Exploring the Link Between Mental Health, Stigma, and Homelessness

By: Kennedy Landers

For many people experiencing homelessness, the struggle to find a safe place to sleep is only one of the numerous challenges they face. According to Barry et al. (691), “67% of people experiencing homelessness had a current mental health disorder.”  This raises an important question: why is mental illness so prevalent among people experiencing homelessness, and what barriers prevent them from accessing the care they need?            

The relationship between homelessness and mental illness is complex and bidirectional, meaning that each can contribute to the development or worsening of the other (Barry et al., 691). For example, homelessness exposes individuals to constant stress, trauma, sleep deprivation, and the uncertainty of not having a safe place to stay (Khor). These conditions can worsen existing mental health disorders or contribute to the development of new ones. At the same time, mental illness can increase the risk of homelessness by reducing the capacity for individuals to maintain employment, manage finances, and afford stable housing (Homeless Hub). However, the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness continue to persist beyond mental health or living conditions. Social stigma, including harmful stereotypes and negative assumptions around homelessness, can create significant barriers to accessing essential health services. For example, a healthcare professional may assume that a homeless patient seeking help is attempting to obtain drugs rather than seeking treatment for their mental illness (Markowitz, 919). These types of assumptions can result in patients feeling dismissed, misunderstood, or dehumanized (Markowitz, 920). Individuals who are treated this way by healthcare providers may become reluctant to seek help in the future, leading them to delay treatment or avoid healthcare services altogether (Markowitz, 920). Without adequate support, mental health conditions may worsen, creating further obstacles to securing employment and stable housing. Consequently, stigma does more than restrict access to healthcare: it can reinforce the cycle of mental illness and homelessness.

Addressing this issue requires action from both society and healthcare institutions. As citizens, we must challenge our own biases and recognize that homelessness can result from a combination of social and personal circumstances. Equally important is providing healthcare professionals with training that emphasizes holistic, compassionate, and non-judgmental care (McWilliams et al., 3588). By considering the social, emotional, and physical needs of each patient without judgement, healthcare providers can help create more supportive environments where individuals feel safe seeking treatment. Ultimately, breaking the cycle between mental illness and homelessness requires more than providing access to healthcare. It requires a shift in how society understands and treats people experiencing homelessness. Through greater public understanding and more compassionate healthcare practices, we can reduce the stigma surrounding homelessness and help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access the care and support they deserve.

References

Barry, Rebecca et al. "Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders Among Individuals Experiencing Homelessness." JAMA Psychiatry, 2024, pp. 691-699.

Khor, Ing-Wei. “Psychological Causes and Effects of Homelessness”, EBSCO Research Starters, EBSCO, www.ebsco.com/research-starters/psychology/psychological-causes-and-effects-homelessness/. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026. 

“Mental Health and Homelessness.” The Homeless Hub, homelesshub.ca/collection/homelessness-101/mental-health/. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026. 

McWilliams, Lucy, et al. “Scoping Review: Scope of Practice of Nurse‐led Services and Access to Care for People Experiencing Homelessness.” Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 78, no. 11, Nov. 2022, pp. 3587–3606, doi:10.1111/jan.15387.

Markowitz, Freda E., and Syverson, J. “Race, Gender, and Homelessness Stigma: Effects of Perceived Blameworthiness and Dangerousness.” Deviant Behaviour, vol. 42, no. 7, Dec. 2019, pp. 919-931, https://doi-org.proxy1.lib.uwo.ca/10.1080/01639625.2019.1706140