. People can often suffer immensely from each one individually. Mental health and substance use disorders can cause significant distress in the lives of those diagnosed. The opposite can also be said that significant distress can cause mental health and substance use disorders. The difference depends on a number of factors such as genetics, environment, resiliency, gender, and age. However, recovery from homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorders is possible if the right resources are available.
Lee et al. (2010) state living on the streets can increase social instability and drug abuse. These two interferences may ignite or resurface a person’s mental health problem. Roche (2004) says there is a significant relationship between homelessness, mental health, and physical health. A person with a mental health issue may possible neglect their physical health. McMahon (2009) outlines treatment a client who had poor physical, mental health and homelessness. Mental health issues do not predetermine poor physical health, but may be a related factor. Strine et al.(2012) outline studies on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) making connections to mental health issues and substance use while Montgomery, Cutuli, Evan-Chase, Treglia and Culhane (2013) makes a connection between ACE, h...
Hudson, Angela L., and Karabi Nandy. "Comparisons of Substance Abuse, High-risk Sexual Behavior and Depressive Symptons Among Homeless youth with and without a History of Foster Care Placement." EBSCOhost. EBSCO, Oct 2012. Web.11 Dec.2013.
“Homeless is more than being without a home. It is tied into education needs, food, security; health issues both mental and physical, employment issues, etc. Don’t forget the whole picture.” (“Boxed In” 2005 pg. 108)
Many things cause child homelessness such as the nation’s high poverty rate, lack of affordable housing, continuing impacts of the Great Recession, racial discrimination, the challenges of single parenting, and domestic violence or other previous traumatic experiences. Children who experience homelessness are impacted mentally, physically, and emotionally. These children suffer from chronic stress and trauma from frequent moves, inconsistent relationships, lack of social interaction, and witnessing domestic violence and substance abuse. For example, domestic violence and substance abuse witnessed by children will impact them for the rest of their lives. For example, those circumstances can cause families to lose their homes from a lack of money that is going towards drugs.