Access to Mental Health Services for Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Calgary, AB
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2022
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This capstone researches access to mental health services for youth experiencing homelessness in Calgary. Having mental health supports would provide developmental aid such that youth who are experiencing homelessness have non reoccuring experiences and are still able to properly develop their skillset for mental and emotional wellbeing in transition into adulthood. Based on the literature and research available, there are five issues that need to be addressed – the limitations of mainstream mental health services for homeless youth, limited use of shelters among youth experiencing homelessness, a lack of residential stability, low levels of school based interventions, and aging out of government care. Although the focus here is on mental health, the approach to address the issue cannot purely be related to increasing mental health services. Such interventions might address those who are experiencing homelessness for a short period of time, however they fail to address the issue of youth homelessness itself which must be considered as well to ensure an effective long term solution. In order to effectively address the issue, more funding for youth supportive housing combined with wraparound mental health and other social services is recommended.
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Chatha, S. (2022) Access to Mental Health Services for Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Calgary, AB (Unpublished master's project). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.