Literature Review As proven in academic articles, the homeless population is exponentially high worldwide. While there are many factors that may be contributing to this problem, one of the biggest may be mental health problems. Whether it is the cost of treating a mental health problem or the nature of the mental health disorder itself, it seems to lead to being low-income or homeless. While there are some studies out there that have studied this phenomenon, there is still a great need for information related to mental health causing homelessness. This idea has led to the formation of this research project, which is searching for a correlation between mental health and the homeless or low-income population in order to understand it better …show more content…
Jenkins, Baingana, Ahmad, McDaid, and Atun (2011) explained the social, economic, human rights, and political challenges to global mental health. They utilized available studies to explain the relationship between mental health, poverty, and debt, the need for more health economics research on cost-effective interventions, policy and practice, and the role of mental health services in primary care. In summary, they explained that mental disorders impose a significant economic burden in high, middle, and low-income countries causing poverty to be both a determinant and a consequence of poor mental health. Inequalities in mental health are pervasive and may explain the poverty phenomenon. Mental health care needs to be more accessible especially for the low-income population. Cost effective techniques need to be researched in order to make this happen but the current research suggests that policy development and revision globally, as well as, primary care-led mental health system are what is needed to improve the mental health sector. Ngui, Khasakhala, Ndetei, and Roberts (2010) also discussed available research on the inequalities in treatment for mental disorders. They thoroughly discussed the pervasive occurrence of mental disorders and …show more content…
This is extremely important to know in order to treat these problems the appropriate way. While some solutions were suggested for these problems further research needs to be completed before a best practice intervention can be attained. Given the alarmingly high number of homelessness with mental health conditions, this issue cannot be ignored. This study will help bring about more information on this topic in order to better understand in order to be able to investigate a
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Show More“3.5 million people will experience homelessness in a given year,”(Los Angeles Homeless Services). This shocking number is one of the sad truths in today’s society. Homelessness is caused by a wide range of things including financial issues. The life of a homeless person is hard and comes with set-backs and the constant need to overcome them. Homeless people go through many challenges in surviving without a home. They can suffer from health issues, hunger, and poor emotional well-being.
National Coalition for the Homeless. (2006). NCH Mental Illness and Homelessness. Retrieved from NCH: http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts/Mental_Illness.pdf
Homelessness nationwide is on the rise, and the mentally ill play a larger role more than we realize. It is no secret that homelessness can be a controversial issue, however what is clear is that mental illness places people at a ...
Over the years it has become a national common characteristic of the entire nation. Not only does homelessness effect an individual’s health and well- being, but it effects society as a whole. Due to the fact that many people who are without shelter or everyday necessities tend to be looked upon as thieves, and criminals who are labeled as sick and mentally ill. Many states who claim majority to be men. It is documented that 1/3rd of the homeless population has been issued to suffer from some sort of mental illness. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration mental illness was ruled as the third largest root to homelessness for many single adults. The hypothesis was conclude after a survey was collected in 2008, it showed that in 25 cities around 1/8th of cities claim that mental illness is ranked to be the peak to homelessness and 38 % suffer from alcohol and numbers increase when it comes to alcohol abuse. In most case these single adults who suffer from mental illness are not able to maintain house hold management. Those who are of urban landscape show a greater number of homeless who reside in that current state. That means that there are roughly around 62.9 % of people who suffer from mental health are documented for treatment and out of that percentage around 26 % mental individual make of the individuals staying in shelters and the rest of the individuals find themselves partaking in the street life. And then there are those who go
Homelessness is when a person is living on the streets, in a shelter or has no permanent address. Some factors leading up to mental disorder in relation to homelessness are job loss and no income to pay rent. Disabled people may be unable to work or find appropriate employment. There’s also a struggle for disabled people to obtain and maintain stable housing. Severe depression is another contributing factor leading up to mental disorder because individuals are unable to maintain a stable life. There’s a link between homelessness and poverty. When there is a lack of income individuals/families are forced to choose between housing, food, childcare, healthcare, and means of transportation to get to and from work, their children’s daycare, grocery store and the Laundromat. They are also forced to choose between which utility bills they can afford to pay or would be more beneficial to them and their family. Individuals/families with lack of a high school diploma are also associated with homelessness. Other factor that’s associated with causes of homelessness are domestic violence, legal issues, barriers for people of color, lack of community support and institutional discharge, such as release from prisons, jails and hospitals without any place ...
Homelessness among the aging population is a significant problem in the United States. Not only is it a problem for older people who are homeless, but it also puts as strain on social agencies and the community in general. Homelessness has been shown to lead to other problems such as increased risk for disease, violence, and early death. This paper will explore the underlying values that make society view homelessness as a social problem, its effect on the persons with the problem, and on their family and community as well as ways that community and government organizations are attempting to combat the problem of homelessness amongst older adults.
In this essay, the terms homelessness and mental illness will be defined. The cause of mental illness and that of homelessness will also be explored using different academic literature. The relationship between mental illness and homelessness will also be exploited using academic research materials to answer the question “Is a relationship between mental health and homelessness?”
According to the World Health Organization, the relationship between mental health and poverty is particularly important: the poor and the deprived have a higher prevalence of disorders, including substance abuse. Society does not take well to poverty especially to individuals living in poverty that have a mental illness. In some instances, mental illness can be a cause for individuals living in poverty. When individuals cannot afford health insurance how are they going to afford medication for the
This essay will discuss the health problems and health service issues that are associated with homelessness. Homelessness is an increasing concern as a public health issue in many western countries. This is mainly influenced by social factors which affects 100 million worldwide. (Badiaga, 2008). The legal definition of homelessness is associated with the right to a home, irrespective of the home condition and includes sleeping rough and sofa-surfing (Wilson and Mabhala, 2013). The 2002 Homelessness Act recommend the importance for housing authorities to assess and structure strategy for the homeless with different agencies involved to tackle problems such as employment, health, educational achievements and opportunities, also
Doll, Helen, Fazel, Seena, Geddes, John, and Khosla, Vivek. (2008). “The Prevalence of Mental Disorders Homeless in Western Countries: Review and meta-regression.” PLoS Med 5(12): e225
Gerhard Buchkremer, “Prevalence of mental illness among homeless men in the community,” Original Paper Journal 40 (October 2004): 385, EBSCO Academic Search Premier (accessed February 29, 2012).
After reviewing the literature, this author pinpointed several environmental, individual, and agent factors, which make up the epidemiologic triad, contribute to the topic of mental health in the homeless.
Although homelessness and mental illness are two separate experiences, they have similar starts. Those that suffer from infantile misfortune are probable to becoming homeless by the time they are adults and could have physical or mental health difficulties (Montgomery et al. S265). Having a history of abuse, being a woman, and long periods of homelessness are big factors in the development of a mental illness (Helfrich et al. 116). The victimization state of mind experienced by many homeless is detrimental in why they cannot cope with their current situation. This also means that they could focus too much on one thing and become hysterical or paranoid. Witnessing a traumatic event is increased by homelessness and is more likely to cause mental disorders (qtd. in Helfrich et al. 116). Illnesses like PTSD are linked directly to the victim seeing a traumatic scene (Helfrich et al...
Historically, mental health issues and homelessness have been viewed as separate issues which have been individually funded by states and cities. As more is learned about the statistical link and the apparent connection between the lack of mental health services and homelessness, more attention is being commanded to address this issue as one.
If more clinics were to be established specializing in the mental health of the homeless, then the attention could be given to them that they need. E. Fuller Torrey, author of “The Homeless Mentally Ill Should Be Forced To Receive Treatment” describes the habits and reasons for the incredible amount of mentally ill homeless: