Homeless youth and mental health

Mental health services are essential for RHY

Focusing on mental health is fundamental to runaway and homeless youth (RHY) services. Youth who are homeless or at risk have higher rates of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety and conduct disorders, than those living in stable homes. And a lack of access to behavioral health care further complicates the ability of most individuals to seek treatment. For organizations and providers focused on at-risk youth, prioritizing mental health is the key to long-term success for runaway and homeless teens.

Overview: Higher risk

Mental health is necessary for leading a successful and happy life. For still developing youth and young adults, mental health issues can be particularly critical – this is especially true for homeless and at-risk youth.

Did you know:

• Homeless students reported significantly higher rates of depression than housed students (45% vs. 27%).
• More than half of homeless students who attempted suicide reported needing medical attention afterwards, compared to 37% of housed students.
• Homeless students who were bullied were much more likely to report depression (63%) than those who were not (34%).
• Depression can lead to harmful behaviors such as alcohol and substance abuse … homeless students reporting depression were more than twice as likely to binge drinking as homeless students declaring depression (41% versus 19%).

Why mental health is important

Identifying and successfully treating the mental health issues facing youth and young adults is the key to lifelong emotional and mental well-being. For runaway and at-risk youth, mental health issues can lead to a host of other challenges, including:

• Higher dropout rates
• Increased risk of substance use
• Higher unemployment and informal work rates
• Longer and more frequent episodes of homelessness

The latest mental health news from the field