Calgary study suggests mental health disorders and homelessness closely linked
New research out of the University of Calgary shows an extremely prominent link between mental health disorders and people experiencing homelessness.
According to the paper, up to 75 per cent of adults who are currently living rough have an underlying mental health condition.
The lifetime prevalence is even higher: 86 per cent of males have struggled with a disorder, and 69 per cent of females.
Clinician-researcher and senior author of the paper, Dr. Dallas Seitz, calls the numbers "eye-opening."
"I would say it's not surprising, but it's probably still shocking to see," he told CTV News.
"We all kind of intuitively know (there’s a connection). I think what was really surprising to me is the extent of it (and) how consistent it was across the world."
Seitz says the researchers reviewed studies from 1980 to 2021 focused on things like antisocial personality disorder, major depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
"Those serious mental health conditions are much higher amongst people experiencing homelessness when compared to the general population," Seitz said. "About eight times higher."
Darren Houle was without a permanent home for almost two years.
He says he’s suffered from mental health concerns for much of his life, and they were exacerbated being out on the street.
"It’s hard to have everything — a big, beautiful home, a family, a job, your livelihood on your hands — to have it taken away so fast," he said.
Those problems were compounded by drug and alcohol use.
Houle was able to escape the cycle and his addictions with the help of his family and the Calgary Mustard Seed.
He says therapy and counselling went a long way.
"It made me figure out who I was, my problems and how to address them," he said. "It paved the way for me to better myself."
He’s been sober for two years and now lives in an affordable housing unit, looking for construction work.
"Because I wanted to be a better role model for my son," Houle said. "That’s the most important thing for me."
"When we are able to support people and give them appropriate treatments, we see their functioning improves," Seitz said. "They're better able to get into the workforce and get grounded."
The findings are published in JAMA Psychiatry.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Edmonton Oilers looking for a road win in decisive Game 5 against Dallas Stars
The Florida Panthers are a victory away from securing a berth in the Stanley Cup final and the Edmonton Oilers are looking for a road win in a pivotal Game 5 at Dallas.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.