Answer: While the socio-economic factors that lead to homelessness vary in nature and degree from country to country, psycho-emotional trauma remains a constant byproduct of the lifestyle. Both Great Britain and Northern Ireland, for example, have high numbers of homeless children. As in the United States, many of these children have untreated mental disorders that are exacerbated by their homelessness or are caused by it.
A 2000 study conducted by the Mental Health Foundation determined that, while mental illness is prevalent among homeless children and youth throughout the United Kingdom, services are insufficient. The Foundation assessed the mental health of young people between the ages of 11 and 25. As identified by the study, mental illness ranged from distress to severe mental disorder; the causal relationship between physical health and emotional well-being was also studied. Similar to U.S. findings, the reasons for homelessness among this group included family breakdown, forced or voluntary departure from the family home, loss of housing, drug and alcohol dependency, and criminal activity. The study determined that young males are twice as likely to become homeless as females, that girls are more often afflicted with mood disorders such as depression, and that boys are more susceptible to substance abuse. Not surprisingly, the study found that homelessness is detrimental to young people's "health and life chances," leading to poor mental and physical health, risk-taking behaviors such as self-neglect, self-abuse, suicide, irresponsible sexual practices, substance use, and criminal activity. Homeless youths are at a greater risk of being a crime victim, of forfeiting their education, and of being excluded from employment opportunities and social support-all of which negatively impact their self-image and undermine their social integration.
A May 2003 article posted on the IrishHealth.com website supports these conclusions, declaring that the Irish government is unable to provide satisfactory services for the 42% of the country's homeless population believed to have mental health problems. Lacking community support and government-sponsored housing, homeless adults and children with mental illness must turn to homeless emergency shelters (often rooms at appointed Bed and Breakfasts) that are ill equipped to provide the care they require.
Citing the findings of a recent Amnesty International study on Ireland's homeless crisis, the article asserts that homeless services in general are seriously lacking and that mental health care is inadequate for this population. Amnesty International maintains that the Irish government has failed to uphold "international human rights standards and to implement the recommendations of a series of national and international reports on the mental health services." The group calls for reforms in the Department of Health's mental health policy and renewed commitments by all stakeholders, including homeless agencies and service providers.
The United Kingdom, like the United States, urgently needs increased, widely available services for all homeless children that address basic needs such as housing, medical and mental health care, nutrition and medication, clothing and supplies, vocational training, and educational assistance. As has always been the case, children represent a nation's future; to ensure the country's long-term health and prosperity, government and citizens alike must first invest in the health and prosperity of their children.
From The Mental Health Needs of Homeless Children and Young People (www.communitycare.co.uk/eshots/campaign.pdf)
www.irishhealth.com/?level=4&id=4907
