Precursors and outcomes: A look at mental health in relation to homelessness

The homeless epidemic has reached new heights with over half a million individuals reporting experiencing homelessness in the past year alone. Mental health problems such as bipolar/mood disorders, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been found as predictors of homelessness. Mental health problems such as fear, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideations have been identified as outcomes of experiencing homelessness. Treatment options follow either the housing-first or treatment-first model. Housing-first treatments yield better and longer-lasting results of housing stability and improved mental health than treatment-first services. A lack of proper funding and mental health problems were found to be barriers to treatment for homeless individuals. More focus on mental health problems as outcomes of homelessness, mixed-measure studies that include observations, and possible relationships between traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and assault experienced during homelessness are suggested for topics of future research