Abstract: This paper aims to synthesize the impact of race and ethnicity on the mental health status of the homeless. Detailed statistics and empirical studies regarding these elements will aid in portraying how these factors contribute to psychological problems. It will outline how both mental health problems and homelessness are intertwined, each having the potential to cause or contribute to the other. Other factors like housing discrimination, age, and history of minority struggles will also assist in explaining the current standing of the homeless in relation to these influences. The paper will culminate in proposed ideas for policy change ideas for bettering the mental health status of minority homeless.
Annotated Bibliography
“Homelessness Resource Center.” Homelessness Resource Center. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration,, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://www.nrchmi.samhsa.gov/default.aspx>. This source provides basic statistics about race and gender to be used as reference points and to back up more detailed claims.
“Mental Health: Culture, Race, and Ethnicity.” Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Office of the Surgeon General (US); Center for Mental Health Services (US); National Institute of Mental Health (US)., Aug. 2001. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK44243/>. This source outlines various ethnic groups and how they are each influenced by mental health issues, along with trends observed in how to best care for each group. It provides very specific inferences on racial impacts.
Milburn, Norweeta G., PhD. “Discrimination and Mental Health Problems Among Homeless Minority Young People.” Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2789817/>. This study examines the influence of race and age on mental health issues among the homeless. It focuses specifically on prejudice experienced due to these factors, and how this in turn impacts mental stability.
Opler, LA, L. White, CL Caton, B. Dominguez, S. Hirschfield, and PE Shrout. “Gender Differences in the Relationship of Homelessness to Symptom Severity, Substance Abuse, and Neuroleptic Noncompliance in Schizophrenia.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11504322>. This study analyzes the effects of gender and homelessness on schizophrenia and substance abuse. It offers very specific empirical data showing distinctions between each.
Ramsay, Rosalind, Sarah Welch, and Elizabeth Youard. “Needs of Women Patients with Mental Illness.” Apt.rcpsych.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2012. <http://apt.rcpsych.org/content/7/2/85.full>. This study most focuses on how women are most affected by mental disorders, but also frames this in terms of social issues like poverty and homelessness.
-Jacqui Larsen
