SNSWLHD strategic coordinator partnerships Gillian Isaac, SNSWLHD mental health housing liaison Donna Campbell, area manager South East NSW Mission Australia Belle Grossetti and SNSWLHD district director mental health, alcohol and other drugs Damien Eggleton. Photos: SNSWLHD.
Homelessness is affecting growing numbers of people. More are struggling with their mental health too. Unfortunately, a growing cohort is both homeless and has poor mental health.
Nationally, almost 32 per cent of people contacting homelessness services currently have a mental health issue. They are one of the fastest growing groups of people who are seeking support.
Coordinare’s Southern NSW Needs Assessment found the Southern NSW region has some of the highest suicide rates in NSW. Bega Valley Shire is an area with particularly high mental health vulnerability.
Belle Grossetti, Area Manager of SENSW Community Services for Mission Australia, said there was a distinct connection between the two. Poor mental health has contributed to people being homeless or homelessness has contributed to mental health instability.
“We know safe and stable housing is a cornerstone for mental health recovery, social participation and economic stability,” Ms Grossetti said. “When people are without housing it is very challenging to manage their mental health.”
That comorbidity was one topic discussed at the Southern NSW Mental Health, Housing and Homelessness Forum held in Bega on 14 May. Southern NSW Local Health District and Mission Australia organised the forum.
Around 80 representatives from community organisations, government agencies, service providers and people with lived experience attended the five-hour forum. The fact is no single organisation can address homelessness and mental health challenges alone, hence stronger collaboration between service providers, government and community is vital to improve outcomes for vulnerable people and families.
Area manager South East NSW Mission Australia Belle Grossetti.
The challenge is only increasing amid a national housing crisis. Across Australia the number of people that were homeless on Census night in 2021 was up 5.2 per cent from 2016.
The Far South Coast has its fair share of housing challenges given homes were lost during the Black Summer bushfires and a relatively high proportion of homes are not available for long-term rental because they are used as holiday homes for part of the year or for short-term holiday rentals.
Another focus was the importance of prevention and early intervention.
“Mission Australia highlighted that prevention-focused approaches are critical, with tenancy support services helping around 98 per cent of participants remain housed and avoid homelessness,” Ms Grossetti said.
“The forum also explored the need to shift away from a system that primarily responds once people are already in crisis towards one that intervenes earlier and provides the right support at the right time,” she said.
Another theme was the importance of co-design and meaningful consultation with people who have lived experience.
Ms Grossetti said their voices and insights were critical in shaping services and informing responses that were practical, accessible and person-centred.
“We also have people who have been working in the sector for decades and they hold gold when it comes to talking about solutions for our local community.”
The forum was held in Bega on 14 May. The second one will be in Goulburn on 28 May.
She said they gathered a great deal of information from the forum. The forum brought those voices together to come up with some tangible solutions and ideas to work as a sector on the challenges.
Another forum will be held in Goulburn on 28 May. Then the planning group will come together to discuss how to use the data and information collected and best next steps.
It is a big problem that needs as many resources as possible.
“Around 90 per cent of homelessness service clients with a mental health issue were unemployed or not participating in the labour force,” Ms Grossetti said. “That highlights the broader social and economic impacts of housing instability and poor mental health.”
She said the forum achieved the cross-collaboration it intended.
Nowra-based, Ms Grossetti has worked for Mission Australia for 13 years.
“What I came away from the forum with was hope that we have some very passionate and driven people in the community who genuinely care about the people experiencing these challenges,” she said. “You could walk away with the sense that the community is in the right hands.”
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.auMensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.
