Written by: Analisa F
Edited by: Bianca I
It comes as no surprise that there’s a huge emotional toll that being homeless takes on a person. Additionally, mental illness affects 1 in 3 homeless people. Being homeless is mentally, physically, and emotionally draining. In today’s blog, we will provide more insight into the cause and effect cycle that homelessness has on people.
For a homeless person, every day entails many problems that people who aren’t homeless wouldn’t understand. They have to figure out where they’re going to get food, where they will sleep that night and if it will be safe, where they can get money and how to safely do that, and where they could possibly go to take a shower or clean their clothes. On top of all of that, every day involves a new struggle and concern about safety and survival.
Mental Tolls
Being homeless is mentally draining because every day they have to deal with the uncertainty of life and how they will get through the day. Moreover, homelessness exacerbates any pre-existing mental health issues a homeless person had prior to being homeless. It is crucial for homeless people to have access to resources that can help them maintain a stable mental state. In order for a homeless person to be successful in getting out of the cycle of homelessness, they must have mental health resources.
Physical Tolls
There are physically draining factors to being homeless. Homeless people have to walk and find transportation to wherever they may need to go that day, such as food pantries, shelters, or other facilities. Also, they have to wake up and endure whatever the weather is like that day because they don’t have anywhere else to go. Think of all the homeless people that had to suffer through the bone chilling temperatures during the recent Texas snow storm. Imagine having to be outside and trying to find ways to stay warm and not get hypothermia without blankets or a roof over your head.
Emotional Tolls
This all leads to the emotional cost that being homeless has on people. Being homeless is isolating and a person can feel alone in their struggle. Homelessness is depressing and can lead to diminished mental health. Additionally, it can lead to overall negative feelings about oneself and the unfortunate situation that they find themselves in.
This feeling of overwhelming isolation is why we encourage people to donate time to shelters and pantries, so that homeless people can feel like there are people that want to help them and are willing to donate things like time and money. We understand that donating money can be difficult for some, but we hope that everyone is willing to donate things like their time and resources. Homelessness affects every aspect of their lives, so it is important to help them rehabilitate every aspect of their life. At the bottom of this post are some resources that can help provide assistance for homeless people suffering and in need of mental help.
Resources
https://www.austintexas.gov/department/resources-those-experiencing-homelessness
https://integralcare.org/program/pathaccess-homeless-services/
References
https://www.bbrfoundation.org/blog/homelessness-and-mental-illness-challenge-our-society
https://journalstar.com/news/local/it-s-not-an-easy-life-the-collision-of-homelessness-and-mental-illness/article_1402d077-6bd1-5d63-8cd6-3cb34a15509b.html
Tags
Homelessness Austin Texas Mental Health Rehabilitation