Homeless youth represent one of the largest sub-groups of the overall homeless population in the US. In addition to their experiences with unstable housing, most face or have faced a number of adversities, including: family rejection, neglect, and abuse; economic hardship; and difficulties accessing homeless services. As a result, many homeless youth are at increased risk for poor behavioral health outcomes. This issue of In Focus provides a synthesis of recent literature on behavioral health issues among homeless youth. It gives an overview of the homeless youth population, prevalence of behavioral health issues, factors that can impact these issues, and implications for practice and policy.
Categories:
Chronic Disease, Clinical Practice, Substance Use Disorder