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Preventive and primary care mental health services need to be more accessible to young homeless people, according to a new Mental Health Foundation report, writes Anabel Unity Sale.

It calls for more preventive measures to be taken to address the mental health problems of young people living on the streets and in transient accommodation.

It says: "There is compelling evidence that many homeless young people suffer from severely degraded mental health. Mental health problems are eight times as high for people living in hostels and bed and breakfast accommodation and eleven times higher for those who sleep rough, compared with the general population."

The MHF report calls for the establishment of a national service framework for children and young people’s mental health and says early and pro-active services are essential along with multiple intense support services.

Homelessness and mental health professionals are also advised to listen to the experiences of young people with poor mental health. The report says: "It is critical that young people’s voices are heard, not just to map their routes into homelessness and its impact on their mental health, but also to help workers assess the availability and appropriateness of supportive provision."

The report adds that the provision of secure and flexible accommodation will have "preventive and healing effects" on young people’s mental health. It also says that supported accommodation and half-way houses are crucial resources for young people.

Tony Newman, the report’s editor and Barnardo’s principal officer for research and development, said: "The large majority of help needed by young people does not require specialist forensic skills. It requires accessible, flexible services which are available when people need them - not when we would prefer to supply them - in settings where young people feel comfortable."

A summary of 'The Mental Health of Homeless Young People' can be downloaded by clicking here and a full copy of is available under 'what's new' at www.mhf.org.uk