Introduction
Mental health is one of the most important factors contributing to a person’s life, including professional development, personal relationships, and health. Mental illnesses can have varying effects on these spheres, disrupting one’s ability to communicate, learn, and integrate into communities. Furthermore, they may impact an individual’s financial and housing stability, meaning that they may not have enough money to rent or buy a house or apartment. As such, homelessness appears to be a problem to which people with mental illness may be exposed.
However, it is necessary to review the research and determine whether mental health can be considered a strong predictor and contributor to persistent homelessness. The present essay argues that people with mental illness, especially if it is severe, are at a higher risk of being homeless. Furthermore, the paper poses that when homeless, people with mental health issues are met with stigma and a lack of systemic support, which leads to them being unable to regain housing stability.
Ethical Foundations of Social Relationships
The discussion of homelessness and mental illness requires one to review the ethical principles related to human relationships. In this case, such social issues as justice, equity, and human rights must be considered. First, equity implies equal access to support and opportunities for people, regardless of their sociocultural and financial characteristics (Aldridge, 2020). Second, justice and human rights refer to the need to treat people according to the same standards while providing help to vulnerable and disenfranchised groups (Aldridge, 2020).
Homelessness is an ethical issue as it deals with people who have limited means and experience a lack of essential comforts, such as housing, which is required for personal and professional development. Mental health is another factor that influences one’s ability to participate in society and requires systemic support as a way of providing people with the same opportunities.
How Mental Health and Homelessness Are Connected
Statistics
One may look at the statistics to understand the connection between homelessness and mental health. It is reported that approximately 20% of all Americans have a severe mental illness, while about 5% of the residents report having a severe condition (Fraieli, 2021). At the same time, research shows that among homeless people, almost 25% – a quarter of the group – are identified as having a severe mental illness (Fraieli, 2021). The comparison of these numbers reveals a significant difference between the two populations, demonstrating that people who experience homelessness are much more likely to have a serious mental health issue than people in general. Thus, this information causes one to ask whether a connection between mental health and not having a home exists, and which of the two issues contributes to the other.
Bidirectional Relationship Between Mental Health and Homelessness
The research reveals that the relationship between the two factors is two-sided. Padgett (2020) and Iwundu et al. (2020) argue that serious mental health problems increase the risk of being homeless for young people as well as adults. Here, it should be noted that “severe” illnesses are defined as being disruptive to one’s ability to complete basic activities, socialize, work, and study (Padgett, 2020).
For example, a person with severe schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder may remove themselves from social situations or be unable to participate in daily activities if they do not receive support and medication (Fraieli, 2021). As an outcome, Padgett (2020) supports the argument that mental illness is a significant contributing factor to the risk of becoming homeless. As severe conditions disrupt people’s ability to participate in work, their financial instability makes them unable to afford housing. Moreover, some illnesses lead to individuals having no social support systems, further restricting their options for finding a living space.
Mental Illness and Youth Homelessness
Mental health can influence one’s risk of losing a home at a young age. Iwundu et al. (2020) find that more than a quarter of young people list mental illness as the reason for their homelessness. Some specific conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are most prevalent in the considered sample, increasing the risk for young respondents (Iwundu et al., 2020). Other conditions include major depression and anxiety, although the two disorders listed previously are listed most often as precursors rather than outcomes. Iwundu et al. (2020) note that a related factor that impacts the youth’s homelessness rates is their limited access to healthcare services due to the lack of autonomy and financial capacity. Thus, the onset of homelessness at a young age connects both age and mental health factors.
Stigma and Systemic Barriers for Homeless Individuals with Mental Illness
The other side of the relationship between mental illnesses and homelessness is that homeless people with mental illnesses experience difficulties finding housing due to mental health-related stigma and a lack of systemic support. Mejia-Lancheros et al. (2020) argue that homeless individuals experience discrimination based on their status, and it is compounded for those with mental health issues. The main factors contributing to discriminatory behavior are substance use, the severity of symptoms, suicidality, and psychotic features (Mejia-Lancheros et al., 2020). Thus, the study shows that people showing signs of these behaviors are stigmatized by society and viewed negatively. It is possible to argue that such a view of homeless people with mental illnesses prevents them from getting support, reintegrating into society, and finding financial stability, further solidifying their restricted access to housing.
