The third article in this series focuses on more of our basic physiological needs which, if met adequately, can help to form a strong foundation before attempt to fulfil some of the more complex needs we have.
So far we have covered Sleep, and Diet & Nutrition. In the episode we’re going to look at our needs for warmth & protection by means of Shelter & Clothing. They might not seem like they relate well to our mental health but if you stop to imagine life without them, or more likely without access to good quality clothing & shelter, we can start to see how challenging life might be and understand how poor mental functioning might result in their absence.
Try spending the night on the streets in bad weather or during the Winter and you will quickly learn how your health may quickly deteriorate in these circumstances.
Although this isn’t necessarily an article about homelessness there is a lot we can learn and apply from other studies on those affected by it.
Poor mental health & homelessness is a two-way correlation. People with poor mental health are more likely to find themselves homeless because untreated illnesses like bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders (to name just a few), make meeting our typical responsibilities in life that much harder. For example, if you are struggling to hold down a job because you are unwell, it’s not hard to see how you might soon struggle to pay the rent or mortgage and quickly find yourself without a home.
The flipside of that same coin is that finding yourself homeless for whatever reason can also be traumatic and either exacerbate any pre-existing mental illness or be a primary trigger.
In addition to this, people who are homeless are more likely to run into legal problems with the Police & Judicial system, leading to more distress.
OK, so enough about homelessness specifically. This article also speaks of our domestic environment. What if you do have a home but the quality of housing is poor?
Well again, the quality of housing & mental health correlate in much the same way as above. People with poor mental health are more likely to be on a low income which can affect the quality of housing that they have access to. You may well have a roof over your head but if it’s cold & damp, perhaps in an area of high crime, or maybe somewhere you don’t feel safe, it’s easy to see how living in those conditions could be extremely stressful.
Add to this then the possibility of having inadequate and poor quality clothing that is completely unsuitable for the season, the climate, weather & living conditions that you have to live with. Having access to only warm clothing can be much more than a major inconvenience during the summer months but not having access to this in the Winter months can be a matter of life & death.
With mere existence on the line here, it doesn’t take a huge leap of the imagination to understand how poor quality housing and clothing can be major factors in the deterioration of our mental health.
The sad news is that there are no quick fix solutions to these problems that we can offer. These problems are socio-economic in nature and until we find a solution to our economic challenges in society, in what for many feels like a race to the bottom, we really have our work cut out.
However, it is not a completely helpless situation. If the above sounds familiar to you in anyway, there are some steps you could consider taking:
Citizens Advice: I urge you to seek advice from your local citizens advisory services to see what supports are available to you in terms of welfare support as well as from local & national charities set up to assist people with these matters. It’s also worth revisiting this advice regularly – governments change and so do their priorities. What supports are available to you today can be quite different from those available in 6 months time. Don’t assume that what you learned on your last visit is just the way it is and that things will not change. They can and often do.
Support Network: We also suggest that you build & appeal to your support network for help. This can include informal supports such as family & friends, as well as formal & professional supports like your GP, Counsellor, and Councillor – Note the difference between the two there. One provides therapeutic support while the other has political influence.
Get Professional Supprt For Your Mental Health: If you are in these circumstances private therapy may be out of reach for you financially but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are cut off from professional support. There are a range of charities that offer free support to people on low-income and there are also free services that your GP can refer you to. Yes, your choice is more limited, but there are still options available to you.
Get Organised: Connect with others in similar circumstances to your own and organise yourselves for mutual support. You will often find that although those around you may also face similar economic challenges, you will have access to different skills, knowledge & resources which can be shared for your mutual benefit.
Get Political: We are fortunate enough to live in a democracy which is much more than having a vote in the next election. You are free to contact your local politician at any time to state your case and appeal for help & change. This can have a greater impact if you can connect with others in your situation and work as a collective so get organised & get political. Use you voice!
If you would like to talk about mental health issues, whether it be for yourself or someone you know feel free to contact BroadMinds Therapy for help & advice. Call (+353) 0899420568, email help@broadmindstherapy.org , message us via this website, or visit our facebook page http://www.facebook,com/jpbroad for more information.
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Thanks for taking the time to read this article.
Integrative Counselling And Psychotherapy 