St Mungo’s and Crisis warn zero rough sleeping target under threat if mental health services for homeless not improved

01 April 2009

The Government will fail to achieve its target of no rough sleepers on the streets by 2012, if it continues to ignore the lack of services for homeless people with mental health problems, warned homelessness charities Crisis and St Mungo's today.

St Mungo's, London's largest homelessness charity, said that around 35 per cent of the homeless people it supports have severe and enduring diagnosed mental illnesses. However, in a survey of residents in a St Mungo's shelter for homeless people, a Southampton University psychologist found that up to as many as 85 per cent of residents were in poor mental health, with a range of personality, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorders - none of whom had been formally diagnosed with mental health problems.

Crisis, the national charity for single homeless people, has today released a review of literature on mental health, entitled Mental Ill Health in the Adult Single Homeless Population.

The report emphasises that the prevalence of mental health problems is far higher amongst homeless people than the general population. Street homeless people, for example, are between 50 and 100 times more likely to have a psychotic disorder than the general population. Homeless women, refugees and asylum seekers and those from black and ethnic minority communities, as well as those who also misuse drugs or alcohol are particularly affected. Rates of mortality and personality disorder are also high with too many people homeless people relying on emergency services and not accessing the long term support and care they need. A new strategic focus and new service approaches are required, drawing from best practice and international experiences, that combine the provision of appropriate accommodation with psychiatric care and support designed around the needs of the individual.

St Mungo's is announcing today a ten-week national Call for Evidence to bring together best practice on mental health and homelessness from mental health specialists, housing, social care and homelessness organisations, MPs, local authorities and a range of central, local and voluntary organisations. The charity plans to publish the findings in a major report in autumn 2009, focusing on:

  • The causes of homelessness among people with mental health problems
  • What helps prevent or resolve homelessness among people with mental health problems
  • Examples of best practice for those who are homeless and have a mental illness

Charles Fraser, Chief Executive of St Mungo's, said: "Despite the very welcome reduction in the numbers of rough sleepers over the last decade, the proportion with a mental illness has remained static at around a third. These are often the individuals with the most intractable problems, who need the most determined help, and it is reprehensible they are not getting it.

"We urgently need to find out more about the causes, the true state of mental health among rough sleepers and ways of supporting them that enable them to rebuild their lives. Our Call for Evidence aims to bring together research and offer recommendations for a better way forward. No one with a mental illness should be left to sleep rough on the streets. We have to offer more to help these people already living on the margins of society."

Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: "The link between homelessness and mental health problems is well known. Yet despite all the evidence we still do not have the right services and support in place to address what is both such a common cause and consequence of homelessness.

"We were delighted with last year's commitment by both the Government and the Mayor of London to end rough sleeping - now we must see action to follow the words, to save people from the terrible toll rough sleeping takes on people's lives and mental health. Without tackling the mental health problems of all homeless people, the Government is never going to be able to keep its promise of ending rough sleeping by 2012."

St Mungo's is also asking its clients their views about mental health and homelessness. A peer research project, with homeless people interviewing others about their views and experiences, will begin shortly with the findings published during St Mungo's 40th anniversary Action Week from 4-12 July 2009. This snapshot of views will then feed into the main Call for Evidence report.

To contribute to the St Mungo's Call for Evidence consultation, please go to http://www.mungos.org/call4evidence or email call4evidence@mungos.org to register your interest in submitting. The Call for Evidence runs from 1 April to 10 June 2009. The final report will be published in autumn 2009.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

* For further information, contact Judith Higgin, St Mungo's Media and Campaign Manager, on 020 8762 5645, judith.higgin@mungos.org

* St Mungo's is one of the UK's leading charities for homeless people. We provide over 100 accommodation and support services, day in and day out. We run emergency services - including street outreach and emergency shelter. We support homeless people in their recovery - opening the door to safe housing, health care and work, and help homeless people into lasting new homes, training and employment. We also prevent homelessness through our complex needs housing and support teams for people at real risk.

* This year St Mungo's celebrates its 40th anniversary year. Events will include a St Mungo's Action Week from 4-12 July 2009, the launch of a £1m fundraising appeal on mental health and the publication of research about mental health and homelessness.

* Crisis' latest publication is a review of the latest national and international literature on mental ill health in the adult single homeless population. Download the report for free at http://www.crisis.org.uk/publications_djhsearch.php?submitted=S&fullitem=235

* For further media information or to request an interview with Crisis spokespeople, please contact Garry Lemon, Campaigns Manager, at Crisis on 020 7426 3863 or garry.lemon@crisis.org.uk

Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. We are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. We are determined campaigners, working to prevent people from becoming homeless and advocating solutions informed by research and our direct experience. We have ambitious plans for the future and are committed to help more people in more places across the UK. We know we won't end homelessness overnight or on our own. But we take a lead, collaborate with others and, together, make change happen.

Back to latest press releases

Related content