Homelessness And Mental Health And Substance Abuse

Homelessness as a result of deinstitutionalization in the US increased dramatically, tripling in 182 cities over the court of the 1980s (Bagenstos, 2012). In addition, mental health and substance abuse is a major problem in across the country because of homelessness. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,20 to 25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from some form of severe mental illness (DMHAS, 2014). Consequently, mental illnesses disrupt people’s ability to carry out key aspects of daily life, such as self-care and household responsibilities. As a result of these factors and the stresses of living with a mental disorder, people with mentally illnesses are much more likely to become homeless than the general population (Karger, Stoesz, 2014). Even if homeless individuals with mental illnesses are provided with housing, they are unlikely to achieve residential stability and remain off the streets unless they hav e access to continued treatment and services. In Connecticut there are a number of housing options that are in place like supportive housing. Research has shown that supported housing is effective for people with mental illnesses (DMHAS, 2014). Unfortunately, in Connecticut, lack of funding is a significant barrier to the successful implementation of supported housing programs. Because of homelessness people cycle between street corner, jail cell and hospital beds, in addition the homeless who areShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at Homelessness893 Words   |  4 PagesColumbia, Canada. This community, around King George SkyTrain station, is a densely populated area. In this community, there are a large number of homeless individuals. In homeless population, mental illness commonly present in the forms of schizophrenia, depression, personality disorders, substance abuse, and other affective disorders. According to Metro Vancouver Homeless Count, there are â€Å"400 homeless people in Surrey, representing 15% of the regions 2650 homeless† (City of Surrey, n.d, â€Å"2014†)Read MoreThe Plan For Eradicating Homelessness1203 Words   |  5 Pageshousing services, funding dedicated to eradicating homelessness in Seattle should go towards increasing the availability and accessibility of supportive services such as substance abuse and mental health programs. In 2005, The Committee to End Homelessness in King County (CEHKC) began its implementation of â€Å"A Roof Over Every Bed in King County: Our Community s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. This plan outlined strategies to end and prevent homelessness with a focus on increasing permanent housingRead MoreCauses Of Homelessness1405 Words   |  6 Pageswe must understand their mental health and behavioral needs. The information they all share in common are the factors why a specific type of population became homeless. The interrelation of homelessness and mental illness are informed by many factors such as; the lack of support, extreme poverty, substance abuse, lack of affordable health insurance, and lack of affordable housing. The homeless population shares different struggles when dealing with homelessness and mental illnesses because there areRead MoreThe Effects Of Homeless Conditions, Drug Abuse, And Mental Illness1464 Words   |  6 Pages A study of the Impact a Correlation of Homeless conditions, Drug Abuse, and Mental illness has on the Health and Wellbeing of Individuals Robin Mullineaux Salt Lake Community College Abstract This paper utilizes five peer reviewed articles for the purpose of identifying the interconnections between psychiatric conditions, self-medication and Homelessness. Depending on the severity of the psychiatric disorder, circumstances can lead to a homeless situation or nomadic lifestyle. ItRead MoreThe Homelessness And Substance Abuse1436 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: DIVERSITY​1 Diversity: Homelessness and substance abuse Centell Brown Kelley Peterson SW- 751 Perspectives/Chemical Dependency Professor R. Chaisson, PhD., LCSW, BACS Southern University at New Orleans December 10, 2014 Abstract ​Homelessness and substance abuse are often two problems that continue to be linked together. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (2011), research conducted in the past five years indicates thatRead MoreHomeless Population Of New South Wales1444 Words   |  6 PagesOverview â€Å"In a country as prosperous as Australia, no one should have to be homeless.† - The Road Home, 2008 Homelessness is a complex problem and not simply a lack of housing. It has numerous causes that affect different groups differently. In Australia, there are approximately 105000 people experiencing homelessness reported in the 2011 census. This equates to one in every two hundred people. The homeless population of New South Wales accounts for over one quarter of the total in Australia,Read MoreHomeless Research Paper1487 Words   |  6 Pagesmillion people experience homelessness in the US every year (NCH,1). But what is homelessness? Jim Baumohl, a noted author, explained in Homelessness in America, the most common definition of homelessness used by researchers is the â€Å"absence of belonging to a specific place or to people† (NCH, 3). However, there is no set definition, due to the variety of living conditions a homeless person encounters, and the opinions of the researchers. As Baumohl pointed out, â€Å"homelessness is but the latest of manyRead MoreHomelessness : Hom eless Population, Origins And Consequences Of Homelessness1373 Words   |  6 PagesHomelessness Some background information on the prevalence of and risk factors for the homeless population, origins and consequences of homelessness, prevention and treatment strategies, and other considerations will be presented. The definition of homelessness may cover a broad range of individuals, including those physically deprived of a home and housed persons unwilling to remain in their homes (Ravenhill 6). Some researchers conceptualize homelessness as â€Å"alienation from the rest of the societyRead MoreHomelessness : A Community Health Issue967 Words   |  4 Pages One major community health issue that is prominent in society is homelessness. According to Canadian Observatory on Homelessness (2012), homelessness describes the situation of an individual or family who are unstable and cannot afford appropriate and permanent housing. They are unable to acquire suitable shelter due to possible reasons, such as financial issues, mental or physical challenges and discrimination. Most people do not choose to be homeless; however, when individuals are set to liveRead MoreTheu.s. Housing And Urban Development Essay1461 Words   |  6 Pagesservices living on the street (2016). The main causes of homelessn ess among veterans include lack of housing, jobs, and access to healthcare (National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, n.d.). Veterans run a higher risk of becoming homeless if they are: suffering from a mental illness or substance abuse problem; do not have a support system; or have a disability (Ainslie Cooper, 2016). Nature and Scope A homeless veteran homelessness is defined as a U.S. service members, with an honorable discharge