Finding a place to live can be challenging at the best of times, but people with mental health problems can have a much harder time finding safe housing. This struggle can affect their mental health as well as get in the way of their independence and health. At Bridge Support, we know that stable, supportive living is an important part of recovery because it gives people a place to start over. It helps them to get involved in their community and work towards their own goals.
Here’s how Bridge Support helps people with mental health issues find and keep safe housing, which breaks the cycle of instability and encourages freedom.
The Challenge of Living Alone When You Have Mental Health Needs
For people with mental health problems, going back to living in the community after being in the hospital can be difficult and stressful. This is even more so for people who have spent a lot of time in inpatient care; moving out and living on their own can feel like a big, sudden change.
Some of the common problems are:
Rebuilding daily habits: It can be hard for people to get back into daily habits and life skills that they learnt in a clinical setting.
Stability and structure: Being able to live on your own takes stability, and many people may not have the support systems they need to thrive.
Avoiding bad influences: Going back to old places can put some people in touch with people or things that caused them problems in the past, like drug abuse or being alone a lot.
Taking care of tenant duties: Many people who are moving into independent housing find it hard to keep up with their rent payments, handle their bills, and understand their rights as tenants.
At Bridge Support, we work to solve all of these problems in a sensitive way. Our goal is to be there for our clients every step of the way and help them make their homes safe, stable, and good for long-term healing.
Why Housing is So Important for Mental Health Recovery
Stable housing is far more than simply a roof over your head. It gives you a sense of community, safety, and structure, all of which are important for mental health recovery. Research has found that people who have safe housing have fewer mental health problems, which means they are less likely to need to go back to the hospital or get emergency care. In its study called Closing the Gap: Priorities for Essential Change in Mental Health, the Department of Health talked about how housing can help improve both mental and physical health.
Safe housing not only makes things easier for people right now; it also makes healthcare services more affordable by reducing the number of people who need them.
How Bridge Support’s Housing Management Service
Bridge Support tailors its living services to each client, making sure they get the help they need to live on their own with confidence. Our housing management services are meant to give each person a sense of independence and power so that they can work towards their own goals and the goals of their community. We focus on providing safe, high-quality accommodation combined with support to aid recovery
- We source, procure, and manage safe, high-quality accommodation.
- We make sure clients are housed in a safe area, which is crucial for recovery.
- Our services are focused on recovery, so clients get the support they need from a dedicated support worker.
- We work with partner organisations, including clinical teams and the local communities.
Benefits to the Wider Community
We aim to build better community ties by giving clients the opportunity to use local resources and make useful connections. By giving clients housing in safe and friendly places, you give them the chance to get involved in their community, take part in activities, and get help with their recovery.
Reduced healthcare demand: Stable housing decreases hospital readmissions, easing the pressure on the healthcare system and freeing up resources for those in more immediate need.
Community integration: Helping people reconnect with their communities encourages inclusivity and reduces social isolation.
Support for vulnerable groups: By helping vulnerable people find housing, Bridge Support helps strengthen local bonds, which creates a safer and more compassionate place to live for everyone.
This is possible thanks in large part to our partnerships in the Essex region. We make sure that our clients can get all the help they need, not just for housing, by working with other community groups. This way, we can meet their emotional, physical, and social needs as well.
At Bridge Support, we think that housing is more than just a basic need. We see it as a way to build health, growth, and recovery. By providing safe, supportive housing environments, we’re helping people with mental health challenges break cycles of instability and dependency, building a pathway to independence and integration within their communities.
If you have any further questions about Bridge’s housing support service, don’t hesitate to contact us here.
Further Reading
Closing the Gap: Priorities for Essential Change in Mental Health
