INTERNATIONAL CHILD AND YOUTH CARE NETWORK

29 MAY 2000
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Young homeless at risk of suicide

The National Coalition for Youth Housing (NCYH) says more than half of homeless young Australians have attempted suicide.
The NCYH has just released a nation wide study on homlessness and mental health.
The report claims mental illness is the hidden crisis of homeless young Australians.
It says 95 per cent have low self esteem, a factor that has led to more than half attempting suicide, while 38 per cent have engaged in self-harming behaviour like slashing themselves.
Chair of the NYCH Darren Ray says the report reveals need for reform.

"The two systems currently, mental health and homelessness system cannot cope with the amount and increasing number of young homeless Australians presenting with these sorts of problems."

It says the government could curb the problem if there were better coordination between services catering for the homeless and those dealing with mental health.

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