“I just need somebody to tell me that I'm doing things right”
The ubiquity of mental health issues among adults with SMD is consistent with evidence from Waugh et al (2018) HHIS study, which indicates that, where homelessness is combined with drug or alcohol issues, mental health issues are nearly always present as well.
Serious physical health and disability issues were also common, reported by almost half of all interviewees:
“I picked up hepatitis C… I’ve been through other stuff, getting my liver checked and everything, and the doctors are shocked that I’ve not got no cirrhosis.” (Male, 50-54, semi-rural)
“I go to the nurse twice a week to get my leg bandaged because I’ve got septicaemia and cellulitis in the leg from injecting… It’s pretty hard; I limp everywhere I go.” (Male, 40-44, urban)
