The Relationship between Homelessness and Mental Illness - Essay Example

Student’s name Institution Course Professor Date Task: What is the Relationship Between Homelessness and Mental Illness? Homelessness has been defined differently by various scholars and as a result numerous definitions exist based on the context. Despite this, there is lack of precise definition of this concept (Muñoz & Vázquez, 1999). This absence of precise definition called for the need to have a universal definition and the push by European researchers have yielded some fruits. The definition given by the European Federation of National Organizations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) has been accepted by these group of researchers as a universal definition. FEANTSA defines homelessness as that state of an individual not being able to accede to and maintain a decent housing personally or with a the help of a social services (Avramov, 1995). It encompasses different physical states of living such as the homeless in totality, emergency accommodated and those at risk of being homeless. A major challenge which has emerged is getting the right estimates of persons who are homeless. This can be attributed to the lack of precise definition of what homelessness is. Mental illness on the other hand refers to that state where the mental functioning is severely impaired and the individual can exhibit one or more characteristics such as hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, disturbed mood and repeated inconsistent behaviors (NSW, 2007). Homelessness and mental illness are two widely contested concepts which have turned out to be the centre of research studies. Many scholars tend to believe that the two concepts are related in some way and a number of research studies have been conducted to ascertain this claim. Indeed, a number of these research studies have proven to give similar results showing that the two are related. This paper aims at establishing the existing relationship between mental illness and homelessness. To achieve this, an analysis of the results of past research studies and the respective arguments and counter arguments of scholars will be done. Therefore the main aim of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of the arguments and counter arguments of past debates on the link between mental illness and homelessness. Homelessness is a major social issue affecting all groups of persons in the society ranging from young to old, men and women as well as any other form of grouping in the society (Hwang et al., 2006). It is therefore not an issue affecting a single individual but rather everyone irrespective of the grouping and the condition can either be temporary or lifelong. While many have argued that there is a relationship between homelessness and mental health are related in some way, they tend to disagree on the manner at which the two are related. For example, Hwang (2001) argues that homeless individuals are at a higher risk of mental illness when compared to other individuals with homes. In a similar manner, the Public Health Agency of Canada et al., (2006) cite homelessness as one of the risk factor influencing the development of mental illness. Other scholars argue that homelessness worsens the situation of mental illness. On the other hand, arguments have emerged that mental illness causes homelessness. Levine (1984) argues that research has shown that mentally ill individuals are at a higher risk of becoming homeless compared to other people who are no mental problems. Similarly, Hodge et al., (2012) have argued that the mental health of mothers has been established to be one factor contributing to homelessness. From these arguments, it is quite clear that the two concepts; mental illness and homelessness can relate to each other in either way. As Philippot et al., (2007) cites, mental illness can either be a consequence or the root of homelessness. The question of mental illness being a root cause or a consequence remains a puzzle and conclusions cannot be made for each case. As such, relating mental illness and homelessness is a complex undertaking. Hodge et al. (2012) perceive the relationship between the two concepts being complex. Perhaps, we can seek the relationship of mental illness and homelessness by taking both sides; antecedent and consequence. No one can doubt the fact that being homeless has much more effect on the mental health being of the affected individuals than the visible physical health being. Being uncertain on where to reside causes individuals to be stressed and depressed. Normally, homeless individuals face the problem of maintaining normal living conditions and the social life. This explains the higher levels of depression and stress amongst the homeless persons. Besides resulting to stress and depression, homelessness has a substantial impact on the self-esteem of the affected individuals. An interview by Cockersell (2011) with one of the homeless individuals encountered in his research clearly reveals the effect of homelessness on the self esteem on the victims. The rough sleeper interviewed simply compared himself to rubbish citing only one difference between himself and the rubbish; rubbish is normally taken away once in a week while he himself will always be there. Such individuals are more likely to become mentally ill owing to self disregard. In fact, some of them reported having suicidal thoughts. In a study which was conducted in Canada by the Public Health Agency of Canada et al., (2006), a higher number of the homeless individuals who were interviewed reported having thoughts of committing suicide. Twelve percent and nineteen percent of males and females respectively reported having thought of committing suicide. Research studies have also shown that homeless individuals have higher levels of depression. One example of such studies was conducted in Ontario by Farrell et al., (2001) and the interview involved street children. The study indicated that 33% of the homeless youth in the streets reported having mental problems while 20% of them reported depression. Arguments have emerged that people with good social status benefit from individual