Prevalence and Risk Factors of Mental Health in Homeless population Homelessness remains a persistent public mental health concern. According to Folsom (2005) between one-fourth and one-third of the homeless population have a severe mental illness (Folsom, D. P., Hawthorne, W., Lindamer, L., et al., p. 370, 2005). Homelessness comes with a heavy burden including, risk of assault, low quality of life, and early death (Folsom et al., p. 370, 2005). Although the percentage of mental and physical illnesses is high among homeless individuals, their access to health services is non-existent (Folsom et al., p. 370, 2005). Homeless people often do not have a continuous source of health care, and the daily struggle for shelter and food can
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(2005) concluded that the prevalence of homelessness due to a mental illness was 15 percent. This study included 10,340 patients who were treated for mental illnesses such as, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Methods such as analytic analyses, multivariate logistic regression analyses, and odd ratios were used to determine variables, ratios for factors associated with homelessness and mental health, and utilization of mental health services used by homeless individuals (Folsom et al., p. 372, 2005). Research also indicates that there are a significant number of formerly homeless families residing in permanent supportive housing that have caregivers with mental health disorders due to homelessness, which can lead to the exposure of violence, abuse and out-of-home placement for children (Gewirtz p.357, 2007). These factors can place children at risk for adverse psychological outcomes which can include late homelessness (Gewirtz p.356, …show more content…
375, 2005). It is clear that homelessness affects a great portion of individuals with serious mental illnesses, and people with a mental illness are at a higher risk for homelessness than the general population (Gewirtz p.357, 2007). Folsom et al. (2005) has also suggested that specific psychiatric diagnosis confirm different levels of risk factors for homelessness (Folsom et al., p.376, 2005). The majority of the homeless individuals who participated in the study were more than likely young men who were either Caucasian or African American. The level of education and the age of the individuals were not factors with homelessness. Homelessness is a serious problem among patients with severe mental illness and individuals from different backgrounds, ethnicities, age and sex can experience it (Gewirtz p.359,
(2005) concluded that the prevalence of homelessness due to a mental illness was 15 percent. This study included 10,340 patients who were treated for mental illnesses such as, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Methods such as analytic analyses, multivariate logistic regression analyses, and odd ratios were used to determine variables, ratios for factors associated with homelessness and mental health, and utilization of mental health services used by homeless individuals (Folsom et al., p. 372, 2005). Research also indicates that there are a significant number of formerly homeless families residing in permanent supportive housing that have caregivers with mental health disorders due to homelessness, which can lead to the exposure of violence, abuse and out-of-home placement for children (Gewirtz p.357, 2007). These factors can place children at risk for adverse psychological outcomes which can include late homelessness (Gewirtz p.356, …show more content…
375, 2005). It is clear that homelessness affects a great portion of individuals with serious mental illnesses, and people with a mental illness are at a higher risk for homelessness than the general population (Gewirtz p.357, 2007). Folsom et al. (2005) has also suggested that specific psychiatric diagnosis confirm different levels of risk factors for homelessness (Folsom et al., p.376, 2005). The majority of the homeless individuals who participated in the study were more than likely young men who were either Caucasian or African American. The level of education and the age of the individuals were not factors with homelessness. Homelessness is a serious problem among patients with severe mental illness and individuals from different backgrounds, ethnicities, age and sex can experience it (Gewirtz p.359,