When it comes to the thought of homelessness you think about adults not being financially capable to take care of themselves. We must also keep in mind, the youth that is affected by being a part of a family that is homeless or just even ones that are not accompanied by anyone. Being a child without a home.is a hard and difficult life to have. Studies show that youth can become subject to "mental health problems, substance use, , and barriers to education and employment"(NN4Y). These affects on youth can have a lifetime lasting hold on them to where it can give low self esteem, depression, and anxiety. Homeless youth turns to drugs and alcohol to help cope with the struggles of being out of a home and with no immediate help from family. There are "40 to 50 percent of homeless youth report drug problems"(NN4Y), but most get no help do to limited resources and money.
Also, youth children have barriers preventing them from education and employment. "Such barriers include school attendance policies, credit accrual, legal guardianship requirements,9 residency requirements, proper records, and lack of transportation". All of these are thing needed for high school and college admittance which is not as accessable as it would be for one with a home. Not being educated and not having up to date social skills as a youth causes you feel those affects later in life. As a homeless unaccompanied youth your food choices are not as great as they should be as there is not much money that can be used to buy more expensive and healthier foods. Also being a youth health is not important as it would be to an adult. Eating right is not on the front of the youths mind especially juggling being homeless and limited in society.
To be a part of the solution in the state of Oregon you can visit:
http://ahomeforeveryone.net/get-help
Sources:
https://www.nn4youth.org/wp-content/uploads/Issue-Brief_Consequences-of-Youth-Homelessness.pdf
https://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/youth.html
https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/who-experiences-homelessness/youth/
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