How Homelessness Affects Mental Health

Being without a home or reliable source of safety can be scary and detrimental to some people. Those same people live that nightmare on a daily basis. They go through many hardships many of us can't even imagine. Being homeless has side effects that many of us never will see. Mental illness is experienced by one-third of the homeless community and it's not hard to see why. 

For those who experience homelessness, every day is one of struggle and hardship. Finding a place to sleep, food to eat, or even shelter from the outside world. These struggles of finding basic human needs takes a toll on one's health and mental well being. Not only do they have to survive with nothing but many will also battle substance abuse, crime, and even domestic violence. 

Many people become homeless as a result of many different factors such as the loss of a loved one, a relationship breakdown, substance abuse, economic instability, and much more. People without a strong support networks can have trouble processing these traumas or have trouble coping with addiction. Since there aren't many places were the homeless are welcome, many of them will spend their days alone. 

Rates of depression and suicide are amongst the highest in those who are homeless. Confidence and self-esteem are near non-existent and is inevitably diminished by their living and life situation. The feelings of dread, defeat, and worthlessness that accompany homelessness is crippling and ever-present and this can prevent people from getting the help they need. 

For more information on homelessness and mental illness, explore these links below:

Treatment Advocacy Center

The Never-Ending Loop: Homelessness, Psychiatric Disorder, and Mortality

Post by Chase Ferrell 

November 18th, 2021