There have been urgent calls for action to tackle mental health challenges among individuals experiencing homelessness, reports RTE.
Brian’s struggle with alcohol addiction began at 13, stemming from childhood trauma that occurred outside his family home.
“Gradually as the years went on, my addiction got worse and my mental health got worse,” he said, reports RTE.
His way of coping with his problems was to run away.
A brief stay in a homeless hostel in London made him realize he needed to turn his life around.
He described the process of entering the hostel as a “degrading” experience, requiring him to sit in a chair to be deloused, reports RTE.
This took place in the 1970s, a period when sufficient support systems for individuals dealing with mental health struggles, addiction, or trauma were lacking.
It was also a time when people were less likely to discuss their struggles with their families, reports RTE.
“In later years, I found the strength to talk to my siblings, but never took the opportunity to talk to my parents about it, reports RTE.
“In a way, they probably went to their graves wondering why I was drinking, why I had these mental health issues…but I can live with that,” reports RTE.
Now, after 19 years of sobriety, Brian works as a peer advocate, supporting individuals dealing with both addiction and mental health issues who may also be facing homelessness. He now has the support of others who have experienced addiction as well as his wider family.
“My mental health has improved significantly, I still have periods where my mental health isn’t good, but over the years I’ve developed coping mechanisms,” reports RTE.
Report finds many homeless people struggling with depression
Brian’s story emerges as fresh calls are made for urgent action to address mental health difficulties among people experiencing homelessness.
According to the homeless charity Depaul, at least half of its residents struggle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
The findings, published in a report this morning, are based on administrative data collected from over 4,000 individuals between 2018 and 2023, reports RTE.
During that time—which includes the Covid-19 pandemic—37% of residents reported experiencing mental health difficulties.
This figure is nearly twice the national average and is likely an underestimate, according to Depaul and Mental Health Ireland.
The report, titled Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Mental Health and Homelessness Through Integrated Care, was jointly produced by both organizations, reports RTE.
It highlights that 16% of Depaul’s residents were hospitalized due to mental health issues. Among those who self-reported mental health struggles, the rate rose to 38%.
The report also states that current practices within community mental health teams—especially the heavy reliance on psychiatrists prescribing medication without holistic care—were considered “particularly ineffective” by service providers, reports RTE.
Only about 4% of Depaul residents have access to a psychiatric nurse, and 9% can see a counselor.
Service providers pointed out recurring prescriptions being issued without accompanying psychotherapy or a multidisciplinary approach. They also noted resource shortages in HSE teams and a reluctance among professionals to address mental health difficulties when addiction is involved.
“Improvements could be made with better communication and integrated care to address these systemic gaps,” the report states, reports RTE.
Participants in focus groups for the research also emphasized that dual diagnosis presents a major challenge for those dealing with both mental health issues and addiction.
This concern was previously raised during the Citizen’s Assembly on Drugs Use in 2023.
According to the latest report, individuals are often required to address their addiction before receiving mental health support, even though mental health struggles are frequently the root cause of their addiction, reports RTE.
“This creates a cycle where neither service takes responsibility, leaving individuals without help,” the report states, reports RTE.
Depaul’s Chief Executive, David Carroll, stressed the need for structural changes in services to enable individuals to successfully move on from homelessness.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he noted that the majority of people assisted by Depaul struggle with mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.
He added that many also face complex underlying issues, such as addiction, and that significant investment is required to support them, reports RTE.
Mr. Carroll described the current state of the mental health system as a “major, major challenge.”
“We need specific access to consult psychiatry. We need more community psychiatry nurses and we need to support our existing staff to be equipped in the best possible way to deal with what they’re facing on a day-to-day basis as well,” he said, reports RTE.
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