Mental Health Report 2025
Press Release
Press Release
Depaul and Mental Health Reform Call for Urgent Action to Address Mental Health Crisis
Among People Experiencing Homelessness
DUBLIN, 13th March 2025 — A new report published today by Depaul and Mental Health Reform reveals the growing intersection of homelessness and mental health issues, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reform. While 1 in 5 people in Ireland experience mental health difficulties, the situation is far worse for those experiencing homelessness. The report titled ‘Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Mental Health and Homelessness through integrated care’ reveals that at least 1 in 2 residents in Depaul services are struggling with thoughts of depression, anxiety, and suicidal
thoughts—a crisis hidden in plain sight.
The report’s findings are based on Depaul’s administrative data of 4,504 individuals and self-reported experiences, but given the barriers to self-reporting and the limitations of data collection, the actual figure is likely even higher.
Ireland ranks 3rd highest in Europe for mental health difficulties, with 19% of the population affected (European Commission, 2019). Mental health difficulties are already widespread in Ireland, with a 2022 study finding that 42.5% of Irish adults met the criteria for at least one mental health disorder (Hyland et al. 2022).
However, within Depaul’s services, 36.9% of residents (2018-2023) reported enduring mental health difficulties requiring intervention, nearly twice the national rate and more than likely massively underestimated, as government homelessness data excludes many people living in precarious situations, such as those couch-surfing or living in direct provision.
Key Findings of the Report include:
● 16% of Depaul residents have been hospitalised for mental health issues, rising to 38% among those who self-report mental health difficulties.
● Only 4% of Depaul residents have access to a psychiatric nurse, and just 9.4% can see a counsellor.
● 88% of service providers cite staff shortages and long waiting lists as major barriers to accessing care.
● 39% of people experiencing homelessness struggle with both mental health and substance misuse issues.
The report also underscores the stark reality that mental health services in Ireland are already under severe strain and highlights a dangerous gap in Ireland’s mental health care system. Findings from a 2 survey conducted by Ipsos European Public Affairs (IEPA) in 2023 revealed that Irish respondents were the most likely in Europe to have themselves or had a family member encounter one or more issues accessing mental health services–with 44% of Irish people struggling to access mental health care, nearly double the EU average of 25%.For people experiencing homelessness, these barriers are even more profound, as service eligibility remains one of the most common obstacles to accessing care (Kerman et al., 2019).
The gap in mental health care for those experiencing homelessness is particularly alarming. Only 4.2% of Depaul residents have access to a psychiatric nurse, and just 9.4% can see a counsellor. Additionally, 88% of service providers say staff shortages and long waiting lists are major barriers to care. Without timely intervention, mental health conditions worsen, pushing individuals toward crisis situations that require hospitalisation or emergency interventions—resources that are already overstretched and insufficient to meet demand.
David Carroll, CEO of Depaul, said: “Homelessness and mental health issues are deeply connected, yet the services designed to support people are fragmented and under-resourced. Our report highlights the pressing need for long-term solutions that offer both stable housing and mental health support for people who are very, very ill. People experiencing homelessness often face multiple layers of vulnerability. Without access to suitable mental health care, their challenges are exacerbated. We need a responsive system that anticipates each persons unique needs.
If half of the population were struggling with serious mental health difficulties, we would call it a national emergency. But because it’s people experiencing homelessness, the crisis is ignored. Our system has a critical weakness for those who need it most. People experiencing homelessness are not just statistics—they are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who have been let down at every turn.
Our services have become a dumping ground for the weaknesses of other parts of the system. Suitable resources do not exist for those with enduring mental health issues whose lives are falling apart, and they are just not in the right place. We can’t emphasise enough the extent of the crisis we are seeing – people with drug and alcohol issues and enduring mental health issues are falling into homelessness and a system that is not fit or able to serve them adequately.”
With not enough mental health professionals available, Depaul’s frontline staff—who are not medically trained—are forced to provide stopgap mental health support in an already overstretched system. The research highlights the prevalence of enduring mental health issues and the need for more significant staff training. In 2024 alone, Depaul staff dealt with 259 incidences of suicidal ideation. The research highlights the desperate need for more funding for training for key service employees.
Dr. Shana Cohen, Director of TASC (Think Tank for Action on Social Change), emphasised the risks: “Among other things, the research shows that when trained professionals aren’t available, it falls on untrained staff to provide mental health support in crisis situations. That is not sustainable, ethical, or safe—for the individuals in need or the staff themselves.”
The Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly, said, “People experiencing homelessness, more than most other groups, deserve the best quality integrated mental health. In this research, we see that only 4% have access to a psychiatric nurse, and just 9% can see a counsellor. When 16% of residents have already been hospitalised for mental health reasons, it’s clear that early intervention is key to stopping people from falling into crisis. The proposed Mental Health Bill presents the perfect opportunity to close these gaps by strengthening service integration and ensuring mental health support is more accessible, particularly for vulnerable populations.”
Philip Watt, Interim CEO of Mental Health Reform, commented, “The report highlights how homelessness exacerbates mental health difficulties, with isolation and unstable living conditions making recovery even harder. Shared hostel environments, where drug use is common, can trigger relapse risks. In contrast, residents living in single-room accommodations reported feeling safer and more stable.
The proposed Mental Health Bill encourages better coordination between mental health services and
other healthcare and social services. This could benefit homelessness service providers by fostering a
more integrated approach, allowing them to more effectively support individuals with complex
needs, including mental health, addiction, and housing challenges.”
Key Recommendations of The Report:
1. Ensure the necessary funding is allocated to implement these measures, including increased investment in staff training, support for individuals with enduring mental health issues, and targeted interventions for substance misuse and dual diagnosis care. The Mental Health Bill presents a critical opportunity to secure the additional resources needed to
address these urgent gaps in care and create a system that fully supports people experiencing homelessness.
2. Increase access to counselling, psychiatric services, and peer-led support systems, particularly for individuals with dual diagnoses, and expand on-site mental health services to increase access and reduce delays.
3. Strengthen coordination between homelessness, addiction, and mental health services and establish multidisciplinary teams to address client’s needs holistically.
4. Adjust service delivery models nationally by implementing individual, trauma-informed, and flexible approaches while expanding Housing First initiatives focusing on single-room accommodations to reduce relapse risks.
5. Prepare staff to provide trauma-informed care, dual diagnosis management, and cultural sensitivity while fostering collaborations between mental health services, addiction specialists, and housing providers.
6. Increase the availability of single-bedroom units and secure family accommodations for vulnerable populations while expanding peer support and community-based programmes to foster inclusivity and engagement.
Because Ireland’s official homelessness count only includes those in emergency accommodation, the
actual number of people experiencing homelessness—and mental health crises—is significantly
higher than reported. Without immediate policy changes, thousands will continue to suffer in
silence.
The Mental Health Report is available to read here:
For media queries contact: Colette Campbell – Depaul Ireland – Colette.campbell@depaulcharity.net
