What role can men play in helping the homeless? Brittni Brown looks at the staggering statistics.
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Homelessness is a problem that resides in the shadows of American society. Every year, over two million fellow humans experience at least one night of homelessness. As we go to bed every night, there are approximately 800,000 people like us going to sleep in much less favorable conditions.
For those of us lucky enough to have a stable living situation, addressing issues related to homelessness can be uncomfortable or difficult. Sure, we want to help our fellow men, women, and children that are living without a home, but doing so isn’t always as easy especially figuring out where to start.
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The first step in making a difference is trying to understand where the homeless are coming from. Offering compassion and understanding can go a long ways in helping someone get back on their feet. One study from Bradley University, which examined the health, lifestyles, and goals of homeless men, concluded that one of the most significant factors in finding long-term stability was someone believing in them and offering support.
The study went on to investigate the long-term goals of many chronically homeless men and found that many of them revolved around rebuilding their lives. Some goals include:
- finding a home
- finding stable transportation
- getting a job
- staying sober
- and staying healthy
Sometimes, just listening to the story of how an individual became homeless can be a monumental way in which to begin building a steady relationship of trust. Many people become homeless as a result of a series of poor decisions, but upwards of 20 percent suffer from some form of mental illness. Gaining a better understanding of that individual’s circumstances can help drive the direction of support that is offered.
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And for many, listening can be the most powerful form of support. The Bradley study also found that even if study participants did not suffer from a diagnosable mental illness, they were often under extreme mental strain. During the participant survey, the average lowest scoring questions involved their thoughts on if people cared about them. One of the lowest scored responses was if the participant felt loved.
Participants also rated their involvement/acceptance into the greater community low, signifying that many felt as though they were forcibly left out of the greater part of society. However, many did feel as though they were part of a local community. Most participants reported having friendships and support from their peers as well as relying on shelter staff for some level of emotional support during difficult days.
Finally, it is important to understand that homeless individuals have found means of coping emotionally with their situations and that there can be a great deal to learn from them. For instance, many have found ways to make light of the bad things and roll with the punches. Reacting poorly to everything that doesn’t go well doesn’t tend to make life easier. In fact, it can be a drain on already stressed emotions and bring you down more than necessary.
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Furthermore, they take a much greater appreciation out of the little things they do have. They are grateful for a roof over their head at night in a shelter or something warm to eat on a cold winter day. Many of us that do not have to worry about these day to day needs tend to forget how lucky we really are.
Taking the time to provide some level of support to the homeless population is a burden that more of our society needs to be willing to shoulder. Often times, this doesn’t involve extensive effort, simply listening and understanding can be enough. Providing emotional support is a powerful tool in helping the homeless get back on their feet.
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