Homeless Youth Benefit from Mental Health Services, According to Interviews with Program Participants

ISED Research Program Manager, Maria Hein, discusses findings from the System of Care for Youth in Transition (SOCYIT) participant interviews with the SOCYIT partners. 

The SOCYIT program provides mental health and substance abuse services to homeless youth in Chicago, Illinois.  The SOCYIT program is being implemented by the Counseling Center of Lake View and four community housing partners: 1) Teen Living Programs’ Belfort House; 2) La Casa Norte’s Solid Ground Supportive Housing Program; 3) The Night Ministry’s Open Door Shelter; and 4) Unity Parenting and Counseling’s Harmony Village. 

Following are highlights from the ISED’s in-person interviews with 14 SOCYIT participants (representing all four housing sites):

All of the participants agreed that their individual counselor worked on and talked about what they wanted to work on and talk about; and that the individual counseling services had been helpful to them.  Participants had this to say about the individual counseling services they received:

“My SOCYIT counselor has always been an advocate for me.  She makes sure I am spoken for and understood.” 

“My counselor is really sweet.  I can talk to her about anything and feel comfortable, and get real feedback.  Without this, I would be ready to explode.”

Other participants noted that their SOCYIT counselor gave them useful information and tips, for example, on parenting, on what to look for in a partner, and on quitting or reducing marijuana use.

Most participants noted that they also benefited from the group sessions.  One participant said, “The groups weren’t boring.  People really participated, and we could discuss things from our own experiences.