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DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Amber Markin

BS, MSW, DSW Doctoral Candidate

Breaking the Cycle: Addressing the Implications of Mental Health Accessibility Among the Homeless

Concentration -

  • Wednesday, April 30, 2025 -
  • 2:30 pm
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Abstract

Homelessness and mental health accessibility are deeply intertwined social issues that have fostered ongoing conversations and disagreements amongst advocates while instilling significant and longstanding societal implications. This presentation delves into the intersection between these challenges, emphasizing the importance of understanding that solving one issue necessitates addressing the other. Mental illness remains a leading contributing factor to homelessness, and many individuals experiencing homelessness face significant barriers to accessing mental health care, including stigma, transportation issues, lack of insurance, and the unavailability of services within their region. These systemic obstacles perpetuate a cycle of vulnerability, exacerbating challenges for individuals, further oppressing an already oppressed population, and increasing public health and social costs. Through a combination of compelling data, case studies, and policy analysis, this presentation will highlight the urgent need for sustainable and integrated solutions that address both homelessness and mental health accessibility. It will explore innovative strategies to reduce vulnerabilities, close service gaps, and improve outcomes for individuals and communities. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the complex challenges faced by the homeless population and actionable insights for fostering long-term, impactful change.

Biography

Amber Lynn Townsend
BS in Psychology, MSW, DSW Doctoral Candidate
Foster Parent Training Specialist at Youth Villages

Amber Lynn Townsend is a dedicated and passionate advocate for vulnerable populations, leveraging her expertise in psychology, social work, and foster care to drive meaningful, sustainable change within her community on both micro and macro levels. As a Foster Parent Training Specialist with Youth Villages, Amber currently provides comprehensive training, support, and certification to foster prospective foster families, ensuring the well-being and stability of children in care, increasing trauma-informed practices within foster care homes, and enhancing foster care services within her region.

Amber's academic pursuits have been piloted by a passion for addressing systemic issues in mental health accessibility among vulnerable populations. Her research, including her current capstone project, focuses on homelessness and the critical role mental health services play in breaking the cycle of housing insecurity. By exploring innovative solutions and policy implications, Amber aims to create pathways to equitable mental health care for homeless populations and overall homelessness reduction within the United States. Amber's professional and academic journey reflects her unwavering commitment to empowering communities, advocating for systemic change, and improving lives through education, research, and direct service.