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Every year on 10 October, two important awareness days coincide: World Homelessness Day and World Mental Health Day. Both days highlight two important issues and it’s no coincidence that the two days coincide, as homelessness and mental health are often intrinsically linked – a connection that we at P3 Charity see every day.
The relationship between homelessness and mental health is often complex and cyclical. For some, mental ill health can be a contributing factor to becoming homeless, while for others, the stress and trauma of rough sleeping or living long-term in unstable housing can lead to poor mental health. It’s for this very reason that when we support people, we take a holistic approach, addressing both practical issues such as securing stable housing for people, while also addressing personal issues to support people’s mental health and wellbeing.
At P3, we believe that everyone deserves a safe place to live and has a right to access support that’s tailored to them. That’s why our approach often combines housing advice with mental health support and precisely why signposting is a key part of our approach. While we’re specialists in areas such as housing and advice, we’re not experts in every area, so we work collaboratively with partner organisations to ensure that people who come to us for help receive the best possible support and advice, even if it means referring them to a partner.
We recognise that everyone’s needs are different and, as well as needing different specialist support, some people also need a different approach, which is why we offer support from our hubs, in local community centres, over the phone, in people’s homes and through our street outreach services. Supporting people to feel safe enough to ask for and receive help is integral to our approach.
Some of the ways we do this include:
Melanie* knows first-hand that there’s a correlation between homelessness and mental ill-health, because she’s experienced both in her life and believes that the connection between the two was what made it so hard to break a cycle of neglect and abuse.
First experiencing homelessness after a breakdown in her relationship with her mum, Melanie started sofa-surfing – an often under-reported form of homelessness. After much instability, Melanie eventually found a flat, but her life became even more turbulent by the events that followed.
The person who previously lived in Melanie’s new flat had been involved in illegal drugs and had unsettled debts with a local gang. When these people came to Melanie’s flat to try to reclaim the debt, Melanie was concerned for her safety. To avoid any tension, she started to hang out with the gang and got into an unhealthy relationship with a man who began abusing her. Eventually, this partner moved his mother into Melanie’s flat and Melanie soon discovered that his mother was addicted to heroin.
Living in a toxic household, Melanie’s partner and his mother would invite other people over and they would use illegal drugs together. Melanie felt it was safest to join in, because when she didn’t, they were hostile towards her. Melanie soon became addicted to cocaine, but she was keen to say, “I never did heroin”.
Her boyfriend’s mother would shoplift to pay for her addiction, and she taught and encouraged Melanie to do the same in order to fund her cocaine habits, but also to get enough things to sell in order to pay for food. Making an already difficult situation harder, Melanie’s boyfriend would spend the money Melanie got and never fulfil his promise of paying her back.
Melanie reflects on the traumatic instances she experienced: of the time she called her mum crying down the phone, of the time the music got too much, of the time she had a glass broken over her head. Ultimately, abuse from both her boyfriend and his mother became routine.
Determined to break out of this cycle, Melanie started seeing a counsellor but never felt comfortable enough to open up. That was when she met her P3 Link Worker, and things began to change.
Finally able to escape the toxic environment that had taken over her life, Melanie said, “[I went to a] P3 woman’s refuge. I made the most of my time there: I gained qualifications as a mental-health co-ordinator and ended up going back to uni.”
Finally, feeling comfortable enough to disclose what she experienced, Melanie began talking about her previous issues with drug misuse and the impact her experiences of abuse had on her mental and physical health. With this information, Melanie’s link worker was able to work with Melanie to build a tailored support plan that not only addressed her housing issue but supported Melanie to regain control of her physical and mental health.
Once back on her feet, Melanie began volunteering at peer support meetings, helping other survivors of domestic abuse. She also started working part-time in a restaurant while studying psychology at university.
Melanie is steadfast: “If I hadn’t moved away, I’d be dead now. I always say to other people don’t be afraid to talk. You can only get help if you do.” She believes that her degree will open a lot of opportunities for her and hopes to use her degree to support other women who’ve experienced domestic abuse. She finished our conversation by saying, “I really can’t wait for the future.” Something she never thought she’d say.
This 10 October, we’re committed to keeping a spotlight on the link between mental health and homeless, while recognising that both are extremely complex issues that require a bespoke, person-centred approach. By acknowledging this connect and keeping people at the heart of everything we do, we can build services – and a society – that offers dignity, stability and hope for everyone.
*Names Changed to protect anonymity