Health Consequences of Stigma and Homelessness
At the same time, the negative view of homeless people contributes to the group’s physical and psychological well-being. Reilly et al. (2022) find that chronic disease and poor overall health are linked to homelessness due to a variety of factors, including living conditions and insufficient financial resources. In this case, stigma affects people’s health when they cannot access healthcare services or experience prejudiced treatment from medical professionals (Reilly et al., 2022).
This study’s findings are connected to the previous articles, showing a presence of bias against homeless people and revealing how mental illness prevents homeless people from improving their housing conditions. People experiencing severe symptoms are unable to receive proper treatment due to stigma, which makes it almost impossible to find a job and gain financial stability. Moreover, it potentially affects their physical health and leads to the development of more severe symptoms.
Limitations of Government Support Systems
The social stigma of mental illness and homelessness affects the ways in which the system is designed to help or control individuals. According to Fraieli (2021), government systems for supporting homeless people and those with mental illnesses exist, but they are insufficient or poorly designed to address the population’s problems. First, severe mental health issues may qualify one for disability, but they require one to have a low income, which restricts a person to an impoverished lifestyle and a low quality of life.
As noted above, homelessness negatively affects mental and physical health, which effectively negates the potential support the government may provide. Furthermore, being unable to afford expensive medication but needing support places homeless people in a difficult position where they have to sacrifice some expenses to afford other products (Fraieli, 2021). As a result, homelessness contributes to the inability to get proper treatment.
Interactions with Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Another negative outcome of the homeless status on people with mental illnesses is their exposure and vulnerability to law enforcement mistreatment. Spatzer (2021) argues that the present criminal justice system is not equipped to respond to people undergoing mental crises. At the same time, it is reported that homeless people are more exposed to the public, thus being at a higher risk of interactions with law enforcement (Fraieli, 2021; Spatzer, 2021).
These factors contribute to the negative view of homeless mentally ill people who are dealt with through arrest. Fraieli (2021) further supports the research, highlighting frequent arrests of the homeless, especially among those who have severe mental illnesses. The lack of police training in mental health and the stigma discussed above create a hostile environment for homeless people, preventing them from improving both their well-being and financial situation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the connection between homelessness and mental illnesses can be viewed from both directions, as the two factors influence one another. One’s mental health, especially with severe symptoms, negatively affects the person’s place in society, work, and personal relationships, increasing the risk of homelessness. Simultaneously, homeless people with mental health issues struggle to get support and are met with negative stigma and mistreatment, which contributes to their well-being. Thus, the relationship between the two concepts has to be approached by acknowledging their interconnectedness and recognizing that both issues must be targeted when supporting the vulnerable population. Furthermore, it can be argued that mental illness and homelessness cannot be resolved separately, but the improvement of one factor may positively influence the other.
References
Aldridge, R. (2020). Homelessness: A barometer of social justice. The Lancet Public Health, 5(1), e2-e3. Web.
Fraieli, A. (2021). The nuances of mental illness and homelessness. The Homeless Voice. Web.
Iwundu, C. N., Chen, T. A., Edereka-Great, K., Businelle, M. S., Kendzor, D. E., & Reitzel, L. R. (2020). Mental illness and youth-onset homelessness: A retrospective study among adults experiencing homelessness. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(22), 8295. Web.
Mejia-Lancheros, C., Lachaud, J., O’Campo, P., Wiens, K., Nisenbaum, R., Wang, R., Hwang, S. W., & Stergiopoulos, V. (2020). Trajectories and mental health-related predictors of perceived discrimination and stigma among homeless adults with mental illness. PloS One, 15(2), e0229385. Web.
Padgett, D. K. (2020). Homelessness, housing instability and mental health: Making the connections. BJPsych Bulletin, 44(5), 197-201. Web.
Reilly, J., Ho, I., & Williamson, A. (2022). A systematic review of the effect of stigma on the health of people experiencing homelessness. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30, 2128-2141. Web.
Spatzer, J. (2021). Policing and mental health: The current criminal justice approach to a public health issue. Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science, 9(1), 4. Web.