Depression is common cause of homelessness

A tenth of people who are homeless become so due to depression, research published yesterday has found.

The survey of 1,400 homeless people by London homelessness charity St Mungo’s also found that 70 per cent had complex needs.

Rough sleepers, people living in hostels and temporary housing were surveyed by the charity.

Its programme director Peter Cockersell said the findings were “deeply shocking”.

He called for a counsellor to be installed in every homeless hostel to ensure that those suffering from depression are assisted as quickly as possible.

Currently the charity can only offer informal counselling sessions and make assessments, it said. 

www.communitycare.co.uk/mentalhealth