Effect of Homelessness on Mental Health - Research Paper

Introduction

People with cases of untreated mental health are estimated to comprise one-third of the homeless population in the US. Major cities such as New York and San Diego comprise of the homeless people who have been accepted as part of the urban landscape and make up the large part of the critically mentally ill people on the streets (Treatmentadvocacycenter, 2016). The woods in the outskirts of the cities, train subways and tunnels make a home for some of the psychiatrically ill. According to Gittelman (2005), homelessness shelters, as well as psychiatric wards, are dominated by the mentally ill homeless people. According to a report generated by Treatmentadvocacycenter (2016) on serious mental disorders and homelessness, the stake off of homelessness was realized in the 20th century as due to the closure of mental hospitals without a prior replacement plan. The deductions of the report showed a rising trend in the number of homeless people in both small and large towns. In Roanoke and Virginia, a 363% increase was realized in between 1987 and 2007 with which 70% of the population was receiving mental medical attention (Treatmentadvocacycenter, 2016).

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In reference to the study by Gittelman (2005), on the on the neglected disaster of homelessness and mental illness, the mentally ill cause deterioration of relationships as well as pushing away caregivers, friends and family which result in high chances of becoming homeless. According to a study carried out by the public mental health system of California on prevalence and risk factors for homelessness indicated that 15% of the people in the facilities had been homeless in a particular time in a year (Folsom et al., 2005). In reference to the findings by Gittelman (2005) on the study of the neglected disaster, 20-25% of the mentally ill population in the US are homeless. National Institute of Mental Health (2009), carried out research on the causes of mental illness (McMurray-Avila, 2001). The findings of the study ranked homelessness third on the key causes of mental illness in single adults. According to the report by the Nickasch & Marnocha, (2009) on the experiences of the homeless in terms of health care, the recovery process of mentally ill people does not have the lasting effect on patients who get back to the streets due to homelessness.

According to a report generated by Hart-Shegos (1999) on homelessness effects on children, stressful and traumatic events confront homeless children. The report indicated that the stress and traumatic experiences are contributed by constant changes (Hart-Shegos, 1999). A review by Eberlie et al., (2011) showed that the 71% of homeless women fall victims of mental illness as compared to 52% of men who are affected. Schizophrenia along with other severe cases of psychiatric disorders among the homeless women population (Eberlie et al., 2011). Some cases indicate homelessness as a trigger for mental illness while others show mental illness as a trigger to homelessness. Additionally, homelessness increases the severity of mental illness due to increased stress and traumatic experiences. On the contrary, mental illness increases the homelessness periods.

According to a report by the National Network for Youth on the consequences of the youth homelessness, half of the unaccompanied homeless youth record mental health problems. Mental health problems are predictors of chronic homelessness. According to the findings of the report on homeless youths, mental problems come in different forms with the adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression and declined self-esteem (Burrows et al., 2013). Mental health problems are accelerated by longer periods of rough sleeping on the streets and poor conditions. According to a national survey, single homeless people experience worse states of mental health problems compared to the other population (Edidin et al., 2012). According to a study by Eberle et al. (2001), on the connections between homelessness and health, homeless mothers of children aged below four years is triggered by socioeconomic status. With regards to the findings of the study, homeless families with mental illness experience long-term effects of homelessness in comparison to non-mentally-ill families.

According to Whitbeck (2017), homelessness brings about collective and individual effects to a different group of people. Psychiatric ailments are brought out as the key risk factors associated with homelessness with severe mental disorders emerging as the risk factors rather than a consequence for homelessness. According to England (2007), homeless people are vulnerable to mental disorders as compared to the other population. According to Burrows et al. (2013) homelessness and mental illness exhibit bidirectional connections. The detrimental factor among the homeless is lack of treatment and professional attention. According to a study by Ravenhill (2016), homelessness results into anxiety, depression, poor living conditions and insecurity which increase chances of mental illness. Youths are the most affected by the consequences of homelessness recording a rise in the total homeless population with mental disorders (England, 2007). Adolescents are highly affected by depression and anxiety which impact on higher chances on the onset of mental disorders. Bhui et al. (2006) pointed out the lack of adequate care among the homelessness in his qualitative study on the adequacy of care accorded to the homeless community. The study findings outlined that lack of care of the homeless increases the psychotic effects on the homeless individuals.

References

Bhui, K., Shanahan, L., & Harding, G. (2006). Homelessness and mental illness: a literature review and a qualitative study of perceptions of the adequacy of care. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 52(2), 152-165.

Burrows, R., Pleace, N., & Quilgars, D. (2013). Homelessness and social policy. Routledge.

Eberle, M., Kraus, D., Serge, L., & Hulchanski, D. (2001). The Relationship Between Homelessness and the Health, Social Services and Criminal Justice Systems: A Review of the Literature. Vancouver: British Columbia Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security.

Edidin, J. P., Ganim, Z., Hunter, S. J., & Karnik, N. S. (2012). The mental and physical health of homeless youth: A literature review. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 43(3), 354-375.

England, S. (2007). Homelessness Fact sheet.

Folsom, D.P., Hawthorne, W., Lindamer, L., Gilmer, T., Bailey, A., Golshan, S., Garcia, P., Unutzer, J., Hough, R., and Jeste, D.V. "Prevalence and Risk Factors for Homelessness and Utilization of Mental Health Services Among 10,340 Patients With Serious Mental Illness in a Large Public Mental Health System." American Journal of Psychiatry, 162:370-376. Feb. 2005.

Gittelman, M. (2005). The Neglected Disaster: Homelessness and Mental Illness. International Journal of Mental Health, 34(2), 9-21. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/41345126

Hart-Shegos, E. (1999). Homelessness and Its Effects on Children: A Report Prepared for the Family Housing Fund. Internet], http://www. fhfund. org/Research,(Minneapolis, MN: Family Housing Fund.

Nickasch, B., & Marnocha, S. K. (2009). Healthcare experiences of the homeless. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 21(1), 39-46.

Ravenhill, M. (2016). The culture of homelessness. Routledge.Treatmentadvocacycenter, (2016). Serious Mental Illness and Homelessness. Treatment Advocacy Center. Retrieved from http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/backgrounders/smi-and-homelessness.pdf

Whitbeck, L. B. (2017). Nowhere to grow: Homeless and runaway adolescents and their families. Routledge.