Knowledge For Practice Part 1 1

Knowledge For Practice Part 1

Samantha Fleifel, Leah Hicks, Kammy Mattison, and Zayda Swick

University of South Carolina

College of Social Work

2/13/23
Knowledge For Practice Part 1 2

Knowledge For Practice Part 1

Living in Columbia, we can see the different social issues that impact our community. A

major issue we want to focus on for the purpose of this paper is within the homeless population.

We will be researching mental health and access to care or particular resources for young males

experiencing homelessness in the Columbia area.

Problem Statement

Mental health resources are not easily accessible for young adult men and women of all

races ages 18-26, living in homelessness in the city of Columbia, South Carolina. This is an

increasing issue that is detrimental to the wellbeing of young men and women on the streets in

Columbia. Mental health issues and homelessness go hand in hand. Due to the nature of mental

health and its impact on an individual, it can cause the time frame in which homelessness is

experienced to increase. It is only increasing due to the nature of the issue which includes

financial status, family systems, education, and race. Young adults who are experiencing

homelessness are unable to meet their basic needs and reach a sustainable way of life. This is

something people should be concerned about due to the rising numbers and how humans are not

able to reach their full potential. The purpose of our research is for homeless young adults in

Columbia and assess their access to mental health resources and how these may vary from

individual. We will be identifying possible barriers and factors that lead to homelessness as well

as how to go about preventing it.

Hypothesis

When assessing homeless young adults' ability to access mental health services there are

several identifying factors that improve or even limit an individual's accessibility. Thinking

hypothetically, would a white young adult male who is experiencing homelessness have more
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access to mental health resources for depression than a black young adult female also

experiencing homelessness? Furthermore, would a black young adult male with no family

system have a harder time accessing mental health resources over a black young adult with a

known family system? It is important to consider different individual factors that impact

available resources in order to address how to most effectively bring about intervention.

Possible intervention

There are a multitude of interventions designed to help bring assistance to those who are

homeless facing mental illnesses, specifically depression. Interventions can either be mobile or

stationary and in this case a mobile-based intervention would be best. This is due to a lack of

transportation some may have due to homelessness. This mobile transportation would be used to

transport psychiatrists and therapists to homeless populations with high numbers of depression.

This mode of transportation would also be able to transport those in the community to support

groups, if they have signed up. There would be a log to keep track of all participants and it would

be organized by the area in which they live. Transportation was a setback or obstacle of being

able to seek professional help for a diagnosis and receive adequate care.

Pros and Cons of Intervention

For the intervention we just discussed, pros and cons can be found. The pros of the

possible intervention are the accessibility due to being mobile and free of charge due to

volunteers and donations. One could argue the cons of the previously discussed intervention can

be lack of communication with those who face homelessness due to lack of access to phones or

any other technology. The obstacle of lack of resources for communication can make it hard to

reach all people and maintain communication.

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References

Last Name, F. M. (Year). Article Title. Journal Title, Pages From - To.

Last Name, F. M. (Year). Book Title. City Name: Publisher Name