In general, 30-40% of those experiencing homelessness have a mental illness (this figure climbs to 76% in one international study of wealthy countries that also included substance use disorders).
An estimated 20–25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from serious mental health issues, compared to only 4–6% of the general population.
Results: A feeling of happiness was described by 64% of participants and confirmed by a happiness scale score of 50%. Participants who felt satisfied with their life were 4.5-fold more likely to feel happy (p = 0.021).
Research suggests that those experiencing mental illness are more likely to experience homelessness (25% vs 10%) during their lifetime (ABS, 2016) with trauma and associated mental illness being a significant factor in long-term homelessness (O'Donnell et al., 2014).
About 30% of people who are chronically homeless have mental health conditions. About 50% have co-occurring substance use problems.
Realistically in Australia, most people experiencing homelessness are hidden from sight. They could be sleeping in a car, couch surfing or enduring the night on public buses. They may have shelter but no permanent place to make a home. These are the “hidden homeless”.
Overall, the average life expectancy of homeless people is 42 to 52 years old. If assistance isn't available until someone reaches 65 years old, then he or she may be dead by then.
Life on the streets can be a demeaning, humiliating and, at times, dehumanizing experience. Clearly, living without material comforts is only one part of the plight. The mental struggle caused by isolation and abuse is often an even more difficult burden to bear.
Homelessness is traumatic. People experiencing homelessness often live with a multitude of personal challenges, such as the sudden loss of a home or adjusting to conditions of shelter life. Some people, particularly women, may have histories of trauma, including sexual, psychological, or physical abuse.
I think some homeless people may be happy and some may not be. Homelessness is very challenging to survive and sadly many don't survive it. That being said, being homeless has been the only way for me to experience the world in the unique way that only being homeless can enable you to experience.
The median age of the homeless increased from 37 to 46 over the study waves, at a rate of 0.66 years per calendar year (P < 0.01). The median total time homeless increased from 12 to 39.5 months (P < 0.01). Emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and chronic health conditions increased.
The short-term effects of living on the streets include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, panic attacks, paranoia, hallucinations (common among schizophrenic homeless), and even suicide attempts.
Homelessness, in turn, amplifies poor mental health. The stress of experiencing homelessness may exacerbate previous mental illness and encourage anxiety, fear, depression, sleeplessness, and substance use.
The stress that comes with homelessness also in turn increases the risk of mental illness. Living without a home can increase fear, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and can lead to substance abuse as a coping mechanism. Having a secure home allows people with mental illness to focus on recovery and treatment.
Those with the lowest incomes in a community suffer 1.5 to 3 times more frequently from depression, anxiety, and other common mental illnesses than those with the highest incomes (5).
Among the nation's racial and ethnic groups, Black Americans have the highest rate of homelessness.
Homelessness in Syria
Syria has the world's highest homeless rate with one-third – roughly 29.6% – of the country's 22 million population being homeless. Syria continues to have the worst displacement situation in the world.
The homeless living on city streets are the most visible population of homeless, but not all homeless people live on the streets. Many live with family, friends, in a vehicle, or in shelters. Others who do live on the streets may find shelter in parks, on beaches, or even under bridges.
Life on the streets is dangerous. Individuals often develop mental health issues like fear, anxiety, depression, isolation and PTSD after becoming homeless. Living on the streets and not knowing where your next meal is coming from can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Being homeless is difficult, but if you find yourself lucky enough to be living indoors in a shelter, you have eliminated a constant issue - maintaining your personal appearance. Keeping clean and presentable are key elements in getting ahead and getting to where you need to be.
People experiencing homelessness have a greatly increased risk of death. Unintentional injuries, including falls or being struck by a vehicle, are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among men experiencing homelessness. Deaths due to an unintentional overdose of drugs or alcohol, or both, are also common.
A majority of people experiencing homelessness long-term in Australia are found in the large cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. It is estimated that on any given night approximately 116,000 people will be homeless and many more are living in insecure housing, "one step away from being homeless".
Causes of homelessness
Domestic violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Australia. What this means is that homelessness is a product of many other human rights abuses.
While vagrancy is no longer illegal in Australia, the related practice of begging is still a crime in most Australian jurisdictions.