Which Came First, Mental Illness Or Homelessness
People with poor mental health are more susceptible to the three main factors that can lead to homelessness: poverty, disaffiliation, and personal vulnerability.
As they often lack the capacity to sustain employment, they have little income.
Delusional thinking may lead them to withdraw from friends, family and other people. This loss of support leaves them fewer coping resources in times of trouble.
Mental illness can also impair a person’s ability to be resilient and resourceful; it can cloud thinking and impair judgment.
People with mental illness are
at greater risk of
experiencing homelessness.
Homelessness, in turn,
amplifies poor mental health.
The stress of experiencing homelessness may exacerbate previous mental illness and encourage anxiety, fear, depression, sleeplessness and substance use.
The needs of people experiencing homelessness with mental illnesses are similar to those without mental illnesses: physical safety, education, transportation, affordable housing, and affordable medical/dental treatment.
When providing care to those experiencing homelessness, it is essential to create a non-threatening and supportive atmosphere, address basic needs (e.g. food and shelter), and provide accessible care.
People with mental illness experience homelessness for longer periods of time and have less contact with family and friends.
In general, 30-35% of those experiencing homelessness have mental illnesses. 20-25% of people experiencing homelessness suffer from concurrent disorders (severe mental illness and addictions).
Community-based mental health services play an important role.
Homelessness could be drastically reduced if people with severe mental illness were able to access supportive housing as well as other necessary community supports. They encounter more barriers to employment and tend to be in poorer health than other people experiencing homelessness.
Housing outreach services that provide a safe place to live are a vital component of stabilizing the illness and helping individuals on their journey to recovery.
Source: Homeless Hub
