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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Rebecca J. Incledon, BA¹, Ayala Abramovici - Livny, MEd², and Monique Tula². (1) Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St., Boston, MA 02118, 781-254-5897, rebeccai@alumni.brandeis.edu, (2) Cambridge Cares About AIDS/ Youth on Fire, 17 Sellers St., Cambridge, MA 01239

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to learn about the risk-taking behaviors among and self-reported emotional well being of the client population of Youth on Fire, a drop-in center for homeless, runaway, and street-involved youths in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The center serves approximately 400 youths per year, and offers services such as: hot meals, recreational activities, showers and laundry facilities, case management, and mental health services. Methods. Risk assessment data from clients' intake forms (N=95) from a six-month period were analyzed. The data include demographic information and information about general health, mental health, substance abuse, and sexual activity. Results. Having been diagnosed with a mental health condition is associated with: having lived in an abusive household, having consumed alcohol in the year prior to intake, and having attempted suicide. Additionally, clients who identify as either gay, lesbian, bisexual, or questioning were more likely than heterosexuals to report certain negative mental health outcomes, such as having been hospitalized for psychiatric reasons and having ever overdosed. Conclusions. Often, youth-serving programs do not have the luxury of analyzing aggregate data and instead operate programs on instinct and intuition. This study provided program staff an opportunity to better understand the experiences and needs of their client population. For example, discovering the prevalence of mental health diagnoses has allowed the program staff to advocate for more and more easily accessible mental health services for the clients. The findings will be utilized to design programs that address clients' needs more effectively.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Identify factors that are associated with negative mental health outcomes among homeless and street-involved youths.
• Describe ways that social service agencies can improve mental health services for homeless youths.

Keywords: Homelessness, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No