Mental Illness Homelessness and Evidence Based Practice
Ashley Beverly
Stephen F. Austin State University Abstract
The Coalition of Evidence-Based Practice has conducted research to test the effectiveness implemented interventions in various settings. Homelessness has been observed as a result of mentally ill clients being discharged from institutional settings (e.g. hospitals, prisons, and more). Although studies continue to change it has been found that Americans homeless rate in 2008 for individuals was around 740,000 (Fazel, Kohsla, Doll, and Geddes, 2008). This paper will explore the outcomes of this evidence based research and whether the intervention implemented proved to be effective or ineffective.
Mental Illness
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Although the efficiency of this intervention has been verified there are some limitations to the outcome of the study. In this study there were similarities in the demographic of the test studies, so when measuring the effectiveness were limitations due to this. Another limitation that is notable is the fact that there were some residents who were excluded from the study which impacted the outcome slightly. A second limitation is that a more long term follow up of the outcome of this study should occur since 18 months is too soon to measure the long term effectiveness of this study. As the strengths based perspective is considered there are several strengths to this study. For instance, in some studies conducted by the CTI families were used as a test sample. This implies that this method of intervention can be used in various settings, to include the rural setting. Another strength in this study is that it allows samples to reestablish support from their families and other important systems. With the samples family or support system being involved there is a possibility that recurrence of homelessness can be minimized. Since this study has such a largely improved outcome a critique might be for researchers to conduct a similar …show more content…
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The most workable solution to ending homelessness must have more involvement and more input from the homeless; an individual invested in his or her own treatment is more likely to succeed in exiting homelessness, remaining housed, and becoming a productive member of a community. The Individual Needs approach uses the best practices from other models to help a greater number of people while continuing to utilize government, community, and humanitarian homeless services now in place. This approach emphasizes personal responsibility, independence, and self-reliance. There will always be individuals with disabilities who will need a Housing First approach if they become chronically homeless; this meets their individual needs. A Continuum of Care approach will continue to fit the individual needs of those who are homeless due to abuse, or homeless families. These groups make up about 40 percent of the homeless population (Henry 4).
More and more people become homeless every day. According to the National Alliance to End Homeless “January 2014, 578,424 people were experiencing homelessness: meaning they were sleeping outside or in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.” “In 2014, in North Carolina there were 11,491 homeless of which 2,617 is unsheltered.” “The adult population using homeless assistance programs consists mostly of men by themselves (61 percent). Another 15 percent are women by themselves, 15 percent are households with children, and 9 percent are people with another adult but not with children.”
Homelessness occurs due to various reasons when individuals are not able to secure a stable, safe place to live in. It could be physical impairment that led to mental dysfunctions; or vice versa. As clinical psychologists, our aim is to reduce homelessness among the mental ill by repairing the functioning of each patient. Thus, we could guide the mental ill to reclaim their self-worth, contribute to the society, while provide for themselves.
Whalley is located in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. This community, around King George SkyTrain station, is a densely populated area. In this community, there are a large number of homeless individuals. In homeless population, mental illness commonly present in the forms of schizophrenia, depression, personality disorders, substance abuse, and other affective disorders. According to Metro Vancouver Homeless Count, there are “400 homeless people in Surrey, representing 15% of the region's 2650 homeless” (City of Surrey, n.d, “2014”). This problem has been present for many years and there are still people suffering from the basic lack of proper housing. Moreover, it is ought to be noted that “the population is virtually unchanged since the last count … in 2008” (City of Surrey, n.d, “2014”). The city of surrey, due to increased federal funding has been able to funnel resources and funding to accelerate actions related to this problem in mental health. As the result, city of Surrey has been able to work with B.C housing to build more affordable homes for homeless individuals and “ establishing the homeless and housing fund” (City of Surrey, n.d, “2014”). These programs will help individuals to find affordable housing to call home, but the core problem related to mental health illnesses is still a vibrant problem among homeless individuals. For my Photo Voice project, I decided to focus on homeless problem in this community in a hope of raising awareness about the mental
The homelessness of adults, teenagers, and occasionally small children is something that is seen in large cities on a daily basis. Homelessness in teenagers is a growing issue and makes a person wonder what reasons a teenager has become homeless? Teenagers are becoming increasingly homeless because of family situations that are out of control. From thirteen years old to seventeen years old they must feel safe and secure at home. Parents are there to help their children and protect them, but they don’t always succeed. Teenagers are unaware of the options they have for getting out of a harmful situation, yet homelessness has its dangers too.
