Homelessness organisations call for more action in run up to World Mental Health Day

8 October 2009

Homeless Link is one of seven homelessness organisations to sign up to a letter calling for more mental health support services for homeless people in the run up to World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10 October.

The letter, to be sent to MPs and other supporters, reads:

"As many people prepare to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October, we want to highlight the continuing lack of adequate and appropriate mental health support services for rough sleepers and homeless people in the UK, and those at risk of homelessness.

Research paints a bleak picture. Around a third of rough sleepers in London are recognised as having mental health problems. The Seeds of Exclusion research from The Salvation Army revealed that more than a third of homeless clients they surveyed nationally had attempted suicide at least once, with around six out of ten having paranoid personality disorder. Homeless Link's national Survey of Needs of Provision shows that a third of clients in homelessness services experience poor mental health, with this rising to 43 per cent of day centre clients. Crisis figures show similar findings of homeless people suffering disproportionately from mental health problems, while St Mungo's research points to this being the tip of the iceberg if significant psychological disorders are also taken into account. In addition, Centrepoint experience has highlighted major inconsistencies between child and adult mental health care, resulting in many, particularly 16 to 18 year olds, with mental health problems being left unsupported or undiagnosed.

How can we continue to allow people with a mental illness to sleep on our pavements? Why do those recovering from traumatic childhoods of physical, emotional or sexual abuse make up such a high proportion of rough sleepers and homeless hostel residents? Why aren't we able to offer the best mental health treatment and support to those who need it most before they end up homeless?

We urge Phil Hope MP, Care Services Minister, to include a commitment in the Government's New Horizons framework strategy for better mental health services that specifically recognises the needs of homeless people - and a commitment that no-one with a diagnosed mental illness should be left rough sleeping by 2012. The World Health Organization predicts that within 20 years more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem. That must not turn into a rough sleeping and homelessness problem.

What do homeless people themselves suggest? From St Mungo's peer research produced in July, they want more specialist support when and where they need it, through drop-in centres and on-site mental health workers and better tailored long-term care from front-line services working together more effectively than they do now. They deserve nothing less.

Jenny Edwards, Homeless Link

Charles Fraser CBE, St Mungo's

Leslie Morphy, Crisis

Howard Sinclair, Broadway

Jeremy Swain, Thames Reach

Major Ray Irving, Salvation Army

Seyi Obakin, Centrepoint

Mike McCall, Executive Director of Operations at St Mungo's, said: "World Mental Health Day has become a notable date in the calendar. We wanted to make the point that much more needs to be done for homeless people with mental health problems - from severe and enduring illnesses to personality disorders. Across the sector, we're working hard to get this message across every day to ministers, MPs and to local councillors and health representatives. This is a fresh opportunity to make ourselves heard."

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