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Homelessness and the Mental Health Crisis: What People Don't See. Everyone has their own thoughts on homelessness and mental health. Some people ignore these issues altogether. Others acknowledge them but feel uncomfortable or unsure how to help. Some believe homelessness is simply the result of poor choices, while others recognize the deeper struggles many people face. What many people don't realize is that homelessness is often much more than a housing problem. It is frequently connected to mental illness, trauma, disability, addiction, poverty, family breakdown, and a lack of support systems.

As someone who worked in the criminal division of the Tulsa County Courthouse and has experienced homelessness myself, I have learned that the story is rarely as simple as "just get a job." Several people who live here in the United States have survived abuse, neglect, severe trauma, addiction, war, natural disasters, or the loss of family support. Others struggle with mental illnesses such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.

Research shows that the relationship between homelessness and mental illness works both ways. Mental illness can make it difficult for someone to maintain employment, relationships, and stable housing. At the same time, homelessness itself can worsen existing mental health conditions. The stress of not knowing where you will sleep, how you will eat, or whether you will be safe can intensify symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental illnesses.

The Brain and Behavior Foundation reports that a 2015 assessment by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that 564,708 people were homeless on a given night in the United States. At a minimum, 140,000 or 25 percent of these people were seriously mentally ill, and 250,000 or 45 percent had any mental illness. By comparison, a 2016 study found that 4.2 percent of U.S. adults have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness."

Serious mental illness affects a significantly higher percentage of people experiencing homelessness than the general population. Studies have also found high rates of trauma among homeless populations, with many individuals reporting childhood abuse, domestic violence, neglect, or other traumatic experiences. PTSD is one example.

Far too often, society associates PTSD only with military veterans, but PTSD can affect anyone who has experienced severe trauma. This includes survivors of abuse, violence, sexual assault, accidents, natural disasters, and other life-altering events. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, avoidance behaviors, emotional distress, and difficulty functioning in daily life.

A multitude of people do not realize how difficult it can be to maintain employment while struggling with untreated mental illness or trauma. Severe anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other conditions can affect concentration, decision-making, relationships, and job performance. Some people lose jobs repeatedly because they never receive the treatment, support, or resources they need to heal.

Practical barriers make recovery even more difficult. Many homeless individuals lack reliable transportation, identification documents, stable housing, education, work experience, or family support. Others struggle with disabilities that make employment difficult or impossible. Even getting to a job interview can become a major challenge when basic needs are not being met.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2025 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, hundreds of thousands of Americans continue to experience homelessness on any given night, including more than 266,000 people living in unsheltered locations such as streets, vehicles, and encampments. These realities highlight the ongoing need for housing, mental health services, and community support.

One man I spoke with, whom I'll call Johnny, described a life marked by instability and hardship. He attended three different high schools before eventually earning his GED through Barton Community College. He experienced family disruption, financial struggles, health challenges, and repeated setbacks. Like many people experiencing homelessness, his story cannot be reduced to a single cause. It is the result of many factors that accumulate over time. Physical health and education are often overlooked parts of the homelessness conversation.

For individuals experiencing homelessness, accessing regular healthcare and preventative medical care remains a severe struggle. Furthermore, when someone is living paycheck to paycheck or has no income at all, cheap, highly processed food is often far more affordable and accessible than nutritious options.

Research published by the National Institutes of Health found that homelessness is associated with poorer health outcomes, reduced life expectancy, and higher rates of mental illness and substance use disorders. The research noted that people experiencing homelessness may have a life expectancy approximately 30 years shorter than those with stable housing. Studies also found that roughly 60% to 80% of homeless individuals experience a mental health condition, substance dependence, or a co-occurring disorder.

Educational barriers can also play a role. Some individuals leave school early, struggle with learning disabilities, move frequently, experience unstable home environments, or never receive the support they need to succeed academically. While these factors do not determine a person's future, they can make it more difficult to find stable employment and housing later in life. Combined with mental health challenges, trauma, disabilities, and financial hardship, these obstacles can create a cycle that is difficult to break without support and opportunity.

Unfortunately, society often labels homeless individuals as lazy or irresponsible without understanding the circumstances that brought them there. While personal responsibility matters, compassion matters too. Many people become trapped in cycles of trauma, addiction, untreated mental illness, poverty, and housing instability that can be extremely difficult to overcome without support. One thing I have learned is that many people experiencing homelessness have lost hope. Some have never experienced healthy support systems. Others have been hurt, rejected, abandoned, or forgotten.

Conclusion

Rebuilding a life from scratch leaves vulnerable populations unsure where to begin. Homelessness is rarely just a housing issue; it is the visible symptom of invisible struggles. Effective solutions require us to look beyond the surface and recognize the deep-seated challenges faced daily by those in need. By replacing judgment with understanding and compassion, we can begin implementing real change.

Final Thought

It was Monday night when police escorted an 89-year-old man to the homeless shelter I was at. Residents had to leave by 7 a.m., but the older man was sitting in the lobby waiting because he was unsure where to go or what would happen next. talked to him for a bit, then went to bed. I sat and listened to him. He was a godly Christian man and had a lot of love to give. He loved people, and it was evident in the way he spoke. He didn't have a place to go and was cut off from his family. Talking to him brought me so much peace. Hebrews 13:2 states, "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." In Matthew 25:40 (The Passion Translation), Jesus says, "Don't you know? When you cared for one of the least of these, my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me". Take time to love people, even if they don't have homes, even if they are broken, because they matter too. Many have lost treasured possessions, close friendships, family connections, and a sense of stability. Behind every homeless person is a story that most people never hear. God cares for them, too. You never know when a simple conversation, a kind word, or an act of compassion can become a meaningful encounter that changes someone's day, or your own. You never know, you may just have an encounter with the Lord in the process.

Author's Note

To protect the privacy of the individual interviewed for this article, the name "Johnny" has been changed. Information about his experiences was obtained through a personal interview conducted by the author in 2026.

Scripture References

Hebrews 13:2 (NIV). "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."

Matthew 25:40 (TPT). "Don't you know? When you cared for one of the least of these, my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me."

References

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. (2019). Homelessness and Mental Illness: A Challenge to Our Society. Retrieved from https://bbrfoundation.org/blog/homelessness-and-mental-illness-challenge-our-society

National Institutes of Health. (2023). Health and Access to Healthcare in Homeless People. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2026). 2025 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR): Part 1 - PIT Estimates of Homelessness in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.huduser.gov

National Center for PTSD. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. PTSD Basics. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov