Homelessness, Behavioral Health Disorders and Intimate Partner Violence: Barriers to Services for Women.

Homelessness, Behavioral Health Disorders and Intimate Partner Violence: Barriers to Services for Women.
Community Ment Health J. 2014 Feb 25;
Authors: Ponce AN, Lawless MS, Rowe M
Abstract
Homeless women comprise a significant portion of the homeless population and may encounter multiple life stressors including mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma. Women who are homeless may experience difficulty gaining access to resources such as shelter and health care. In addition, the interaction of behavioral health problems with intimate partner violence (IPV) may create extraordinary barriers to their engagement in services. This paper explores the co-occurrence of homelessness, behavioral health problems, and IPV and lessons learned through a gender-specific homeless services program designed to reach women who are unengaged in traditional services. Recommendations for providing gender-responsive services are discussed.
PMID: 24566559 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Community Mental Health Journal - February 25, 2014 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ponce AN, Lawless MS, Rowe M Tags: Community Ment Health J Source Type: research