It’s no secret that homelessness is a widespread issue, with thousands of people worldwide living in precarious, unstable and unsafe conditions.
When we think of homelessness, it's often the physical struggles - lack of food and shelter, harsh weather and even violence - that spring to mind. However, the unseen struggle, the psychological toll that it takes, is just as devastating.
For Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, we aim to shed light on this so often overlooked aspect of homelessness, and how you can help.
The harsh reality of homelessness and its impact on mental health
Homelessness is more than not having a place to call home; it’s the complete disruption of a person's life and their future. It’s well documented that it leads to an increased likelihood of poor mental health, as studies show that those facing homelessness have a disproportionate risk of suffering from concerns around their mental health. For example, the Mental Health Foundation found that 80% of the homeless population report mental health issues, with 45% being officially diagnosed.
And there are many reasons for this. The stress of living without a permanent home can be unsettling. Even at a very basic level, getting enough sleep (which is essential for both our physical and mental wellbeing) is hard to come by when sleeping rough, or when you’re moving from temporary placement to temporary placement. This is a very good example of the things we often take for granted.
The dangerous environments that those facing homelessness are exposed to are yet another driver behind overwhelming feelings of anxiety. Poor physical health and a lack of access to support, alcohol and substance abuse issues, domestic abuse and sexual exploitation, adult and childhood trauma - these are all things that feed into the cycle of homelessness.
The stigma of homelessness
The stigma that those facing homelessness have to deal with on a daily basis can lead to feelings of despair, worthlessness and depression. Assumptions and harmful stereotypes around employment and benefits or substance misuse can cause serious harm to someone trying to make positive changes to their life and future, creating a cycle that’s very difficult to break.
That’s why raising awareness about the clear link between mental health, poverty and homelessness is vital, so that those people who need it the most can get the support they need.
How can you play your part?
5 ways to help those struggling
We can all play a greater role in supporting the mental health of those around us, particularly those facing homelessness.
Here are 5 ways you can make a difference:
- Educate yourself and others
The stigma around those facing homelessness not only damages a person’s mental health, but the efforts to support them. Educating yourself and others is the first step in truly understanding the issue, and erasing the misconceptions around mental health and homelessness for good. There are so many resources out there for you to access, our regular blog is just one of them. And if you’ve got any questions, you can always get in touch for a chat.
- Volunteer and support events
Many organisations, including Simon on the Streets, offer the opportunity to volunteer. Whether it’s helping at events, helping our collection drives or donations of clothing, every single act of volunteering can help to make a difference. You can also attend one of our many events, all of which are designed to raise awareness and raise vital funds.
- Advocate for policy change
In the face of a cost of living crisis, both homelessness and mental health issues have been put under the spotlight. Government inaction has played a huge role in the most recent spike, as insufficient benefits and support are still a massive cause for concern. Advocating for policy change is one of the most powerful things you can offer when it comes to helping those who are struggling. The current petition by Crisis regarding the Vagrancy Act is a good example, you can learn more about and add your signature here.
- Donate
There are many organisations just like Simon on the Streets, who are more determined than ever to help those facing homelessness and the associated mental health issues. We can’t stress enough how much even the smallest donation can go a long way in helping us transform the lives of so many for the better. You can take a look at the very many ways to give here.
- Check in on anyone you think might be struggling
Anyone can experience poor mental health, and it can happen at any time. Whilst our lives can be very busy, it’s really important that you take the time to check in with anyone you think might be having a stressful and difficult time. Whether it’s a friend, colleague or family member, just knowing that someone cares and wants to help can make all the difference.
If you’d like to support those facing homelessness or want to find out more about how you can help, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can also keep up to date on the latest by following us on our social media channels.