Assessing and treating complex mental health needs among homeless youth in a shelter-based clinic

Abstract

Background: Rates of homelessness have been increasing in recent years, thereby necessitating a more direct approach to treating this complex social problem. Homeless youth have disproportionately high rates of untreated mental health problems and are therefore particularly vulnerable to the effects of homelessness during the transition period from adolescence to adulthood. Methods: The study team developed a shelter-based clinic and collected clinical measures on youth who attended this clinic from October 2016 through June 2018. Results: Youth attended an average number of three sessions, but there was a significant drop in follow-up after the first (intake) appointment. Depression, anger, and adjustment disorder emerged as the most common presenting mental health concerns identified by clinicians in the intake appointment, and trauma was identified as a significant complaint for those youth who returned for a second session. Conclusion: Mental health care is needed in this population, but future studies should explore alternative approaches to retaining homeless youth in treatment and in designing targeted trauma-informed interventions.

The syndemic effects of adverse mental health conditions and polysubstance use on being at risk of clinical depression among marginally housed and homeless transitional age youth living in San Francisco, California

“…The literature among TAY and other populations including young adults has also established connections between anxiety, PTSD, drug use and depression, showing how these factors tend to co-occur [ 38 – 42 ]. Given the high prevalence of being at risk of clinical depression among TAY in this study, behavioral treatments including, cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy [ 34 , 43 ] may help treat those with depression and those at risk of developing depression.…”

Substance abuse and violence among homeless youth in Fayoum governorate

“…Youth means those in the transition period from adolescence to young adulthood, roughly ages 16 through 25. Without adequate psychological support, an estimated 50% of transition-age homeless youth continue experiencing housing instability or homelessness into adulthood [3]. According to The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) in 2020 89 % of homeless youth were between the ages of 18 to 24.…”

Scoping Review: Suicide Specific Intervention Programmes for People Experiencing Homelessness

“…For those who are homeless, consistent research reports risk factors for suicidal ideation and behaviors such as excess unemployment [ 11 ], early adverse childhood experiences [ 12 ], substance misuse [ 13 ], and lack of perceived social and emotional support [ 14 ]. Moreover, risk of attempting and completing suicide increases due to stressful life events, chronic physical illnesses, and untreated mental illnesses [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”