Millions of people in England are suffering ‘shocking’ mental and physical health problems as a result of housing pressures, research reveals.
A new study from Shelter has found one in five adults (21%) have experienced issues including long-term stress, anxiety and depression due to a housing problem over the last five years.
In some of the worst cases, people have even reported having suicidal thoughts.
The study, which involved 20 GPs, also discovered one in six adults (17%) say the pressure of housing problems has also affected their physical health with some reporting symptoms such as hair loss, nausea, exhaustion, dizzy spells and headaches.
Nearly 70% of people who have experienced housing problems in the last five years such as poor conditions, struggling to pay the rent or being threatened with eviction, have reported a negative impact on their mental health, according to the research.
‘Every day at Shelter we hear from people at breaking point because they can no longer cope with their unstable, unliveable or unaffordable housing.
‘From families in fear of falling further behind on the rent to people dealing with the misery of raising young children in a tiny, mouldy, freezing flat – people can feel completely overwhelmed.
‘But getting advice and support for housing problems early can ease the pressure and stop things spiralling out of control. Shelter’s free expert advice is only a click or conversation away – visit shelter.org.uk/advice as a starting point or pop into your local Shelter service.’
Dr Andrew Carr from London, who took part in the Shelter study, said: ‘I see how much housing is a problem in my work every day, and it's unusual for people not to have mental health burdens if they're in inadequate or unstable housing.
‘With evictions on the rise in my area, I've seen people with acute anxiety or severe stress because they're facing the threat of losing their home. I always encourage patients to seek advice on housing problems as soon as possible, and I have seen first-hand the benefits of this on their mental wellbeing.’
