Description:
This brief brings to life the issues facing youth who are homeless and the implications for providing trauma-informed, culturally competent services.
Content:
Homeless street youth have become a common presence in most large American cities. The prevalence of homeless youth is difficult to determine, but researchers estimate that 1 million to 1.6 million youth per year experience homelessness. Not surprisingly, homeless youth have significant mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, and substance abuse disorders. Most of these youth experienced potentially traumatic events before they left home, and many of them are retraumatized once they arrive on the street. These youth struggle to recover from both previous and new traumatic experiences while trying to survive in a hostile street environment. (Authors)
Type of Resource:
Brief
Organization:
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Date Issued:
2007
Location:
Los Angeles, CA