Each year, Choices for Youth in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, works to empower at-risk youth from across the province. Recently they began to mobilize efforts towards the development of a provincial plan to end youth homelessness in NL. This week’s infographic comes to us from Choices for Youth’s End Youth Homeless in Newfoundland and Labrador website, which serves as a starting point in the creation of a plan. The infographic, which is based on two separate studies from End Homelessness St. John’s and Memorial University, provides critical insights on the factors contributing to youth homelessness in the province.

According to End Homelessness St. John’s, 30% of the emergency shelter population in St. John’s are youth between the ages of 16 – 24. At 10% higher than the national average, some contributing factors to youth experiencing homelessness are abuse and other forms of victimization, mental health, family conflict and instability, addiction challenges, disrupted education, low income or poverty, marginalization and discrimination, experience with child intervention systems and previous episodes of temporary homelessness.

A further breakdown of this population finds that two-thirds identified as male, one-third as female. The study also found that 24% identified as LGBTQ2S and 29% were either expecting a child, or they already had one or two children. Nearly half the youth had some high school education, but only 5% had completed high school.

The infographic also points out that up to 80% of homeless youth don’t actually live on the street. Hidden homelessness includes individuals without stable and affordable housing, who live with either friends or family, stay in temporary shelters, or live in unsafe or crowded conditions.

Some of the major mental health challenges reported by youth which could put them at-risk of homelessness are anxiety (67%), depression (68%), ADHD (57%) and previous suicidal ideation (57%). In addition, 60% of youth reported feeling lonely, and of the 75% not in counseling, 46% would like to begin.

The overall impact of homelessness on youth is substantial. The infographic states that 67% of youth were previously incarcerated and 36% have been street-involved for more than 5 years. Subsequently, youth are left with high levels of unemployment, feelings of isolation and stigma, potential for adult and inter-generational homelessness, increased vulnerability to violence and sexual exploitation, overburdening of health, criminal justice and child protection systems, and increased risk of suicide.

This creation of a provincial plan that focuses on prevention, housing and supports would help put an end to youth homelessness in the province.

A LOOK AT THE REALITIES FACING AT-RISK AND HOMELESS YOUTH IN NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR
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