1. THE FORGOTTEN
ONE’S
THE MARGINALIZATION
OF THE
DISENFRACHISED
Mental Health and Homelessness:

2. Mr Johnson admitted he is going
to struggle to hit a target of
ending rough sleeping by 31
December.
Could this be a possible
place to sleep ?

3. .
forgotten street SW1

4. Generally it is
considered that
having a safe,
affordable
home is a basic
Human need
homelessness can contribute to a person developing a
mental health problem. The stress related to trying to
manage these issues can also make people with
existing mental health problems more vulnerable to
relapse were their mental health deteriorates requiring
more support.

5. Some homeless people
with chronic psychosis
may appear well

6. . In the substance misuse treatment population
alone, 670 people are thought to have a
personality disorder, with 1,274 from the
homeless population
Identifying the needs of this population proves a challenge due to
the lack of an evidence for interventions and consensus around
the proportion of people who need specialist care.

7. Mental health problems can
both cause and be a
consequence of
homelessness.

8. professionals are
reluctant to
undertake
compulsory
admission, even
when there is
clear
evidence of self
neglect and
vulnerability.

9. To admit or not to
admit?
An inpatient ward
does not
seem appropriate.
This creates the
apparent dilemma
around admission
for ‘social’ rather
than ‘medical’
reasons.
A good night’s sleep ?

10. Homeless people are among the most
vulnerable in our society, often suffering from
significant and multiple health inequalities.
professionals who support them report that
they are often marginalised and left without
sufficient and effective support to deliver their
service.

11. There are fewer than
five specialist
clinical psychology
posts in England
specifically serving
homeless populations.

12. Admit or not to admit continued
Assessing the severity of illness may also be difficult, in that hostel / shelter
staff and residents may be very tolerant of challenging or unusual behaviour
and this can lead to health and social care staff being inappropriately
reassured. Some homeless people with chronic psychosis may appear so well
adapted to their condition, albeit to living on the streets, that professionals are
reluctant to undertake compulsory admission, even when there is clear
evidence of self neglect and vulnerability. This reluctance can result in delays
in the obtaining of key information which might, for instance, trigger the
restarting of previously prescribed medication which may enable the person to
accept and retain accommodation. Admission for assessment and
investigation should be considered seriously in these cases.

14. The evidence is clear, whilst
progress has been made, too many
homeless
people still experience mental ill
health, and we have not yet got right
the
frameworks and services to respond
to their needs. We also need to
recognise
the full spectrum of mental health
problems from common mental
health issues
to psychosis; the differing needs of HAVE THINGS
particular groups of homeless
people; and to REALLY
ensure services and approaches are
tailored accordingly.
IMPROVED ?