Housing and mental health are often linked. Living in stable, good quality, safe housing is a protective factor for good mental health and wellbeing – but poor mental health can make it harder to cope with housing problems, and being homeless or having problems where you live can make your mental health worse.
Homelessness, rough sleeping and poor living conditions can also make people feel more isolated and more likely to experience stigma and poorer health.
A World Homeless Day stall will be in Queen Square from 10am today supported by Wolverhampton BID on behalf of Alternative Giving CIO, P3, Changing Lives, Wolverhampton Homes, Good Shepherd Ministry, The Haven, SUIT and others.
John Denley, Wolverhampton’s Director of Public Health, said: “Around a quarter of people in England are likely to experience a mental health problem but, among people experiencing homelessness, and those at risk of homelessness, that number is much higher.
“As a city, we are committed to supporting people who are homeless, who may risk losing their home, or are otherwise suffering from mental health issues, and – this World Mental Health Day and World Homeless Day – I would encourage people to seek the support they, or their loved ones, may need.”
Following the Wolverhampton Homeless Health Needs Audit, recognising the barriers that people experiencing homelessness may face in accessing mental health support, homelessness and mental health has been recognised as a key priority for 2024/2025 by the One Wolverhampton Adult Mental Health Strategic Working Group.
Chair Laura Brookes said: “Poor mental health is both a cause and consequence of homelessness. Drawing on people’s lived experiences to develop a peer support model for mental health and wellbeing in Wolverhampton will enable people experiencing homelessness to access tailored support to build their social and recovery capital.”
Tom Hayden, Chief Executive Officer of the Good Shepherd Wolverhampton, added: “At the Good Shepherd, we offer a range of services to support people experiencing many complex issues including homelessness and mental health, and, so often, those two will be linked.org.uk.
Seen someone sleeping rough? Connect them with support by making a referral through StreetLink.
For information about support services for homeless people see Street Support Wolverhampton.
Good Shepherd Wolverhampton and P3 offer support programmes for those in crisis and people experiencing homelessness, including help with accessing accommodation.
Tailored advice for landlords and tenants in the private sector can be found at Rent With Confidence.
Support with the cost of living support is available through the council at Cost of Living Support and further information can be found on the Government’s Help for Households website.
If you would like to take action to help, Alternative Giving gathers donations online or through its 16 donation points and two ‘tap to donate’ points around the city centre. 100% of these donations are then directed to organisations and charities that work to provide long term support for the city’s vulnerable and homeless people. Find out more at Wolverhampton Change.