THE YOUTH
We develop relationships with youth and young adults aged 13-29 who live on the street in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. This neighborhood is an international destination for youth who come seeking refuge from abusive families, alienating foster care and group home situations, and juvenile justice system involvement. These homeless young people encounter constant threats to both their physical and mental health while on the streets.
Mental illness is a health issue that affects many street youth, who most commonly suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bi-polar disorder. Research verifies that the symptoms of mental illness are significantly more common among homeless and runaway youth than among housed youth. The difficulties of living on the street can exacerbate preexisting mental health related issues, as well as create new challenges to youth‘s health and stability. Yet, as a whole, homeless young people do not access mental health services because of cultural barriers, including what they perceive as the insensitivity of providers. Thus, self-medication with street drugs and alcohol is a common strategy for isolated young people dealing with emotional disturbances and trauma.