There are about 250,000 people in the U.S. dealing with mental illness and homelessness.

Mental illness and homelessness is really a two-way street and it’s hard to say if one causes the other. While many studies show that homelessness can be a traumatic experience that influences symptoms of mental illness, mental illness can also be a cause for someone to ultimately face homelessness. We don’t have studies that show one affects the other. What we do know, though, is that it’s common to experience both, and many aren’t getting the help they need.

Mental illness was the third largest cause of homelessness for single adults in a U.S. Conference of Mayors survey.

Homelessness is a lonely and stressful time for most. It can easily heighten any symptoms of mental illness. And dealing with a mental illness, whether you’re facing homelessness or not, can be debilitating. 

Types of mental illnesses common in those facing homelessness:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Substance abuse

Unfortunately, many don’t get the help they need.

“At any given time, there are many more people with untreated severe psychiatric illnesses living on America’s streets than are receiving care in hospitals.” – Mental Illness Policy

Getting help means the ability to afford and obtain the medicine you need. It means access and financial means for a therapist. It means medical assistance. It can mean many different things, but for those experiencing homelessness, they don’t have the tools they need to gain control of their mental illness. It is another added stress for those living on the streets. 

It also goes beyond treating a mental illness. Many are already dealing with inadequate hygiene due to homelessness, and combined with their mental illness and inability to take care of it, physical problems may follow. Things like respiratory infections, skin diseases, or exposure to tuberculosis or HIV are very common. This is when it starts to spiral out of control.

This is why Atlanta Mission has counselors on staff. Once we meet the basic needs of clients, we are able to triage and assess any other immediate needs they have – including any mental illnesses that need to be addressed. We are then able to point each individual to the best next step, whether it’s us helping them or other providers. Our ultimate goal is to get them healthy, become rooted in community, and sustain and share hope.