Mental Health and Housing Working Group – Reports and Recommendations
May 13, 2019 at 12:31 pm
The Mental Health and Housing Working Group (a partnership of the Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (‘BIMHN’), Second Step and local homelessness agencies) have today published a report calling for changes to homeless policy.
A key recommendation of the report is that homeless policy in Bristol must prioritise mental health support. 80% of people who are homeless report having a mental health problem.
The five key recommendations to Bristol city leaders are that they must:
- Ensure a joined up citywide approach to the homeless problem involving expert organisations and people with lived experience;
- Protect mental health support services to help reduce risk of homelessness;
- Ensure Housing First is an option for people with more complex needs;
- Increase expertise in dealing with the dual diagnosis of mental health and drug and/or alcohol problems;
- Educate landlords about mental health risks and housing options for people with mental health problems so they can intervene early.
Tom Renhard, Chief Executive of the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) said:
“The report’s recommendations are authentic and rooted in the views and lived experience of people who use mental health services, which is why city leaders need to hear what we are saying and implement changes”.
The Mental Health and Housing Working Group: Report & Recommendations May 2019 is available to download here. The file format is .pdf. The report appendices are available here.
Notes: BIMHN is the Bristol branch of the Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN). IMHN is a charity that represents a diverse community of past, current and future users of mental health services; as well as those with lived experience of mental health. We work together for positive change in the way that mental health is treated, perceived, and recognised.
May 13, 2019 at 12:31 pm | News | No comment