Mental Health

Poor mental health is both a cause and a consequence of homelessness.

• Cause: Life events like family breakdowns, job loss, trauma, or bereavement can put you under enormous pressure, leading to poor mental health. When this builds up, and you don’t have the correct support around you, your risk of homelessness can dramatically increase.
• Consequence: Homelessness is brutal and traumatic. It’s an emotionally and physically painful and lonely experience that can exacerbate existing conditions or lead to new mental health problems.

Over 60% of the people we support have mental health problems, compared to 25% of the general population who experience a mental health problem each year.

When you’ve been through so much, you need space and time and a professional to help you process trauma, develop better-coping mechanisms and improve your mental health and quality of life.

Bridging the gap

Statutory mental health services are not often designed to meet the complex needs of people experiencing homelessness. The support offered is too brief, low-level or not person-centred. These services usually exclude people who are using substances. But what happens if you’re using these to help you cope with the trauma because you’re not receiving the professional help you need? It’s a catch-22 situation.

My support has been excellent. The staff have been there for me every step of the way. I have wobbles with my mental health, and I've struggled to ask for help in the past, but I'm starting to rebuild myself. I've learnt how to share my feelings when I struggle. It's the first time I can do this.

Rebecca lost her home after her mental health deteriorated.

This leaves a significant gap in support for those experiencing homelessness, especially people with more severe or long-standing mental health problems. Without the right care, this can create a vicious cycle, trapping people in homelessness. This isn’t right.

We believe in meeting people where they are and giving them the support they need from day one.

Our approach to better mental health

Mental health support is embedded in our services and is a vital part of every Londoner’s journey to recovery.

Whether working with clients facing severe conditions like psychosis or providing everyday well-being guidance, our approach is tailored to each person. We encourage open conversations about mental health, focusing on resilience, strengths and goals, not just diagnoses and a label.

Our experts will work closely with our clients, including providing support with managing their medication, accessing treatment, and developing well-being plans.

We want every Londoner we support to have the skills to live independently, feel empowered to manage their mental health in the future and be resilient to future challenges. 

Specialist therapy services

We provide weekly, bespoke counselling and psychotherapy to our clients at our services, particularly for people using substances and with specific mental health diagnoses.

We work in a holistic and person-centred way, acknowledging the complex realities our clients have experienced – such as rough sleeping, substance use, hostel living, and the stigma surrounding homelessness.

Nearly 800 therapy sessions delivered to our adults and young people residents

82% of the Londoners we support show positive improvement in mental health following therapy

The space is safe and non-judgmental, where individuals can process their experiences, explore their emotions, and work towards healing and recovery.

Far too often, individuals with mental health challenges are told they cannot achieve their goals. We empower them to rebuild their lives, feel confident in managing their wellbeing and take control of their lives towards a brighter future.