Introduction
The pervasive issue of homelessness continues to be a pressing concern globally, with individuals facing myriad challenges in their daily lives. Within the broad facets of this issue, crisis intervention emerges as a critical aspect in attending to the needs of homeless individuals. Homeless individuals are exposed to several issues, such as mental health issues, drug abuse issues, physical wellness complications, and severe levels of poverty. Understanding these crises forms a perfect strategy to create a supportive environment and facilitate the reintegration of homeless individuals into society. The reason for my interest in the realm of crisis intervention for the homeless lies in the urgency to improve the welfare of this vulnerable population (Somerville, 2013). Being an advocate of justice and mental health, I am deeply intrigued to explore the issue of homelessness as it is not merely a matter of addressing the visible elements but the integration of the underlying crises that perpetuate and exacerbate the condition.
Within the broader context of crisis intervention for people experiencing homelessness, a specific focus will be placed on the role of mental health support. Mental health issues are prevalent among homeless individuals, which occur as a result of the harsh realities of living on the streets (Padgett, 2020). Literature reveals that the homeless are more prone to mental issues compared to the general public, and this increased prevalence makes it very critical to explore the issue of mental issues among the homeless within a particular framework of crisis intervention (Padgett, 2020). By exploring mental health as a critical element in homelessness, the research implements strategies that are needed to reduce the manifestation of mental health among homeless individuals. It is also vital to examine the existing models of crisis intervention and propose future recommendations to effectively support mental well-being among homeless individuals within the heightened vulnerability.
History/Background
The issue of mental health among people without housing is of paramount importance due to its profound impact on individuals experiencing homelessness. Beyond the issues related to living on the streets, mental health issues have been pervasive and have been vital in the perpetuation and exacerbation of homelessness. The severity of the related impacts justifies the need to create a supportive environment that fosters integration and welcomes homeless individuals into society (Padgett, 2020). The issue is significant within the broader context of crisis intervention since mental health issues are very prevalent among the homeless population and need ideal strategies for identification, assessment, and intervention for the general well-being of homeless individuals.
Who, When, and What
The homeless population consists of individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The consideration incorporates the individuals within the streets, shelters, or temporary accommodations. The prevalence of mental issues within this particular population is very high, and studies reveal that compared to the general public, homeless individuals are more likely to experience mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. Substance and rug abuse often co-occur, further complicating the issues affecting this demographic. Mental health among the homeless is not specific to any locality, the issue is a global concern with the different variations within different localities. Homelessness transcends from the historical ages, but it is massively shaped by social constructs like economic status and the presence of mental health services. The issue has been addressed for several ages, but the urgency to address it still increases.
Challenges Faced by the Homeless Population
The harsh conditions, such as the longer stays on cold nights, the constant exposure to violence, and the lack of social amenities like food, form some of the challenges affecting the homeless population. The issues are so severe that they even translate to the manifestation of other issues and even translate other issues. The experience of homelessness often involves social isolation that can quickly progress the existing mental health conditions or translate to the development of new ones. Among the homeless population, access to appropriate healthcare services is an ideal challenge, making them vulnerable to a myriad of infections and other unrecognizable health issues. The issue of stigmatization and financial incapabilities, misinformation about the available services impeded the seeking of timely, appropriate medical care (Hodwitz et al., 2022). This consideration makes the cycle of homelessness and mental health issues self-perpetuating, making it imperative to break this cycle through targeted interventions.
Current Models, Past Treatment Types, Current Interventions
Historically, mental health issues among the homeless have been recognized, but addressing them effectively has been a persistent challenge. Several crisis intervention strategies have been employed, ranging from traditional psychiatric treatment to community-based interventions. The issues have been considered vague as the complexity of the mental issues among the homeless requires a more comprehensive approach and a nuanced understanding of their needs (Stein et al., 2022). The past treatments often focused on symptom management without addressing the underlying causes of mental health challenges among the homeless. This consideration rendered the past treatments ineffective as the patients were not alleviated of their mental issues but rather the issue intensified. The current interventions have strived to integrate a more holistic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness. Programs that have been implemented to support the interventions are housing support, employment assistance, and social integration of homeless individuals in society (Stein et al., 2022). These current strategies have improved over the past interventions but are still ineffective.
Effective Strategies for Identifying, Assessing, And Intervening in Mental Health Crises Among the Homeless.
Implementation of Integrated Care Models
A combination of mental well-being and incorporating it with other support forms the first strategy for the identification and assessment of the mental health crises within that homeless population. The combination incorporates health services with amenities such as affordable housing and drug abuse management. This strategy can appropriately improve the mental well-being of the individuals as it considers their immediate needs. The model effectively undertakes and integrates the intertwined nature of this issue and the related challenges and implements the appropriate strategies to manage the observed challenges. The strategy is very effective and addresses the immediate needs of the mentally affected individuals from the homeless community.
Outreach and Engagement Programs
An appropriate proactive approach is also vital in the identification and assessment of mental health crises among the homeless population. The strategy involves the incorporation of peers, social workers, and professionals in physically engaging with individuals with mental health issues. The involvement entails talking to them and creating an accepting environment so that they can feel acceptable and not socially constrained as they may perceive (Wickham, 2020). the participants of these outreach programs have been part of the mentally affected population and have a perfect integration of mental issues and their related effects. The strategy can quickly help the mentally affected individuals navigate through the complexities to build strong bonds among the individuals who may be hesitant to seek help when in need. By establishing rapport, outreach workers can identify early signs of mental health issues, initiate assessments, and encourage individuals to access appropriate services.
