53% had attempted suicide; 95% suffer from low self-esteem; 42% suffer from eating disorders; and 38% from other self harming behaviour such as slashing; 83% have behavioural issues; 61% adjustment issues; and 88% abuse of substances.
http://www.nationalyouthcoalitionforhousing.org.au/nych-press-releases/mental-illness-thehidden-crisis-of-homeless-youngaustralians?A=SearchResult&SearchID=20744273&ObjectID=1100585&ObjectType=35
ADDICTION Addiction to drugs or alcohol can take over someones life. This can cause all sorts of social problems for the individuals involved and makes it very difficult to function properly. It is one of the most common causes of homelessness. It can lead to unemployment or relationship breakdown, which then goes on to cause homelessness.
http://ysas.com.au/tag/causes-of-homelessness/
Asker's Rating:
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Jackie Most homeless people are mentally ill before they become homeless. It is mainly due to the fact that their families are unable to properly care for them. Also, many mentally ill people refuse to take their medication. They are difficult to deal with when they are like this. They often refuse help and willingly live on the streets. It's sad, but true.
People without mental illnesses usually end up that way b/c of financial troubles. I'm sure it is very hard for them at first. However, since they do not have any medically proven mental illnesses, I'm sure they would bounce back after things got better. They may be withdrawn or depressed, but these things would probably get better as their life got better. Source(s): I did some research o o
5 years ago Report Abuse
Karen K There are many reasons that people become homeless. Mental illness is one of them, there is also loss of jobs, living with someone that throws you out for one reason or another. Right now my husband and I live on $159 per month because we are disabled and waiting on Social Security to come through and our rent is $200 per month. We live on a monthly basis because we both have mental illnesses and we never know which month it will be when we can't pay our rent and end up living on the street. In answer to your other question about the traumatic effects of being homeless causing mental illness or depression, I would say that it would cause the depression and also post traumatic stress disorder which is another form of mental illness. Homelessness is the worst nightmare that any person could possibly go through and it is up to the individual as to whether they can come back from such an experience. o o o
5 years ago Report Abuse
Kathryn R A person's depression can be caused by becoming homeless and becoming homeless can make depression worse. Helping a person get a hold of their illness and stabilizing them would help them get a home and back into the mainstream of society which helps all of us in the long run. I guess it could be come permanent if there is no one to help them deal with the issues that they have. But most if not all mental illnesses can be treated if the person wants to be and if there is some one offereing help.