In the bustling city streets of Atlanta, there exists a world often overlooked. Aria, Bill, Vicky, and Carter, among countless others, represent four of many individuals who call the streets their home. Their stories look a lot like the men, women, and children who walk through our doors struggling with homelessness and mental illness and remind us of the importance of looking beyond surface perceptions. 

The faces of homelessness

Aria and her three children are wondering where they will sleep tonight. Aria cannot afford to live in a hotel room anymore and has no family or friends to rely on. She couldn’t afford childcare, so she could not get a job. She tries hard to keep her children in school, but they only make it there a few times per week. 

Bill has been living under a bridge downtown for years. He has relied on handouts from passing pedestrians and homeless service agencies. The horrible things he has seen or experienced make it hard for him to trust anyone. He can’t remember the last time anyone has called him by his name or looked him in the eyes.

On the outside, Vicky looks like a successful business professional. No one at her job would know that she has been living in her car the last few months. She couldn’t afford to keep paying for her mother’s nursing home, her student loans, and her apartment. This morning at work, she was informed that she was getting let go because of pay cuts. She is at a loss for what to do next. 

And then there’s Carter, who has been couch-surfing with different friends for years. His wife and children won’t allow him back in their home because of his drug addiction. Work has been unsteady. He was just kicked out of his friend’s house, and has no one else to turn to. He has burned all his bridges and has no hope for the future.

Looking beyond the stereotypes

Aria, Bill, Vicky, and Carter each have their unique problems that have led them to homelessness, but they all have something in common. They have each experienced trauma and loss, and are all struggling with mental illness. To effectively end their homelessness, we must focus on their mental health. 

As we acknowledge Mental Health Awareness Month in May, let’s challenge the stigmas that surround homelessness and mental illness. Homelessness is not simply a result of laziness or poor choices, but rather a complex issue that can stem from a wide variety of reasons.

Just as we can’t point out homelessness in all people, we can’t point out mental health struggles in every individual we encounter. So the next time you find yourself passing by someone living on the streets, remember that their struggles may run deeper than meets the eye. Choose empathy over judgment, kindness over indifference. For in the end, it is our capacity to connect and help one another, despite our differences, that truly makes us human. 

Join us during Atlanta Mission Mental Health Awareness Week from May 20th – May 24th as we shine light on the importance of mental health support for those facing homelessness. Stay up to date by following us on Instagram and TikTok and subscribing to our emails below.