The Connection Between Mental Health and Homelessness
Learn about the connection between mental health and homelessness, why early support matters, and where Ohio families can find help and resources.
Homelessness and mental health are closely connected, but the relationship is complex. People experiencing homelessness often exhibit higher rates of mental health concerns like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Housing instability can worsen mental health problems, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. Many people experiencing homelessness also face financial, social, and systemic barriers to getting the mental health support they need.
Homelessness can create ongoing stress and disrupt basic daily needs such as sleep, safety, routines, and self-care. Those disruptions can make emotional and behavioral health concerns harder to manage. Children and teens experiencing homelessness may also face added challenges related to development, learning, emotional well-being, and access to consistent support.
Additionally, trauma related to homelessness, including victimization and domestic violence, can cause enduring psychological effects like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Addressing these challenges often requires a broader support system that includes access to mental health care, stable housing, community resources, and family support. By providing access to these resources and ensuring that these vulnerable populations get appropriate social support and treatment, we can break the cycle of homelessness.
How are Mental Health and Homelessness Connected?
In some cases, mental health challenges may make it harder to keep up with work, school, relationships, or daily responsibilities that support housing stability. In other cases, the stress and trauma of homelessness can worsen existing mental health concerns or contribute to new ones.
Some quick statistics about homelessness in America:
- Approximately 67% to 77% of people experiencing homelessness face mental health issues.
- Many people experiencing homelessness struggle with anxiety, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, and substance use disorder.
- Between 2018 and 2024, the count of people experiencing homelessness on a single night rose by nearly 40%. This reached over 771,000 individuals, of whom about 36% were in unsheltered locations.
- In 2024, more than 80% of people experiencing homelessness were adults. The number of homeless children increased at twice the rate of adults.
- The Southern and Western states experienced a greater proportion of unsheltered homelessness compared to other regions in the country in 2024.
- In 2024, approximately 68% of people experiencing homelessness were people of color.
- Adults experiencing homelessness had a high prevalence of severe mental illness, substance use disorder, and HIV/AIDS in 2024.
Most researchers agree that the link between homelessness and mental illness is complex and bidirectional. Mental health issues may cause cognitive and behavioral challenges that hinder income and functioning, which are crucial for maintaining housing. Additionally, the coexistence of mental illness and homelessness can exacerbate other issues, such as increased substance use.
People experiencing homelessness also face higher risk of violence and victimization, which can further affect mental health and housing stability.
The connection between mental health and homelessness also includes:
- Bidirectional Relationship: Mental health issues can result in income loss, strained relationships, and behavioral problems that contribute to housing instability. Conversely, living without shelter, with its danger, uncertainty, and persistent stress, can trigger or worsen mental health conditions.
- High Prevalence Rates: More than 67% of individuals experiencing homelessness have a lifetime prevalence of mental health disorders. They also have higher rates of severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression.
- Trauma and Co-occurring Disorders: Many people experiencing homelessness have histories of child abuse, foster care involvement, or other trauma. Substance use disorder may also co-occur with untreated trauma and other ongoing stressors.
- Unsheltered vs. Sheltered Risks: Unhoused individuals face higher rates of severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and depression compared to temporarily housed individuals.
- Cyclical Nature: Mental illness hinders access to employment and stable housing, while homelessness worsens symptoms. This forms a difficult-to-break cycle that requires comprehensive support services.
Mental health and homelessness coincide in many ways. This May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, we urge everyone to explore homelessness prevention and resources in Ohio.
Ways Early Intervention May Help Prevent Homelessness
Early intervention helps prevent homelessness by addressing housing issues, financial crises, and family conflicts before they worsen. It provides tools such as crisis support, rent assistance, legal mediation, and rapid rehousing for those at risk. Key strategies also include mental health and addiction treatment, social services, and community resources to maintain stable living situations.
How Counseling Can Support Homelessness Prevention
Counseling can support homelessness prevention by targeting the root causes of housing instability. It uses financial education, mental health support, and crisis intervention to help people. Housing counselors assist with budgeting, rental assistance, and employment coaching. Behavioral counselors provide trauma-informed care and help stabilize mental health or substance use issues. These efforts prevent housing loss and support long-term stability.
What Role Does Case Management Play?
Case management is a person-focused approach that plays a vital role in homelessness prevention. It includes assessment, planning, and connecting individuals to resources that can help them improve their health and lives. The goal is to help at-risk individuals keep their housing and continue any counseling or treatment that will keep them stable.
Case managers aim to prevent homelessness by tackling its root causes. They provide emergency financial aid, eviction prevention, and landlord mediation. They also link clients with employment and mental health support. Effective case management turns chaotic situations into organized action plans, emphasizing both quick crisis resolution and long-term independence.
Where can Ohio Residents Find Local Support Resources?
Ohio residents who are homeless can quickly access local help by dialing 2-1-1 to connect with community services. They should also consult the resource guide provided by the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO). Larger cities provide specialized services, including the Community Shelter Board in Columbus and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) in Cleveland.
- 2-1-1 Information Helpline: Call 2-1-1 or visit 211.org to locate nearby emergency shelters, rent help, and utility support.
- COHHIO Services Locator: Offers a detailed map to find local organizations providing housing support, rent assistance, and shelters throughout Ohio.
- HUD Find Shelter Tool: Assists in locating local services such as housing, food, and clothing, including Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).
Regional Organizations:
- Columbus/Franklin County: Community Shelter Board (CSB) — Provides shelter and re-housing services.
- Northeast Ohio (Cleveland): NEOCH – Emphasizes outreach and advocacy efforts.
- Across the state: the Salvation Army and Volunteers of America (VOA) offer shelters, hot meals, and case management services.
Housing Assistance & Tools
- Ohio Housing Locator: An online tool to find affordable apartments and homes.
- Emergency Assistance: Find local services via the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health and Addiction Services.
Specialized Support
- Local school districts have designated liaisons to assist homeless youth and students in accessing housing and educational services.
- Veterans can use the HUD tool or dial 2-1-1 to locate specialized housing assistance for veterans.
First dial 2-1-1 to obtain tailored referrals for the closest available resources.
Mental Health Support in Ohio with Mahajan Therapeutics
Our comprehensive mental health services support families and youths facing or at risk of homelessness. We provide all patients with the community resources needed to achieve housing, financial, and vocational stability. Clients complete our program equipped with the tools to establish and sustain a stable living environment for their families. We also provide mental health services as well as substance use disorder treatment and sober living homes for those in need.
At Mahajan Therapeutics, we consider education essential in the fight against homelessness. We provide programs for children in grades K-12 to help them develop basic academic, social, and emotional skills. With these tools, they can continue to develop their strengths and excel as they grow.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or someone you know break the cycle of homelessness.