03 June 2009
A homelessness charity is seeking the views of youth workers and those working with ex-offenders and prisoners as its Call for Evidence on mental ill health and homelessness draws to a close on 10 June.
St Mungo's, London's largest homelessness agency, has already received Call for Evidence contributions from local authorities, the NHS, housing associations, third sector services providers and lobby organisations.
It is looking to hear from individuals or organisations working with young people, those in care, and those involved with the probation service or ex-offender groups to gather a broad range of expert opinion on how best to break the link between mental ill health and homelessness.
This Call for Evidence was launched in April, when the charity warned that the government was at risk of failing to achieve its 2012 zero rough sleeping target if the link between mental health and homelessness were not better served. The findings will be published in a major report in the autumn.
The charity is asking experts to focus on:
St Mungo's has also asked homeless people their views about mental health and homelessness. A peer research project, with homeless people interviewing others, will be published during St Mungo's 40th anniversary Action Week from 5-12 July 2009. This snapshot of views will then feed into the main Call for Evidence report.
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 know that the experience of many homeless people with mental illness is characterised by a vicious circle, where this group avoids services, and many mainstream services avoid this group. To break the cycle, we need to develop our understanding of the problem by broadening the evidence base, to share a wider understanding of what works for this group and what doesn't, and to engage further with partners in the successful design and delivery of accessible and effective services.
"We invite those in a range of related health, housing and care services to contribute to our Call for Evidence so we can really achieve more for this often forgotten group."
To contribute to the St Mungo's Call for Evidence consultation, please go email call4evidence@mungos.org to register your interest in submitting. The Call for Evidence submission deadline is 10 June 2009. The final report will be published in autumn 2009.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
Mental health: "a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community" (WHO).
Mental illness: A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioural pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as part of normal development or culture.
Homelessness: refers to the 'non-priority' homeless group, as defined in the 1996 Housing Act, the group of statutory homeless people not considered a priority for local authority housing and sleep rough or in hostels and shelters.