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World Mental Health Day 2024: Prioritising Mental Health in the Workplace and Addressing Homelessness

At Quays Housing, where we provide quality temporary accommodation for those at risk of homelessness, we see first-hand the profound impact mental health has on both the people we support and our team. The pressures of homelessness often exacerbate mental health struggles, while the emotional demands of frontline support work can take a toll on #TeamQuays. This year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace,” is especially relevant to us, as it highlights the importance of supporting the mental well-being of both those we serve and our dedicated team.

The Connection Between Mental Health and Homelessness

Mental health problems are often intertwined with homelessness. People at risk of losing their homes frequently struggle with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or trauma, which can affect their ability to maintain housing. Factors like job loss, financial difficulty, or relationship breakdowns often co-exist with untreated mental health issues, creating a cycle that makes it harder to regain stability.

On the other hand, homelessness itself can have a devastating impact on mental health. The trauma of losing a home, combined with the stress of living in temporary or unsafe environments, can worsen existing mental health conditions or trigger new ones. The stigma and isolation that many homeless people experience further exacerbate these challenges, leaving them feeling unsupported and overlooked.

At Quays Housing, we encounter these challenges daily. The individuals and families we work with often face mental health struggles alongside their housing issues, and addressing both is crucial to helping them move forward.

Prioritising Mental Health: A Right for All through our commitment to providing Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE).

This year’s theme, “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace,” also resonates with our approach to supporting both our tenants and our team. At Quays Housing, we embrace Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE), which are central to the way we care for the mental well-being of those we serve and the staff who support them.

PIE is built around five core pillars:

  • Relationships
  • Staff support and training
  • Physical environment and social spaces
  • A psychological framework
  • Evidence-generating practices

As we work towards integrating these principles into our services, we strive to ensure that our organisation is trauma-informed and equipped to meet the complex needs of our tenants, especially those with a history of trauma. Our aim is that TeamQuays Staff at all levels receive specialised training in PIE-related practices, including trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapies. These tools will allow us to provide support that addresses both the psychological and practical needs of our tenants.

This trauma-informed approach extends beyond the people we support—it also defines how we support #TeamQuays. In a workplace where staff regularly engage with individuals facing extreme hardship, emotional fatigue and burnout are common risks. By prioritising staff mental health through the PIE framework, we aim to cultivate a supportive working environment where staff feel valued and equipped to handle the emotional demands of their roles.

Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace: A PIE Approach

In line with the World Mental Health Day 2024 theme, we apply the PIE framework to foster well-being within our team. As we look to the future we  are committed to this by:

  • Providing staff support and training to help them manage the emotional toll of their work. This includes access to counselling, regular team check-ins, and opportunities to reflect on and share experiences.
  • Creating positive physical environments that promote well-being, both for the tenants in our accommodation and for our staff working in these spaces.
  • Using a psychological framework that allows us to view challenges through a trauma-informed lens, helping staff and tenants navigate difficulties with understanding and compassion.
  • Encouraging evidence-generating practices so that we can continuously improve how we support both tenants and staff, ensuring that mental health remains a priority in our workplace.

This approach not only helps prevent staff burnout but also enhances their ability to provide the compassionate, person-centred care our tenants need. By ensuring our team is supported, we can continue to offer high-quality services to those at risk of homelessness.

Moving Forward Together

“This World Mental Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to prioritising mental health for both our tenants and staff. Through Psychologically Informed Environments and trauma-informed practices, we create a supportive, inclusive space where mental health care is a right for all. We believe that Psychologically Informed practices are the bedrock of the prevention of homelessness and in  caring for the mental well-being of both the individuals we serve and our team, we can break the cycles of homelessness and trauma.”

Together, let’s continue to advocate for better mental health support in our communities, ensuring that no one—whether homeless or working on the front lines—is left behind.