Centering Agency and Choice in Moving Toward Social Justice in Mental Health: Reflections on Childhood Maltreatment, Psychiatric Symptoms, and Homelessness.

The editorial in the American Journal of Psychiatry discusses the impact of childhood maltreatment on psychiatric symptoms and adult homelessness. The study by Widom and colleagues examines the causal pathway from childhood maltreatment to adult homelessness, highlighting the role of social determinants in shaping mental health outcomes. The authors advocate for a framework that incorporates human agency and choice to address social inequities and promote justice in mental health. The study underscores the need to integrate mental health into theories of social justice and human rights to ensure the well-being of individuals with mental health challenges. [Extracted from the article]