By Ahlaam Sharif
Homelessness in the UK is a problem that isn’t going away anytime soon. And evidence demonstrates that many people who are homeless also suffer from and mental health issues, although this connection is frequently disregarded.
Research by homeless charity St Mungo’s discovered that four out of 10 individuals who are homeless in the South East need emotional well-being support, with the figure ascending to more than 50 percent across the UK in general. St Mungo’s state that individuals encountering homelessness frequently face various issues, including feelings of disconnection, emotional well-being issues, and medication or alcohol use. They realize that working with individuals to comprehend their objectives, and afterward helping them to accomplish them, is the most ideal approach to defeat them.
In their 50-year history they have worked to offer homeless people a variety of help, including temporary or long-term accommodation, and have also implemented a wide range of projects intended to help individuals regain their confidence, improve their skills and abilities and hopefully to get a job.
“The charity runs many committed health services such as our Homeless Health Coordination Project,” Ethan David a support worker for St Mungo’s, told the Holloway Express.
The Health and Homelessness Project (HHP) launched in 2015 and works with reinforced housing projects through Hammersmith and Fulham to advance health access and decrease health inequalities for individuals who are homeless.
In London alone, 1,175 women were found sleeping rough by St Mungo’s outreach in 2018. St Mungo’s have a women’s strategy to address the manner in which females experience homelessness, in contrast to men. They say that their greatest test is creating an environment of physical and mental wellbeing for their female customers.
Violet Eden 24, connected with St Mungo to help her auntie who was temporarily housed and suffered from bipolar disorder. She said that her aunt has lived in many hostels but after reaching out to St Mungo’s she moved into their women-only services in North London. She has seen a massive improvement in her aunt’s health as the workers do regular check-ups and workshops.
Violet’s aunt is just one of many of St Mungo’s success stories. St Mungo has helped many other women, such as Carrie Ann who suffered with substance abuse and Mandy who has had mental health problems throughout her life, and was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder when she was 27. St Mungo offered them housing at hostels and supported them find work.
“I am so thankful for St Mungo, it was the first charity who really cared for my family,” Eden said.
A homeless man is seen on the streets. Photo by: St Mungo
Leave a Reply