Mental Health and Youth Homelessness

National figures indicate rising incidence of youth homelessness

National figures indicate that the incidence of youth homelessness has been rising in recent years. It is difficult to estimate the precise number of homeless youths in the region, although it is estimated that approximately 1.6 million youths are homeless. More people are becoming aware of the realities of youth homelessness, with young people under the age of 18 sitting on sidewalks and camping in parks with nowhere to call home. Youths from immigrant ethnic groups, care leavers, opioid and alcohol addicts, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, and immigrant communities are most likely to be homeless. Recent research shows that there is a close connection between mental health and the youth people (Buchanan & Maya 19). Emotional issues such as depression and anxiety have constantly increased among the youth and especially the homeless youths over the last few decades.

Close connection between mental health and homeless youth

It is estimated that about 29 % to 50 % of youths experiencing homelessness suffer from mental problems as compared to 8% to 25% of youths living in their homes (Buchanan &Maya 19). The loss of a youth’s home or the lack of a home can bring about stress factors that deplete the youth’s mental health. It’s clear that the homeless youth go through severe forms of adversity considering the change from having a family than losing it at such a tender age. Homeless youth mostly have a history of drug abuse, experiencing drug abuse, childhood sexual and physical abuse and mostly neglect which are closely associated with mental problems. Also, the constant threat to their safety and the fact that the youth with mental problems never seek medical attention all contribute to worse the mental health status of homeless youths.

Work cited

Buchanan, Maya. “Mental health and youth homelessness.” Parity 26.3 (2013): 19.