Unmet needs in street homeless people: a commentary on multiple interconnected needs in a vulnerable group

Street homeless people face stigmas in addition multiple unmet needs, which may include physical, psychological, mental health and social needs to name a few. Their life expectancy is shorter than that of the general population. Mental health problems are common but street homeless people face considerable barriers accessing support. Institutional approaches from the health system re-traumatise street homeless people seeking care and cause moral injury and burn-out in staff. Given high rates of trauma in street homeless people, trauma-informed care approaches should be used. Professionals should make every contact count, using it as an opportunity to build trust with honesty and consistency and find out what matters to the person, as well as taking practical steps such as ensuring a means of contact. Engaging with the person's wider support system, such as support workers from homeless organisations, is key as they may have a good understanding how the mental health affects the person.