The 8 Psychopathological Effects of Homelessness

Not having a roof over one's head has a very negative impact on mental health.

When people think of a vulnerable group, the elderly, migrants, people with mental illness, the LGBT community, etc. come to mind. These are the most well-known groups and also the ones with the largest support networks. But But what about the homeless? The fact that there are people without a home and without money to cover the basic food basket is a major social problem at the international level, although some countries have managed it better than others.

This group has several vulnerabilities, and unfortunately the biggest one is invisibility. There is research on the subject, but from the negative perspective of the impact they have on the country, but not on the psychological consequences of not having a basic food basket. the psychological consequences of homelessness by being part of homelessness.The fact that they are not aware of the health risks they have, nor of their high probability of developing a mental disorder, will be briefly discussed in the next few lines. We will talk about it briefly in the following lines.

Causes of destitution

The main causes of destitution can be divided into two groups: personal and social, although both are related and ultimately the determinants are the social ones, while the personal ones are related to the risk of falling into destitution in statistical terms.

Personal

On the one hand, we have the neurobiological determinants: propensity to psychopathologies and that these are not adequately treated.and also anxiety and high levels of stress in individuals without support networks. On the other hand, traumatic experiencesThe risk of falling into this situation is increased by childhood experiences, sexual or physical abuse, family conflicts or violence, and substance abuse.

Social

Social exclusion due to belonging to a minority or vulnerable group, or being discriminated against because of race, religion or preferences, is a factor closely linked to homelessness. On the other hand, the economy is also very relevant: living with low income, instability, and poor family planning due to scarce resources.

While these are not the only are not the only elements that contribute to a person becoming destitute, they are risk factors that, if not addressed, can lead to homelessness.These are risk factors that, without adequate support networks or the necessary treatment for certain illnesses or psychopathologies, can lead to homelessness.

The psychological impact of homelessness

As a vulnerable group, it is composed of people who belong to other ways of classifying members of society: the elderly, people with alcoholism or drug addiction problems, immigrants, people with disabilities (both physical and intellectual), among others. The main vulnerabilitieswhich, at the same time, become consequences of this social phenomenon, are the following.

Invisibility

Most of society shows no interest in the homeless in most countries. They are seen, but not taken into account.

2. Propensity to present symptoms or develop mental illness.

The fact of not having a roof over their heads alters their mental capacities, to the point of developing pathologies. The most common among this group are depression and schizophrenia, as well as alcoholism.as well as alcoholism.

3. Propensity to contract a disease

The homeless are exposed to any virus or bacteria and to extreme temperatures without the possibility of preventing illness from these agents or situations.

4. High risk of incarceration

Homelessness and lack of shelter place the homeless at risk of being at risk of being apprehended by law enforcement agencies by carrying out all of their activities in public areas, some of which are prohibited.

5. Propensity to substance use and abuse

Lacking money for a decent mealMany choose to consume toxic substances to stay without hunger or in a state of "well being" even though the situation demands the opposite.

6. Unemployment and limited opportunities to get one.

The window of opportunity to get a job is drastically reduced.

7. Lack of formal education and school absenteeism

The fact that parents are homeless is related to the vulnerability of their children, is related to a situation of vulnerability of their children due to lack of access to formal education.The fact that parents are homeless is related to their children's vulnerability due to lack of access to formal education.

8. Risk of accidents and premature death

The fact that they are exposed to diseases increases their chances of premature death. In addition, not being protected, having no sense of direction, being alcoholic, drugged or mentally ill increases the risk of having an accident.

What can be done to help these people?

The work of psychologists, social workers and interested people is really to reach out to this group, to detect needs, propose strategies and implement action plans that will help them that will allow them to resume a dignified life, get a job and, if they have a physical or mental illness, they can be treated. The fact that a person is in a street situation does not mean that his or her status in society has to be modified; he or she still has the same rights and can lead a dignified life with all that this implies.