resources such as which prevent the mental illnesses from occurring (Philippot et al., 2007). As a matter of fact, when people are economically stable, much effort will be directed towards the social support which the homeless may lack. People with poor economic situation will less often have time for social activities and usually they isolate themselves. Social activities create a good environment for the development of psychosocial factors which help individuals perceive how life is meaningful and have a positive attitude of themselves. Public Health Agency of Canada (2006) documents the importance of psychosocial factors in the wellbeing of individuals. It argues that these factors play a major role in improving the mental health of individuals. Furthermore, homelessness is normally accompanied by financial instability. Such people may not be able to afford health care costs and as a result, they either succumb to any form of illness or deteriorates. If they are to seek for medical attention, they normally wait up to the point when the conditions have changed to be complex. Besides having difficulties in affording health care costs, having no specific place of residence makes it difficult for them to follow the required advices from the physicians for example diet (Eberle et al., 2001). To some, they tend to stay for long in hospitals because their places of residents are more worse than the health care. While many of past research studies have been taken to ascertain whether mental illness precedes homeless, most of them do agree with the fact that it most of these people were already mentally ill before going into that state of being homeless (Philippot et al., 2007). However, this does not essentially mean that being an antecedent is completely ruled out. In most of these studies, there is one notable thing that has been evident amongst the homeless and the mentally ill. Most of them engage in substance abuse. Homeless persons are more likely to indulge in substance abuse which in many cases causes mental illnessess. Research studies have shown that about 50% of the homeless persons use drugs of one type (Muñoz & Vázquez, 1999). The same argument is echoed by Hulchanski et al., (2009) of the Canadian Population Health Initiative of the Canadian Institute for Health Information who argued that the rates of homeless people engaging in drug abuse was exceptionally higher. The Pathways into Homelessness research project done by Goering et al., (2002) in Toronto indicated that 68% of those who were first time and multiple homeless had reported a lifetime diagnosis of drug use. Several other studies done in the same context on different regions give higher figures of substance use amongst the homeless. The prevalence rate is almost the same in all western countries; remaining exceptionally high. In a research study done by Baron (1999) in Edmonton 40% of the homeless respondents reported having using Marijuana while 55% of them reported misusing alcohol. The higher rates of substance abuse amongst the homeless may indeed bring about the relationship between mental illness and homelessness. People who engage in substance abuse especially the hard drugs are more likely to get mental illness. Dependence on these harmful substances have been associated with different mental disorders. For example, alcohol has been found to have close associations with schizophrenia (Moran, 2006). Similarly, individuals who have been found to depend on substances are more likely to suffer from depression. Research studies on substance abuse among the adolescents have shown that about 25-50 percent of the youths who have engaged in substance abuse have been diagnosed with conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder (Armstrong & Costello, 2002). Homeless individuals engage in substance abuse as a way of reducing stressful living conditions and this explains the high prevalence rates of mentally ill persons amongst the homeless. As earlier stated, the fact that mental illness can be an antecedent of homelessness cannot be neglected. Mentally ill persons have no idea of what a home is or if they have, then probably they perceive it to be a place of violence. Lack of this experience of a home being a cozy environment for staying might further make the conditions more worse than before. As Cockersell (2011) refers, they have no home both internally and externally. Clinically, such behaviors have been associated with childhood experiences. There is a likelihood that such individuals grew up in a harsh environment created by those whom they were under their care (Cockersell, 2011). Good mental health plays a key role in enabling people to connect with others and also embracing the necessity of their existence around them. Mental illnesses causes the victims to disassociate themselves from the community around. Community plays an important role in social support and economic support. The negative perception of the environment and community around him may push a mentally ill person into homelessness. Mental illnesses impairs the victims' ability to function normally from the day to day aspects of life. Such individuals tend to neglect themselves and further they fail to form good relationships with others. Such people always misinterpret other people's guidance and this misinterpretation exhibited by irrational reaction. Such behavior tend to push away the people around him such as the family and friends who could provide guidance and social support in times of stress. As a result, such individuals who are mentally ill may be pushed into homelessness because of that existence in solitude. References New South Wales (NSW). (2007). Mental Health Act 2007 No 8. New South Wales. Hwang, S., Hortt, S. & Stuart, H. (2006). Homelessness and Health: A Policy Synthesis on Approaches to Delivering Primary Care for Homeless Persons. Kingston: Centre for Health Services and Policy Research. Hwang, S. W. (2001). Homelessness and Health. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 164(2): 229-233. Public Health Agency of Canada, Mood Disorders Society of Canada, Health Canada & Statistics Canada. 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