Depression Among Homeless Women

A study completed by Folsom (2005), shows a correlation between homelessness and untreated mental health issues in the United States. The research suggests that approximately one-third of the homeless population has a significant mental health diagnosis such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Mental health issues can impact anyone. However, those who remain untreated and have additional risk factors such as lower socioeconomic conditions or substance abuse issues are more likely to become homeless. The research also suggests that men have a higher rate of homelessness than women. In particular, African American men have a higher rate of homelessness than those from other ethnic backgrounds. Veterans are also at-risk for mental health issues that may lead to

One of the root determinants of health and homelessness is poor childhood development. Even before children are born, social determinants of health can have a major impact on them through the mothers who are carrying the children (Davidson, 2015). The health and socioeconomic status of a mother can strongly influence

Issa, Mario, & Mimi. (2007). Effects of Homelessness. Retrieved from Homelessness:

The homeless are impacted far more by everyday issues than those who are not. Often times, homeless children can be sick four times as much as middle class children and have superior rates of acute and recurring illnesses. In addition, they experience emotional and behavioral problems can hinder with learning at almost three times the rate of other children. “Homeless children between 6 and 17 years struggle with high rates of mental health problems. For example, 47% have problems

Homelessness is often accompanied by many other problems such as mental disorders, substance abuse issues, isolation from family and friends, and poor general health. Often time’s people that suffer from homelessness experience a lower quality of life than those who have a place to call home.

The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age (WHO, 2016). This current event relates to the social determinants of health because homelessness has a huge impact on someone’s overall health and quality of life. People who experience homelessness do not have the resources to maintain their health. This can lead to stress, depression, substance abuse, and a number of problems. They are exposed to communicable diseases, malnutrition and many other health issues. Over 500,000 Americans are homeless every night (Kertesz, 2016). This is why we have Health Care for the Homeless programs. The majority of federally funded organizations for the homeless are operated properly. But, there are some

Crisis. 2009. Mental Ill Health in the Adult Single Homeless Population: a review of literature. London

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 have 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 are

According to Homeless Link (2010), homeless people are 4 times more likely to suffer from mental health issues, compared to those with stable accommodation (Homeless Link, 2010). Generally, homelessness can be described as a situation where a person is ejected from his or her home due to economic problems or illness. In addition, homelessness can contribute to the cause of most mental health issues which can sometimes result in homeless people with mental health issues facing extreme forms of social exclusion (The Queen’s Nursing Institute, 2012). Nevertheless, Bhugra (2007) argues that most people who had no mental illness develop mental health issues while homeless because of the trauma and experience associated to homelessness, this can be disempowering and can result in severe isolation. Furthermore, Bhugra (2007) concluded that ‘not all individuals with mental illness are homeless and not all homeless individuals are mentally ill’. Shelter (2007) highlighted the possible link between homelessness and mental health which showed the effects homelessness has on the mental health of homeless people with street sleepers and rough sleepers been severely affected (Shelter, 2007).

The problems of homelessness and mental illness are inextricably intertwined. One way that mental illness impacts people's lives is that it oftentimes renders them unable to carry out the functions of daily life, such as keeping a job, paying their bills, and managing a household. In addition to disrupting the events of daily life, mental illness "may also prevent people from forming and maintaining stable relationships or cause people to misinterpret others' guidance and react irrationally" (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). What this means is that a population that is already vulnerable because of an inability to consistently manage self-care lacks the same safety net as much of the rest of society.

Mental health disorders plague homeless adolescents. According to the authors of "The Characteristics of Mental Health of Homeless Adolescents: Age and Gender Differences", the majority of homeless youth met the medical criteria for more than one mental disorder (Cauce et al., 2000). According to "The Mental and Physical Health of Homeless Youth: A Literature Review" by Jennifer P Edidin, Zoe Ganim, Scott J.Hunter and Niranjan S. Karmik, "The lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders is almost twice as high for homeless youth compared with their housed peers" (Edidin et al., 2011). Evidence suggests that these issues are "bidirectional... That is, homelessness may precipitate or be a consequence of, trauma" (Edidin et al., 2011).

Although homelessness may be difficult and isolating for anyone who experiences it, there are certain adversities specific to women. Whether cisgender or transgender, those who identify as women often have additional hardships when homeless (Shier, Jones, & Graham, 2011). A society in which women are paid 77 cents to a man’s dollar, it is apparent women are seen as the lesser gender and are subject to different difficulties; this is evidenced in multiple studies concerning women experiencing homelessness (David, Rowe & Ponce, 2015; Sayers, 2012; Shier, Jones, & Graham, 2011; Whitbeck, Armenta, & Gentzler, 2015). David, Rowe, Stacheli and Ponce (2015) surveyed homeless women with both mental illnesses and substance abuse problems and 100 percent reported to be victims of physical or sexual assault. Additionally, Shier, Jones, and Graham (2011) studied homeless women who expressed the lack of shelter space for women, and they found many shelters are catered to men only. Another study on intersectionality of homeless women found women experiencing homelessness are three times more likely to have posttraumatic stress disorder than women in the general population (Whitbeck, Armenta, & Gentzler, 2015). Due to these facts, women experiencing homelessness are clearly subject to unique exploitations and vulnerabilities. It is also important to understand that various intersections of race, culture, sexuality, age, and physical and mental health conditions contribute to the severity

Children of many ages are affected by these tremendous problems resulting from homelessness that have just become greater as time has passed. Homelessness leaves long lasting scars on these children (Crary 2). “The burden places upon these people can influence every facet of their lives; from contraception to early adulthood” (Hart-Shegos 2). All stages of life are affected by this experience of homelessness and severe problems can be caused in every stage.

Understanding how both individual and structural factors contribute to and sustain homelessness is a critical factor in successfully addressing homelessness. All to often service providers blame homeless individuals for the circumstances they are in, making assumptions that substance abuse or other irresponsible behaviors have caused the problems leading to the individual to become homeless. Hoffman and Coffey (2008) suggest, “the perpetuation of homelessness is not internal to the homeless individual as many claim, but rather may be embedded in the service industry itself, which subjects both clients and providers to bureaucratic forms of authority and experiences of disrespect.” While not all homeless people suffer from mental illness or substance abuse, all of

Children who are homeless are four times more likely to show traumatic symptoms like, delayed development and have twice the rate of learning disabilities as low-income housed children (Paquette, & Bassuk, 2009) Research suggest that negative effects in childhood trauma are concentrated among those with low income (Yoder, 2014). In addition, poverty has adverse effects on children’s health, development, behavior and mental health through various mediating moderating variables (Bassuk, 2010). Relative to economically advantaged children, those growing up in poverty evidence higher rates of depression, behavioral problems, somatic complaints, and strained peer relationships (Kilmer, Cook, & Strater, 2012).