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An estimated one of every three school-age homeless children has a life-affecting mental disorder; among nonhomeless children, the ratio is one in five. Not surprisingly, aggressive behaviors occur with corresponding frequency in both groups. Not only does homelessness have a detrimental impact on a child's mental health, it contributes directly to emotional and behavioral problems:
- 12 percent of homeless preschoolers and 47 percent of school-age homeless children exhibit signs of anxiety, withdrawal, and other clinical problems.
- 16 percent of homeless preschoolers are severely aggressive and hostile.
- 36 percent of school-age homeless children exhibit delinquent or aggressive behaviors.
Research has shown that homeless children exhibit symptoms of depression more than any other mental illness. Among the common indicators of depression are fatigue, frequent absences from school, poor academic performance, disruptive behavior, boredom, communication problems, sensitivity to criticism, irritability, and social difficulties. Any one of these behaviors could impact a student's academic performance; compounded, such behaviors not only interfere with the student's ability to focus on educational matters, they can also distract classmates and undermine class activities.
Because their lifestyle regularly subjects them to despairing circumstances, homeless students are more at risk of depression than their nonhomeless classmates; consequently, teachers should not only be aware of the symptoms, they must be prepared to contact parents, counselors, and school nurses should a child show signs of mental distress. Depressive disorders among children and adolescents, while frightening and disruptive, can be treated simply and effectively with short-term psychotherapy and medication and can be effectively monitored by open communication between parents and school.
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