The housing crisis can have a significant impact on one’s mental health, and those struggling with mental health often find barriers or a lack of support in finding/keeping affordable housing.
The housing crisis feeds directly into BC’s growing mental health crisis.
33% of people report that housing costs are causing them high stress. A UK study surveyed adults struggling with unaffordable housing: 30% of them reported panic attacks, 55% had trouble sleeping, 48% reported depression, and 60% reported anxiety.
The housing crisis can also impact mental health in indirect ways. For example, those who spend the majority of their income on rent or mortgage payments, have little or no money left to invest in activities that make them healthy and happy.
Conversely, those who struggle with mental health often encounter barriers and a lack of support in finding/keeping affordable housing. In many situations, it can lead to homelessness. The connection between homelessness and mental illness is a two-way relationship, called the “homeless treatment paradox,” in which people who need help the most get the least care. These are the people that fall through the cracks of our society.
The BC Greens have put forward a series of policy proposals to create more affordable and accessible mental healthcare in our province that’s covered by our public healthcare system. Read more here.