Homelessness and Mental Health

It is not unusual to be homeless and experience poor mental health. The Housing Options Team works closely with mental health support services to prevent you from becoming homeless and to ensure you receive the advice and support to help you improve your health and sustain housing.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis you should contact The Access Team on: 0808 196 3002 which is an urgent NHS mental health helpline.

If you are homeless, and experience poor mental health, the Housing Options Teams will take this into consideration when providing you with housing advice and assistance. We may ask questions about any support or medication that you receive for your mental health and we may ask to speak to other professionals who are supporting you.

If you are homeless, we will consider whether you are vulnerable and in ‘priority need’ as a result of your mental health when assessing our duty to provide you with emergency accommodation.

We will provide information about the advice and advocacy services available to you and provide detail of outreach support services and supported accommodation options according to your needs through your Personalised Housing Plan.

You may also feel that your mental health is impacted by substance misuse. It is important that health professionals working with you provide you with advice and assistance that address both your mental health and substance misuse together (known as co-occurring or dual diagnosis).


Housing Advice 

The Housing Options Team can provide you with a full housing need assessment and advice on options in the Borough.

Homes Plus own the majority of social housing stock in Stafford Borough and you can register directly with them via their website - Home - Homes Plus.

The Housing Options Team are able to refer you into general needs housing, which includes low level supported accommodation. If you have specialist health needs that require specific accommodation, you will need to contact your health professional to see what options are available to you. You should ask your health professional whether you are entitled to Section 117 aftercare which may include housing or support and care to help you sustain accommodation. More information on Section 117 Aftercare (rethink.org).


Health Inclusion for the Homeless

If you are homeless and experiencing poor mental or physical health, you can attend the following drop-in sessions for further advice and assistance:

  • Monday - 10am to 12noon - Rising Brook Church, Stafford
  • Friday - 10am to 12noon - Rising Brook Church, Stafford

Support

Access Team, Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust     

Urgent NHS Mental Health Helpline

0808 196 3002

Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Wellbeing Services

NHS service that provides support and treatment that improve emotional wellbeing

0300 303 0923

Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Wellbeing Service

Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline

For those feeling concerned, worried, stressed or low, they offer a call service evenings and weekend to offer support when other services are closed.

0808 800 2234

6pm - 2am weekdays 

2pm - 2am weekends 

Rethink

Supported Accommodation for people affected by mental illness

01785 610555

Email: SAHMS@rethink.org.uk

Stafford and Cannock League of Hospital Friends

Supported accommodation for people affected by mental illness

01785 413233

Housing Services - Stafford and Cannock League of Hospital Friends

MIND

Free counselling, anger management, befriending and parent support

01782 262100 (Mon-Fri, 9am - 6pm)

Samaritans

Provide telephone and online support

116 123 (Open 24/7)

STARS (Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Services)

Telephone and in person services for people who need help with drug or alcohol misuse

Email: humankind.starswest@nhs.net

01785 270080

Young Minds

Helpline for young people, parents or carers with mental health concerns

0808 802 5544

www.youngminds.org.uk


Contact us

The Housing Options Team, based at Stafford Borough Council, can provide you with advice on your housing needs and explain what options are available to you.

01785 619000

Email: housingadvice@staffordbc.gov.uk 

If you are homeless and the council offices are closed, then you can contact the homelessness out of hours service on 01785 619170. You should only use this service if you have nowhere to stay immediately.

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