Homelessness, housing instability and mental health: making the connections

by Jessica Sanchez

There is a bidirectional link between housing instability and mental health. The authors of the article explain that it has long been a confusing topic in terms of thinking about whether it is poor mental health that causes homelessness or homelessness that causes poor mental health. First, we have to acknowledge that not all unhoused individuals have a severe mental health issue, contrary to what many people believe. We do know however, that homelessness has a strong impact on individuals mental health. Increased rates of depression and thoughts of sucicide for example, are higher in the unhoused population.

When looking at the correlation between mental health and homelessness, it is important to consider the structural factors that have put individuals in such unstable conditions and how this translates over to their health. Not sleeping in a place that is meant for humans to be sleeping puts the individual at environmental risks such as being surrounded by infestation, bad weather, and increased susceptibility to crime. Lack of affordable housing and housing seen not as a right and instead as an economic opportunity makes it hard for individuals who are struggling to have a safe shelter. 

With so much uncertainty surrounding something that shouldn’t be an everyday stressor, the big impact housing instability has on mental health should be no surprise. These individuals become part of a group who lacks social support. Social support is key to maintaining well being and when not received and coupled with society's negative view of the homeless, mental health issues arise. Lawmakers, providers and physicians should be the group who works with these individuals and helps get to the root of the issue. This is not always the case as many providers are not equipped to handle such situations as they lack full understanding of the root issue that causes people to become homeless. If more providers made it a point to become educated in structural competency, we could see them closely working with lawmakers to make changes. 

One’s home provides a sense of security and safety. When this is taken away, it becomes hard not to feel hopeless and like there is no help available. We need to strive towards ending the link between homelessness and mental health by finding the root of the issue and learning from this population how to do better, but also providing them with consistent resources.

References:

Padgett D. K. (2020). Homelessness, housing instability and mental health: making the connections. BJPsych bulletin, 44(5), 197–201. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2020.49