Mental Health

Good housing is known to have a beneficial impact on maintaining mental health in general and this is reflected in the resources you will find throughout the Housing LIN website.

Having secure and settled accommodation, together with the right kind of support, can have a positive impact on people's lives. Housing is critical for people to work and play a full part in society. However, people with mental health problems are particularly likely to have vulnerable housing and compared with the general population are four times more likely to say that their health has been worsened by their housing.

Mental ill health is common among people who experience homelessness and rough sleepers: estimates range from one third up to 76%. An estimated 43% of clients in an average homelessness project in England are likely to have mental health needs, and 59% may have multiple needs. Estimated prevalence of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder ranges from four per cent to 40%. Much higher rates of personality disorders (65%), anxiety disorders (40%), anxiety and depression (25%) and post traumatic stress disorder (25%) are found among people who experience homelessness.

The resources listed below are about how housing related services and support can respond to the needs of people with specific mental problems, both working age and older people.

They include items about older people with 'functional' mental health problems such as depression and schizophrenia but not dementia (which is sometimes described as 'organic').

Resources more specifically for homeless people with mental health needs can be found on the Homelessness page: www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/Homelessness

The information in these pages is split between 3 topics:

• Housing options
• Older People

Updated information on policy and practice can be found at the National Mental health Development Unit www.nmhdu.org.uk