Author: Lily Amore
Each night, millions of people sleep comfortably in a warm bed and a roof over their heads. They never have to worry about their next meal and have the resources to take care of their mental and physical health. However, on the other hand, millions spend days and nights on the streets struggling to make ends meet. To say these people chose to live this way or that it is their fault they are on the street is completely ignorant. It is essential to be grateful and hold compassion for those who are less fortunate.
Homelessness is not just about not having a home; it is about poverty, mental illness, addiction, domestic violence, sexual abuse, systemic issues that go far deeper than many people understand, and most of all, it is about being left behind. We live in an extremely fast-paced society. If you skip even a beat, you can fall behind. We live in a society run by capitalism, AI is beginning to reshape industries, and billionaires are going to space. Yet, despite having a surplus of housing and food, we still have not figured out how to feed and house everyone. This is not an individual tragedy but a clear reflection of our society's values.
I write this blog post not to inform you or push my emotions onto you, but simply to express the heartache I feel. I understand I am very fortunate and do not have the same reasons to be sad. However, I carry pain that sits heavy on my heart. Living downtown, I face many homeless people every day. When I walk to class, I witness people curled up on the sidewalk with their whole life in a plastic bag. Sometimes I even see needles and tinfoil from hard drug use. I simply have to walk around. Society has desensitized us and made us numb to misery. We are constantly distracted by the media to care about those around us.
It is time we realize the homeless crisis is not an individual crisis but an ecological crisis (Nooe & Patterson, 2010). Ecology often operates outside of human control. Ecology should function naturally to support all life. It is meant to balance environmental systems and regulate the climate. Humans have disrupted the ecology, which has many negative side effects. When nature is out of balance, it has a direct impact on humans. In order to help the homeless crisis, it is necessary to analyze the ecological crisis also in place. Humans are a part of nature as well and a part of ecology. It is crucial to navigate more sustainable ways to balance ecology and the economy.
The concept of biopsychosocial risk factors takes an ecological approach to recognizing homelessness as a result of individual, psychological, and social factors. It highlights aspects such as biology, mental health, development, discrimination, and resources (Nooe & Patterson, 2010). Examining how societal conditions and the environment affect people is key to understanding the homeless crisis.
Why should you care? Everyone deserves to feel safe and comfortable. The health of our communities and our planet depends on how we care for each other and the environment, not just ourselves!
Ecological Model of Homelessness:
Want to help make a change?
Volunteer at local communities ->Volunteer
National Alliance to End Homelessness -> Donate
No comments:
Post a Comment