20-50% of the homeless population in Canada suffers from a mental illness. This is not okay.

Around 20-50% of the homeless population in Canada suffers from a mental illness and over 50% of the 1,054 youth in the 2014 National Needs Assessment reported a mental health issue of some kind. Mental illness is among the biggest causes of homelessness for single adults following family separation and eviction.

Lack of treatment for the most seriously mentally ill causes the kind of delusions and bizarre behavior that makes living alone or at home with families untenable", thus causing many to end up homeless. These issues can precede the onset of homelessness or, through their interaction with other determinants such as income and employment influences, contribute to homelessness. Mental health can be influenced by several factors, including personal coping skills, perceived self‐worth, one’s social environment; and other physical, cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Other emotions such as stress have also been found to be more prevalent in homeless youth than non-homeless youth. In a study done in homeless youth shelters and high schools, they found that homeless male youth reported an overall stress level that was more than two times higher than that reported by a group of non‐homeless male youth.

Homeless youth are more likely to engage in substance use and self‐harm as a means of coping, whereas non‐homeless youth are more likely to cope by talking to someone they trust or through productive problem‐solving. The methods that homeless youth use to cope resulted in an increase of anxiety/depressive symptoms, withdrawal, and somatic complaints (unexplained physical problems). Meanwhile, homeless youth who tried to resolve a situation through using problem-solving skills or guidance from a trusted adult reported good self‐rated health. Another study found that homeless men with a persistent mental illness used less of their cognitive brain functions (problem‐solving methods, seeking social support) than homeless men with addiction or crisis. This is likely due to the impact mental illness can have on the function of the brain as well as the limited resources and services available for mental illness treatment among the homeless.

The National mental Health Supportive Housing Strategy of Canada ensures optimal health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and mental health issues. The National Youth Homeless Strategy also provides mental health and addictions support to those who need it most. By raising awareness about the links between mental health and homelessness, we can help more people in need.

Writer + Researcher: Angelina Manoj - Researcher from Power to the Youth Toronto

Published: January 26th 2022