The relationship between mental health, substance use, and homelessness is complex. An estimated 48%–98% of youth who are homeless meet criteria for at least one mental health diagnosis (Hodgson, Shelton, van den Bree, & Los, 2013). Common disorders include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychosis, substance use disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (Hodgson et al., 2013). Between 69% and 86% meet criteria for a substance use disorder (Medlow, Klineberg, & Steinbeck, 2014). Compared with their housed peers, youth who are homeless have elevated rates of co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders (Hodgson et al., 2013; Kamieniecki, 2001). While mental health disorders and substance misuse can increase the risk of experiencing homelessness, homelessness itself can exacerbate preexisting mental health issues and trigger new psychological symptoms and maladaptive behaviours, such as substance use (Hodgson et al., 2013). Given the limited access that youth who are homeless have to healthy coping mechanisms, substance use may be one of the only ways they have learned to cope with mental health problems and the challenges of homelessness.
- About Homelessness
- Doing Research
- Community Profiles
- Solutions
- Blog
- About Us
The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness- Search
About UsCanadian Observatory on Homelessness
The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is the largest national research institute devoted to homelessness in Canada. The COH is the curator of the Homeless Hub.
x
- Preface
- Foreword
- 1. Approaches & Interventions
- 1.1 Substance Use & Mental Health Interventions for Youth Who Are Homeless: The Community Reinforcement Approach & Motivational Enhancement Therapy
- 1.2 Dialectical Behaviour Therapy to Enhance Emotional Regulation & Resilience Among Street-Involved Youth
- 1.3 Mindfulness Approaches for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- 1.4 Trauma-Informed Care for Street-Involved Youth
- 1.5 Ecologically Based Family Therapy for Adolescents Who Have Left Home
- 1.6 Crisis Response with Street-Involved Youth
- 2. Specific Groups
- 2.1 Supporting Indigenous Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- 2.2 Responding to the Needs of LGBTQ2S Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- 2.3 Engaging with Newcomer Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- 2.4 Anti-Racist Praxis with Street-Involved African Canadian Youth
- 2.5 Ecologically Based Treatment for Mothers Experiencing Homelessness Who Have Children in Their Care
- 2.6 Developing a Trauma-Informed Mental Health Group Intervention for Youth Transitioning out of Homelessness
- 3. Contexts & Considerations
- 3.1 Preventing Burnout Among Service Providers
- 3.2 Responding to mental health concerns on the front line: Building capacity at a crisis shelter for youth experiencing homelessness
- 3.3 Strengths-based outreach & advocacy for non-service-connected youth experiencing homelessness
- 3.4 The individual placement & support model of supported employment for street-involved youth with mental illness
- 3.5 Beautiful trouble: Possibilities in the arts with street-involved youth
- 3.6 Peer support work to enhance services for youth experiencing homelessness
- 3.7 The digital lives of youth who are homeless: Implications for intervention, policy, and services
- 3.8 Partnerships that support mental health intervention for street-involved youth
- 3.9 Resilience-based mental health intervention for street children in developing countries
- 4. Assessment & Evaluation
- Mental Health & Addictions Interventions for Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Practical Strategies for Front-line Providers
- 1. Approaches & Interventions
- 1.1 Substance Use & Mental Health Interventions for Youth Who Are Homeless: The Community Reinforcement Approach & Motivational Enhancement Therapy