As much as we wish otherwise, there is a large portion of Sydney’s population doing it tough and sleeping rough every single night. When it comes to homelessness and mental health, it truly is a vicious cycle: poor mental health can increase the risk of homelessness while homelessness can increase the risk of poor mental health. So, how does sleeping rough affect mental health exactly, and how can we support the people battling these circumstances?
How sleeping rough affects mental health
As you can imagine, there are many, many ways in which being homeless can negatively affect a person’s mental health. Here are a few prime examples…
- Without a safe, stable, and secure place to live, many people sleeping rough find themselves in a constant state of ‘fight or flight’, leading to an increase in anxiety, other mental health conditions, and general health conditions.
- Most people will simply ignore someone in need, choosing to avert their eyes or even cross the street when approaching someone sleeping rough. This kind of behaviour can leave homeless people feeling as though they have less value than other people. Unsurprisingly, this can lead to deep depression and loneliness.
- Without access to proper medical care and intervention, existing mental health problems can be exacerbated tremendously for someone facing homelessness.
How to help people dealing with homelessness in Sydney
There are many ways you can help Sydney’s homeless community in whatever capacity you are able. Here are a few ideas…
- Donate to a charity (like us!) that specifically benefits Sydney’s most vulnerable people.
- Next time you walk past someone sleeping rough, don’t ignore them – all it might take is a little eye contact and a smile or a “hello” to make someone’s day. They’re people who crave connection just like you and I, after all.
- Find your nearest Kindness Cupboard and fill it with a few non-perishable supplies.
- Follow local charities and organisations on social media to keep on top of their latest initiatives in case you’re able to lend a hand. We are @projectkindnessau on Facebook and Instagram. Bonus: If they have a newsletter, sign up for that too! You can find our sign-up form in our website’s footer.
We hope this has offered some food for thought about how sleeping rough affects mental health. If you have any questions at all or want to get involved in helping your community, feel free to reach out to us via our website’s contact forms. Don’t forget to be kind to one another!
