Two major charities are calling for increased mental health efforts to address the ‘devastating’ effects of homelessness.
A joint Simon Community NI and DePaul report was released yesterday at Belfast City Hall, showing that nearly 70% of those experiencing homelessness had experienced a mental health condition.
The survey also found that the overwhelming majority (84%) had been diagnosed before they became homeless.
Political leaders are now being urged to stop treating the issue as just a housing issue.
Patricia and Sean from Belfast shared their experiences of homelessness and how addiction, mental health and fighting addiction are linked.
Patricia, who now lives in permanent accommodation and has been married for two years, said she suffered flashbacks in her 20s after growing up in the care system that led to her addiction.
“That was me on the street. I believe that with that help, I might have taken a different path in life,” she said.
Sean, 41, was homeless on and off for 16 years, staying in temporary accommodation, night shelters, and on the streets after a broken relationship.
Now living in permanent accommodation for three years, he struggles with anxiety and depression and is supported by the Simon community.
“It was family discord, family background. If you don’t address your mental health, your homeless life is even worse. It goes hand in hand,” he said.
“If you get the right support at the right time for your mental health, you may never be homeless.
He said the challenges included getting GP appointments without a fixed address.
Jim Dennison, CEO of Simon Community NI, says the “stigmatizing and isolating” effect of homelessness often contributes to mental illness.
He called for legal mandates for greater cooperation among statutory agencies working on housing, health, social care, justice and education.
