Today marks World Homeless Day, an internationally recognised day which takes place annually on 10th October. The day aims to draw attention to homelessness as a global issue, as well as highlighting the needs of people who experience homelessness within the local community.
10th October also marks World Mental Health Day, which highlights that mental health matters just as much as physical health. The day also encourages everyone to talk about mental health to reduce its stigma.
At BHT Sussex, we are well known for our work with homelessness, but we also focus much of our work on the mental health of our clients. It is therefore important for us to acknowledge both World Mental Health Day, as well as World Homeless Day.
We recognise that these issues go hand in hand with one another, as mental ill health is both a cause and a consequence of homelessness or housing insecurity. 82% of people experiencing homelessness have a mental health diagnosis (Homeless Link). With 1 in 88 people in Brighton and Hove experiencing homelessness (Shelter), we must acknowledge the overlap between homelessness and mental health. This will ensure that we continue to provide the best and most appropriate support for our clients.
To mark World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day, we have spent the past week raising awareness of these issues via social media. We have shared national statistics and facts, highlighted stories from former clients, and shared more details of some of our projects such as First Base Day Centre and our social housing. You can find this content on our X, Instagram and Facebook accounts.
David Chaffey, BHT Sussex’s Chief Executive said:
October 10th brings together World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day. As many of our clients know all too well, it is not just one day a year that these topics cross over. For someone experiencing homelessness, for someone with mental health needs, and those who are experiencing both, everyday centres around homelessness and mental health.
Homelessness can cause or exacerbate mental ill health, and vice versa, which is why preventing homelessness is so important in the services we provide. Last year we prevented 2,323 households from becoming homeless.
On this year’s World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day, let’s intensify our efforts to help those who society often leaves behind, and continue these efforts into every day of the year.”
If you would like to support our work in homelessness and mental health, please donate here, if you can.
If you require housing advice, contact details for our services in Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings can be found here.
