A local Salford charity is calling for urgent action to be taken on homeless mental health as a new survey shares “unacceptable” results.
The health audit survey shared that three quarters of people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless identify as having mental health problems.
The survey was conducted across Manchester, Bury and Salford, with 78 per cent compared with 12.7 per cent of the general population showing mental health issues.
With the homeless community being severely impacted Amanda Croome, Head of Homelessness for Caritas Salford shared her concerns.
As she said: “There’s a staggering disparity between the health and wellbeing of people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and the wider general public in our area.
“The difference in the statistics when compared with the general population is completely unacceptable.”
The impact to the homeless community is staggering, with 88 per cent of those surveyed sharing that they wanted help with either accessing services or to improve their health and wellbeing.
The high number of those looking for help and accessing services further indicates that there is a significant inequality in support that exist for the homeless.
As Amanda continued: “The huge difference in these figures shows a real issue that needs addressing urgently before it’s too late for many of the people affected.”
Throughout the survey it also highlighted that 73 per cent identified as having at least one physical health condition, compared with 50 per cent of the general population.
And with the governments statistic sharing that “the mean age of death for men who are homeless is 45 years and for women 43 years”, more has to be done to provide support.
With Amanda continuing to share her concerns, adding: “ It’s not acceptable and is totally preventable with the right measures and support systems in place.
“It won’t wait.”
The Cartias Salford is a charity which supports people from across Greater Manchester via anti-poverty services, aimed at helping people experiencing poverty, homelessness and disadvantage to transform their lives.
The charity had set up a homeless health hub project in February 2024, funded by NHS Charities Together, as it aims to address health inequalities.
The launch of the health hubs have been significant to protecting the health of the homeless, as continued to speak on their benefit: “It can be hard to find accessible health care so these hubs are vital to ensure people don’t fall through the net.”
One person who accessed the health hub said: “Since being homeless my depression has definitely got worse.
“It’s good to know that there is a drop-in here as I will come next week for some support.”
Another who has been linked with a specialist worker, added: “If I didn’t come to Cornerstone I would probably never have gone on a script…
“I was rough sleeping so it was difficult to keep hold of my phone and keep appointments.”
They continued: “I really am in a better place now and also in accommodation.”
And although proper support is being provided Amanda insisted that these aren’t enough to support the wide community.
She continued: “While these hubs will continue, we also want to see urgent action from others in our area, including key decision makers at a local, regional and national level.”
In response to this, on the Wednesday 9 October, there will be a health drop in fair held in Moss Side which will aim to support those affected.
People who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless and would like support for their mental or physical health and wellbeing can attend a free drop in event on 9 October.
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