Latest reports from UK indicate that increasing numbers of young homeless people with mental health problems not receiving enough support.
The study also found that in London alone almost three-quarters, of the homeless people of the ages 16-25 of homeless people, had mental health problems. The report that was titled 'Making the Link between Mental Health and Youth Homelessness', for the Mental Health Foundation and Centrepoint, had indicated that the lack of skilled staff has resulted in people failing to get the required help.The report also identified failure by agencies in working together as another cause of the problem. It was explained that half of the people who were surveyed had explained regular feelings of anxiety and depression, mainly as they were homeless. It was further mentioned that the report indicated that a fifth of the people had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder or clinical depression prior to becoming homeless.
The report explained that as a result of these factors younger people often reach a crisis point before a mental health team could identify them. Ms. Moira Fraser, of the Mental Health Foundation, said, 'We need to see more services working in unison and better pathways to specialist mental health and drug and alcohol services for young homeless people. Vulnerable young people asking for help should not have to face long waiting lists or have to cope with services that aren't able to deliver.'
Balbir Chatrik, from Centrepoint, said that even though there is a ever increasing complexity on issues of mental health that affect homeless young people, the access to mental health services remains limited. She also said, 'Our experience shows that it is vital to get services working together in order to provide help before crisis point is reached.'
