Webinar series on Health and Homelessness
WEBINAR III: Homelessness and Mental Health
21st November, Thursday (11:00 – 12:30 CET)
This autumn, FEANTSA is organising a series of webinars to explore the connection between heath and homelessness. In these online events, we are inviting experts on health and homelessness who have conducted research at the intersection of these areas or/and have implemented successful practices in removing barriers for people facing homelessness to access to healthcare.
You can watch our first webinar here, on Homelessness and Health Inequalities and here the one on Homelessness and Tuberculosis. The third and last webinar of this series is dedicated to the connection between mental health and homelessness.
The relationship between homelessness and mental health is complex and deeply interconnected. Research shows that people experiencing homelessness have a significantly higher prevalence of mental health problems. The lack of safe, stable shelter can severely impact their psychological well-being. With mental health remaining a priority on the EU agenda,[1] FEANTSA raises awareness on the need to ensure a focus on marginalised communities in upcoming initiatives in this area, particularly with regards to the significance of housing as a social determinant of health, especially Mental Health.[2]
To ensure a truly comprehensive and effective approach to mental health at a European level, the needs and access of people experiencing homelessness must be considered. The upcoming webinar aims to contribute to this conversation by addressing topics such as the specific needs and challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness as well as good support practices.
Goals:
- Built knowledge on the bidirectional relationship between homelessness and mental health.
- Identifying and mapping some of the common challenges that people experiencing homelessness face on accessibility to mental health services, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Provide examples of innovative services that provide mental healthcare for people experiencing homelessness.
- Offer an opportunity for participants to share their experiences and services and co-create solutions for problems identified.
Mental Health Europe, Brussels
Speaker: Fatima Awil, Policy and Knowledge Officer
Website: Mental Health Europe: Advocacy & Support for Well-being
Research- On the Situation of People Living in Homelessness and with Psychiatric Illness and Mental Disorder in Budapest, and their Support Systems.
Speaker: István Sziklai, University of Hungary
Website: Istvan Sziklai, PhD | ELTE Faculty of Social Sciences
Neunerhaus, Vienna
Speaker: Paula Reid, Research and Innovation Officer
Website: Home - neunerhaus
Housing First- Hogares para la Autonomía and Mental Health, Madrid
Speaker: Jose Carillo, Housing Support Technician
Website: Inicio - HOGAR SÍ; Con las personas, por el derecho a la vivienda - Provivienda
Q&A SESSION
Useful links
- Evaluación de Housing First - Soluciones al sinhogarismo
- Guidance on community mental health services: Promoting person-centred and rights-based approaches
- Addressing the intersection of homelessness and mental health: A call for a psychological approach and comprehesive solutions By Fatima Awil, Policy & Knowledge Officer, Mental Health Europe and Gina Delaney, Development Officer, Mental Health Ireland
- MHE-Psychosocial-model-Toolkit.pdf
- Summer issue 2024 FEaNTSA Health & Homelessness Newsletter
[1] Mental Health Europe (10 October 2024). Joint Statement: Deliver on promises and honour commitments on mental health.
[2] FEANTSA (2023). Mental Health & Homelessness across Europe: Calling for Comprehensive, Sustainable & Inclusive Strategies.
