Homelessness and Mental Illness Flashcards
Responses to homelessness
Housing First (HF) and Treatment First (TF)
Risk factors for homelessness
mental disorders, poverty, substance abuse, trauma history, death of family members, social isolation, disability, and low educational levels
Five common ways adults become homeless
a) a housing crisis that follows severe financial problems such as job loss
b) family breakdown that can be associated with violence and victimization within the family or when one adult partner chooses to leave the family
c) substance abuse that becomes a major problem
d) mental health problems that for individuals younger than the age of 25 can take the form of being forced to leave the family home due to behavioral problems, and for those 25 and older, becoming homeless when parents die and there is no one to provide for the mentally ill individual
e) the “youth-to-adult” pathway to homelessness for those older than 18 that is often attributed to aging out foster home or other type of child protection services or to no longer being willing to accept the restrictions of living at home
most common mental health disorder among homeless mothers
depression
“unaccompanied youth”
Homeless youth younger than the age of 25
Effects of homelessness on children
anxiety, depression, attachment disorder, and behavioral problems
Parenting Through Change (PTC) program
a helpful approach to providing supports to homeless families which is aimed at developing and improving parenting skills
The Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
has had substantial success in housing outcomes but less success in housing outcomes but less success with mental health and substance abuse problems, and some research has found veterans saved by the program continue to abuse substances
Homeless courts
designed to facilitate a positive intervention for the homeless who have been accused of low-level crimes
3 resources that help individuals end homelessness and achieve a stable home
1) related to the characteristics of the homeless individual, such as higher level of education, skill level, and a feeling of empowerment
2) having a sizable and supportive social network available to the individual
3) the availability of economic supports, such as regular income and subsidized housing
Housing First approach
both a philosophical orientation and a working model for providing assistance to the homeless, with the underlying premise that everyone deserves a home
Treatment First Approach
places priority on treating the symptoms of mental illness as well as other problems experienced by the homeless
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010
does not include policies to address mental health and homelessness or public health services for the homeless
10 essentials of the National Alliance to End Homelessness
1) Plan
2) Data
3) Emergency prevention
4) Systems prevention
5) outreach
6) Shorten homelessness
7) Rapid rehousing
8) Services
9) Permanent housing
10) Income
