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Why Do Homeless NYC Students Experience Mental Illness?

 

Homeless NYC Students and their Mental Health

Photo credit: елена калиничева - stock.adobe.com

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Childhood and adolescence are already emotionally fraught times in a person’s development. Good or bad, what happens during these periods and how a young person responds to them could very well affect the rest of their lives, including their mental and emotional health well into the future. This is especially true of children and youths experiencing homelessness. This blog post will explore how homeless New York City (NYC) students experience mental illness and how their outlooks may be improved. 

How Common Is Mental Illness Among Homeless NYC Students?

Sadly, mental illness is widely prevalent among children and youths experiencing homelessness. According to Covenant House, a charitable organization which tracks patterns and cares for homeless youth, 69 percent of respondents report struggles with mental illness. [1] Given that there are over 146,000 school-aged children experiencing homelessness in New York City, this would equate to roughly 100,740 individuals. It’s possible this number is even higher considering that many may, for one reason or another, not want to discuss their mental health.

How Does Homelessness Affect Students’ Mental Health? 

As has been mentioned in previous blog posts, stability is key to the proper development of children and teenagers. But for homeless individuals, there is no stability. Many don’t know where they’ll spend the night, when they’ll next eat, whether they’ll continue to attend the same school, whether they’ll be safe from illness or physical violence and other things their stably housed peers often take for granted. All this can trigger the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which in large, sustained quantities has deleterious effects on their developing young brains. 

How Does Mental Illness Manifest in Homeless NYC Students?

Of course, it should be noted that mental illness can be present even if the individual in question has never experienced homelessness. The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the young people of this nation. According to data from the CDC, 39.7 percent of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, 28.5 percent experienced poor mental health and 9.5 percent had attempted suicide. [2] However, homelessness can both initiate and exacerbate mental disorders. Furthermore, when compared to their stably housed peers, homeless youths are four times more likely to have at least one psychiatric disorder. [3] These disorders include, but are not limited to: 

  • Depression 
  • General anxiety, panic disorder and PTSD 
  • Disruptive behavior disorders 
  • Substance use
  • Social phobias

These, in turn, may result in the following: 

  • Chronic absenteeism
  • Lack of focus 
  • Poor grades 
  • Inability to form interpersonal relationships
  • Greater exposure to violence 
  • Hostility to peers and authority figures 
  • Disciplinary problems
  • Social isolation 
  • Suicide 

How Do You Help Homeless Students Suffering From Mental Illness?

These problems may seem insurmountable, especially given the scope of these interconnected crises. However, as we’ve noted multiple times in these blog posts, countless people and organizations have made it their mission to help this vulnerable population. For a more complete list of mental health services available for homeless children and adolescents, click this link. Information and early intervention are essential to achieving the best outcomes. 

After you’ve educated yourself on this topic, you can raise awareness and/or hold the municipal government accountable by demanding more affordable housing, mental health services and other resources for the homeless. Lastly, you can join or form a community group to pool resources and create a comprehensive support system. 

For those who want to help solve the homelessness crisis, Mentor A Promise is a great place to start. 

Contact Mentor A Promise Today 

Our organization recognizes the immense potential within each individual and seeks to provide them with the educational resources and opportunities they need to thrive. To that end, we have built a strong network of family shelters, educational institutions and community organizations to support homeless children, youths and their families. Click these links to learn more about what we offer or to get involved. Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness. 

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