Let's Talk About Grief & Homelessness

 Hey Family let's talk about a loss of stability and security...


Most people have a primary innate assumption of stability and security (Janoff-Bulman, 1992). Conversely, when the assumptive world is shattered by homelessness, trauma can occur. The research from this study resulted in the initial overarching theme by identifying the loss of a sense of stability and security in the homeless population. This research revealed that many homeless individuals could experience compounded losses resulting in chronic grief and loss. This perspective was corroborated by P12, who expressed that when homeless individuals have “to carry your life in a shopping cart or backpack your identity is tied to those things.”

For instance, the instability of the loss of employment, a loved one, animal companion, or health compounded with the loss of a home can be a source of grief and loss. The results of this study indicate a strong relationship with this sense of loss. The psychological and social shock of these traumatic events and the individual umwelt of the social environment can appear to be devasting (Burns & Sussman, 2019). The findings from this study suggests that past traumatic experiences and the mental illness of homelessness can influence a sense of well-being. Toxic environments were found to have foreshadowed an individual becoming homeless. Often while experiencing homelessness, the state of a toxic environment continues. Da Silveira et al. (2021) theorized “Living in a shelter is an adverse experience that generates toxic stress” (p. 1).

Additionally, study participants asserted that the inability to secure housing retraumatizes those stuck in the cycle of homelessness. Therefore, some homeless individuals may need guidance recognizing pathways out of their current circumstances. Assistance may be required for the homeless to adapt to a stable environment. This could require a series of events to reconnect the homeless with mainstream society.


Perhaps, by addressing the core issues and providing secure housing, the loss of a sense of stability and security can be ameliorated.

 

Family, I know this was a lot of information to digest. Let's think about it and meet here again in 2 weeks. Until then, do what you can to make the world a better place in which we all must live! 

 

All the best,

Dr. Cynthia B. Brown MSW

Founder CEO

The WayWesX17 Homeless Project

cb.brown@waywesxgroup.org

817.800.9610

https://waywesxgroup.org/

Let's meet! Get on my calendar

https://calendly.com/wwx17



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