Mental Health
Experiencing a mental health crisis – particularly if it leads to hospital admission – can also lead to someone losing their home.
The period after hospital discharge is a high risk for a first or recurrent period of homelessness, readmission, or suicide. However, access to appropriate accommodation and regular follow-up can significantly improve outcomes.
At PA Housing we work with a number of Managing Agents supporting our customers within their own homes amongst our Agency Managed Schemes; General Need properties providing a tailored floating support service as well as supporting them within our larger shared housing schemes.
There is strong evidence for the positive impact of supported housing on housing stability, the severity of mental health symptoms, and life satisfaction.
It provides:
- An environment where they can begin or continue their recovery.
- A healthy environment that promotes physical and mental wellbeing, as well as the stability and security that comes from a living environment suited to their needs.
- Increased hope, control, and sense of self which helps them plan long-term goals. This offers residents the opportunity to achieve financial security because of access. to welfare benefits and employment.
- Help to develop new skills and offers carers assistance and respite in helping those they care for.
- Better access to the NHS.
- The chance to expand social networks, including the opportunity to seek support from their peers when they are in a crisis.
Case study
Working with Hestia to support positive mental health during the pandemic
Hestia delivers services across London and the surrounding regions, as well as campaign and advocates nationally on the issues that affect the people they work with.
Hestia worked with residents at one of our properties during the COVID-19 lockdowns which proved to be a very challenging time for our residents due to the pressure it puts on their mental health.
The lockdown was a very challenging time for our residents due to the pressure it put on their mental health. The isolation impacted on them negatively and the change in their daily routine is unsettling in the least. To support our clients, we have now increased the number of contacts made by their keyworker. For some clients, that’s daily contact and for others at the lower end of the risk register that is twice a week. They are receiving support with food and medication. We now have a weekly newsletter being mailed out to them with information on the latest guidance, online sessions, and local amenities. We also run competitions in cooking, arts and gardening that residents can participate in from home. Finally, we run online sessions in yoga, fitness, mindfulness and coffee and chat using online platforms such as Zoom.
Clients are being encouraged to use their creativity to support each other. One of our residents at 18 Richmond Park Road developed a positive station in the corridor. You can see from the picture below messages, quotes and arts work collected that are being displayed on the wall. We also have a band that comes every Monday and play music from the car park. All the residents come out from their windows or stay a safe distance away from the car park and enjoy the entertainment.
Positive station
While the lockdown meant that face to face contact is to a minimum as a service we continue to support our clients to attend urgent medical appointments and drop food if they are unable to do so for themselves.
