General

Many youth agencies have, or refer to local clinics. For many youths, however, there tends to be a "revolving door" type of use of emergency rooms usually after a condition has progressed to a very problematic stage. A major problem with this group is coordinating follow up care since they don't have a stable housing situation.

Homeless youths have a wide range of health concerns, but some common concerns are:

• Gingivitis
• Foot Rot
• STIs
• Dehydration
• Bugs
• Food Poisoning

Most youths seldom seek or receive health care unless a condition or problem becomes very serious. As noted above, a common first contact with the healthcare system is through the ER or, alternately, medical staff at youth centres.

With suicide as a leading cause of death among homeless youths, mental health concerns are very prevalent. Depression and PTSD are very common, and anecdotal reports would suggest increasing numbers of homeless youths struggling with the early stages (or fully developed) of schizophrenia. Many youths do not receive diagnosis and treatment, however, with many barriers existing with regards to traditional service delivery models.