Housing workers’ input ‘misconstrued’

Mental health services often “misconstrue” or do not recognise the contribution made by housing workers to supporting people with mental health problems in the community, a report claims.

The study for the National Institute for Mental Health in England said social housing had become the “principal vehicle” for successive governments to implement policies to support vulnerable people in the community.

But front-line housing staff interviewed for the report said there was a lack of suitable medium- and high-support accommodation in their areas.

The study recommended that all housing workers should receive basic mental health awareness training.

It also said some housing staff should be trained as “link workers” who would have greater knowledge of mental health issues and strengthen contact with mental health services.

At Home? A Study of Mental Health Issues Arising in Social Housing