Homeless YouthsThe National Alliance To End Homelessness estimates that "during a year approximately 550,000 unaccompanied, single youth and young adults up to age 24 experience a homelessness episode of longer than one week. Approximately 380,000 of those youth are under the age of 18" ("Youth"). This is about equal to 39% of the homeless population. About 5,000 of these youths under 18 die each year on the streets due to assault, suicide, or illness. So, why are there so many young people out on the streets? According to a survey conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services, "46% of homeless youth left their home because of physical abuse. 17% left because of sexual abuse" ("11 Facts About Homeless Teens"). 50% of youths in shelters and on the streets also reported either their parents had told them to leave or didn't care whether they had left or not.
The Mentally Ill and Homelessness |
Within a one year period, 15% of the mentally ill were homeless at least once according to a study conducted by California's public mental health system. That may not seem like a huge percentage, but only 6% of Americans suffered from severe mental illnesses. In July 2009, the National Coalition for the Homeless said "20 to 25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from some form of severe mental illness" ("Mental Illness and Homelessness"). There are also many homeless people in shelters that suffer from severe mental illnesses. In January 2010, "26.2% of all sheltered persons who were homeless had a severe mental illness" (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Of the people who were chronically homeless, over 60% experienced lifetime mental health problems according to the NSHAPC. As shown by the previous information, you can see there are many homeless people suffering from mental illnesses. Some mental illnesses like depression are caused by the stress of being homeless. Other mental illnesses like schizophrenia are the cause of people becoming homeless.
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