Trauma-Informed Care
Recognizing the prevalence of trauma among the homeless population, adopting a trauma-informed care approach is essential for effective mental health intervention. Most of the individuals experiencing homelessness have histories of violence, abuse, and other traumatic experiences. These experiences have massively shaped the lives of individuals towards a particular orientation, translating to other life-compromising situations. The trauma-informed care will focus on addressing the effect of trauma on the mental health of an individual. The practitioners need to have the needed training to perfectly relate with the situations of the mentally affected homeless individuals to help in the creation of an appropriate environment and implement the needed interventions that do not coarse the past of the individuals (Wickham, 2020). This type of care has an acknowledgment of the intertwined nature of mental health issues, trauma, and the need for the creation of an appropriate support system to control the situation.
Theoretical Perspective, Context Analysis, And Limitations
The Social Ecological Model (SEM) serves as a comprehensive theoretical framework to understand and address the complexities of mental health issues among the homeless population. The model was developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner and posits an interconnection between environmental concerns and individual behavior (Goldstein et al., 2021). Within the model are several systems and macrosystems that directly relate to the individuals and their influence. Applying the model to mental health concerns among individuals who are homeless recognizes the multifaceted nature of this relationship. Within the microsystem, personal experiences, relationships, and interactions are vital in the manifestation. The mesosystem dynamics involve the existing connection between support systems like shelters, healthcare services, and community organizations. Within the Ecosystem level, the factors comprise policies and social services that affect homeless individuals (Goldstein et al., 2021). By considering the interconnected layers of influence, interventions can address not only the immediate mental health concerns but also the underlying systemic issues contributing to homelessness and mental health challenges.
Context Analysis and Limitation
The content analysis dives into the limitations of implementing strategies for mental health among homeless individuals. Unavailability of resources and inappropriate community engagement can easily lead to poor implementation of the strategies. Resources are a vital element in managing mental issues among the general public. Resources needed in the management are in the context of financials, human capital, and the general public. Due to the vital nature of mental issues among the homeless population, the issue of insufficient resources is vital as there is always a deficiency in the financiers and stakeholders to propel the initiative. The continued stigmatization also forms a vital challenge to the implementation of the needed initiatives to manage the issue of mental health among the homeless effectively. The stigmatization extends even in the health sector, where the mentally affected patients from the homeless population are slowly attended to, thus impeding perfect access to healthcare services, and the aftermath is reduced healthcare outcomes.
Conclusion
Addressing the issue of mental health among the homeless population is a complex issue and an ideal element of crisis intervention within this particular population. An ideal holistic approach needs to perfectly explain this intertwined relationship between these vital phenomena. The homeless population is affected by serious issues such as constant exposure to episodes of violence, unfavorable conditions, and social isolation that translate to stigmatization. There is an increased prevalence of mental issues among homeless individuals compared to their public counterparts. Traditional modes have been used in highlighting and addressing the issue of mental issues among the homeless population, and the methods have not been successful due to the complex nature of the issue. Some of the strategies that can be suggested to improve the mental health issues among the homeless population include proactive outreach and engagement programs, trauma-informed care, and integrated care models.
The Social Ecological Model (SEM) forms the theoretical model that provides the intricate relationship between these concepts. Application of SEM to mental health among the homeless allows for a perfect understanding of the factors that play a role in the manifestation. The challenges that impede the perfect implementation of the strategies include limited resources and financial constraints. Stigmatization persists, hindering effective outreach and engagement programs and perpetuating negative perceptions in healthcare settings. Future recommendations need to focus on increasing the resources that are dedicated to mental health services among the homeless population. Community engagement and awareness programs are vital in combating stigmatization and ensuring the success of outreach initiatives. The research also needs to focus on the innovative strategies that can be used in the management of mental health among homeless individuals. Additionally, the future recommendation needs the federal systems to focus on constructing more housing to meet the housing needs. The houses must be affordable since the economic constraints have been critical in manifesting homelessness.
References
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Hodwitz, K., Parsons, J., Juando-Prats, C., Rosenthal, E., Craig-Neil, A., Hwang, S. W., Lockwood, J., Das, P., & Kiran, T. (2022). Challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness and their providers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study. Canadian Medical Association Open Access Journal, 10(3), E685–E691. https://doi.org/10.9778/cmajo.20210334
Padgett, D. K. (2020). Homelessness, housing instability, and mental health: Making the connections. BJPsych Bulletin, 44(5), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2020.49
Somerville, P. (2013). Understanding Homelessness. Housing, Theory and Society, 30(4), 384–415. https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2012.756096
Stein, D. J., Shoptaw, S. J., Vigo, D. V., Lund, C., Cuijpers, P., Bantjes, J., Sartorius, N., & Maj, M. (2022). Psychiatric diagnosis and treatment in the 21st century: paradigm shifts versus incremental integration. World Psychiatry, 21(3), 393–414. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20998
Wickham, S. (2020). Effective interventions for homeless populations: The evidence remains unclear. The Lancet Public Health, 5(6), e304–e305. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2468-2667(20)30120-1
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