We've been working with local Minds, people with mental health problems and Mind members and campaigners, as well as the public, housing providers and local authorities to get a clear picture of what needs to be done to make sure everyone with a mental health problem has a place to call home. We've also surveyed over 2,000 campaigners, Mind members and members of the public about their experiences of housing and mental health.
Below you can see some of the key statistics that came from this research.
People with mental health problems in social housing are more likely to:
In late 2017 we published a report: 'Brick by brick: A review of mental health and housing'. Brick by brick tells the stories of people like 'Dan' who felt he had to hide his mental health problems to secure somewhere to live, 'Crystal' who was assessed for priority housing by someone with no understanding of mental health, and 'Amy' who's constantly afraid that benefits changes will mean she loses her home.
Brick by brick paints a stark picture of the severity of the housing issues facing people with mental health problems: from cold, damp, poor quality homes, unscrupulous landlords, and housing professionals holding outdated stigmatising beliefs about people with mental health problems, to the challenges posed by housing association processes, the prevalence of unfair evictions, and the rising costs of housing across the board.
We've been busy behind the scenes, responding to several Government consultations about housing and how it can impact mental health. You can read our responses here:
We have also written briefings or submissions for parliamentarians on other issues:
If you'd like to find out more about the campaign or these pieces of research, get in touch with the team at [email protected].
If you need any adivce or support on your current housing situation, head to our information page for useful resources including tips on how to cope and where you can get more support. You can also check out our guide to your housing rights.