I argue that Charlie is wrong in this thinking. The notion that he is raising is exactly the type of selfish and closed minded way of thinking that sets back the progress in solving the issue of poverty and homelessness in America. In fact, a study taken in 2015 gathered that with more interaction and willingness to help the homeless, the more empathy and compassion is gained for them, later resulting in a larger contribution from society creating a social change. I obtained this information based on a survey taken by Lindsay Phillips, a physiologist, that took it upon herself to ask working, undergraduate college students to describe their perceptions of homelessness, willingness to get involved, and ideas towards a solution. In this survey it is found that a good majority of people do see a problem of homelessness and poverty, and are willing to do their part in order to help. In addition, it was found that by volunteering to make a change, the stigma of social distance between the homeless and the general public gradually shortens. This is said in the survey report stating, “Findings seem to indicate that it may be possible to demonstrate stigma toward a population, yet still have a desire to help that population (as indicated by participants seeing the validity of a number of solutions to homelessness and because 82.61% of participants expressed willingness to volunteer to help this population)…For example, results indicated that very few participants would remain
The aim of this research is to explore how the place is experienced in a community health clinic for people who are going through homelessness. Individuals who are going through homelessness is in crucial need of health-promoting areas or space. This study was done in a community health center in Ontario. The center involved its focus on a health clinic for individuals who are going through homelessness. The clinic gives health and social services, which composes of a physician, a nurse practitioner, three nurses, a community worker, two administrative staff, and two social workers. These medical professionals came together and provided services to homeless individuals from those on the stress to those who live in the homeless shelter. The
The experience of living in poverty and being homeless can have serious and lasting impact on young people and families. Children’s Society report in 2010 states that young people and families who are destitute are surviving in appalling conditions and are made vulnerable to exploitation because they do not have adequate support, access to basic essentials and a safe place to live. They rely on friends for food and a place to stay and they experience significant health problems. Some young people and families who are destitute expose themselves to enormous physical and psychological risk by engaging in transactional and commercial sex work as survival strategies.
1. I think that the degree of a lie directly correlates with it's ability to hurt something. Sometimes we may need to lie just to get through the day. A lie that you tell your friend may hurt them less than the truth. Such as, if you do not want to have lunch, so you tell them that you had previous plans. However, if you tell a malicious lie, then you will hurt someone.
The invisible student primarily focuses on a muscular afro american boy named Ambrose. Who also has a similar background to thousands of other kids which have “fled” from their parents' houses because of a controversy with them were in Ambrose case he left because of his mother. The consciences were that he had to tackle insurmountable responsibilities and daily challenges to make it through a single day,were he had to travel from city to city in order to fulfill his determination and to be able to break the “circle” of poverty and of course fight homelessness. What's particularly noticeable is the different forms of homelessness that is highlighted in the state and across Minneapolis. According to the text homelessness have changed in the
Methods Participants Participants (270 participants overall) will be recruited at Kern County Homeless Shelters. (Thus, cluster sampling will be used.)The criteria is that the individuals must be 18 years or older, must be homeless (defined as living on the streets or in a shelter for at least 3 weeks). The individual’s eligibility will be determined if the criteria is met.The amount of participants is justified due to the sensitive nature of the subject and due to numerous factors indicating homelessness. It is also a good amount that reflects the ideal homeless population in Kern County and it leaves the margin of error at 5% and 95% confidence level. Procedures Participants will be informed thoroughly of research and its intention
All types of our country’s societal members are included in the homeless population. Men and women, young and old, veterans and the disabled, the addicted and the clean, and people of all races are homeless. Men make up the majority of the homeless population. Studies show that about eighty percent of the homeless population is male. Because of this, many view homelessness as a gender issue. We mustn’t overlook the women who are also roaming the streets at night. Many homeless women are victims of domestic abuse. About fifty percent of all women who call themselves homeless report that domestic violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness. Young adults make up about twenty-five percent of the homeless population, while people over fifty now make up about thirty percent. Children also make up about twenty-five percent of the homeless population. Most children are put into this situation when their parents lose their home. Veterans also live out on the streets. The VA reports that about nine percent of the total homeless population are veterans. Persons with disabilities whom can’t take care of themselves are also living outside. Studies show forty percent of the homeless population have a disability of some sort. Those with addictions are homeless as well as those without. Studies estimate about forty percent of the homeless were dependent on alcohol and twenty-five percent on
The second problem you need to address is about the jobs for the homeless. These people don’t have a proper job to maintain their permanent residence. Furthermore, they are worried on how they would earn money for their food. One day when I was walking near Times Square, I was stopped by a man. When he asked me to buy him food, I did not reply. As I kept walking by ignoring him, he started shouting at me. I felt secured as many people were around me. If this happened to me in the middle of the night, I would have been frightened. Homeless are found in the streets because they don’t have money to pay for the rent. There are some people who have jobs but they get paid less. With this less pay, they spend for their food and other stuffs; hence,
People in shelters are not able to get the medicine or doctor care that they need. This could be one of the leading causes of why hundreds of homeless die each year. Healthcare and not being able to get treatment also swings back to health issues. With more permanent housing being opened doctors would be more able to visit the housings for treatment. “The literature on homeless adults with severe mental illness is generally silent on a critical issue surrounding service delivery—the contrast between housing first and treatment first program philosophies. This study draws on data from a longitudinal experiment contrasting a housing first program (which offers immediate permanent housing without requiring treatment compliance or abstinence) and treatment first (standard care) programs for 225 adults who were homeless with mental illness in New York City (Padgett et.al. 2006).” With the hundreds of homeless people dying this is a main cause of why public free permanent housing is needed to be
They had a sign that had said homeless anything will help. When the young man had approached me I looked at the kids and thought to myself, “I have extra food in my car I cangive some to them for those kids.” After the man had approached me he asked, “do you haveany money to spare?” I had responded, “I have food to give to your children.” He replied,“thank you but I would rather have money if you have some to spare.” I then asked the man,“Your sign homeless and anything will help?” He replied, “Well yes, but we are not homelesswe just don’t have money to pay bills and for food.” I again offered to give food for his kidsand to my surprise they got into an old pickup truck and drove away.Months passed by and I have been approached by more beggars