Homelessness

Homelessness

  • Submitted By: anasanw
  • Date Submitted: 10/31/2013 2:04 PM
  • Category: Psychology
  • Words: 1027
  • Page: 5
  • Views: 98

National Coalition for the Homeless
2201 P Street, NW Washington, DC 20037-1033 http://www.nationalhomeless.org Tel. 202-462-4822 Fax. 202-462-4823 Email. info@nationalhomeless.org

Mental Illness and Homelessness
Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, July 2009

PREVALENCE 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. In comparison, only 6% of Americans are severely mentally ill (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009). In a 2008 survey performed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 25 cities were asked for the three largest causes of homelessness in their communities. Mental illness was the third largest cause of homelessness for single adults (mentioned by 48% of cities). For homeless families, mental illness was mentioned by 12% of cities as one of the top 3 causes of homelessness. RELATIONSHIP TO HOMELESSNESS Serious mental illnesses disrupt people’s ability to carry out essential aspects of daily life, such as self care and household management. Mental illnesses may also prevent people from forming and maintaining stable relationships or cause people to misinterpret others’ guidance and react irrationally. This often results in pushing away caregivers, family, and friends who may be the force keeping that person from becoming homeless. 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 (Library Index, 2009). A study of people with serious mental illnesses seen by California’s public mental health system found that 15% were homeless at least once in a one-year period (Folsom et al., 2005). Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are particularly vulnerable. Poor mental health may also affect physical health, especially for people who are homeless. Mental illness may...

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