Mental health problems
Definition: This term covers a very broad range of conditions from day to day worries and anxieties to suicidal depression or complete loss of touch with reality.
The term "mental health problems" covers a very broad range of problems, from the worries, anxiety and grief that we all experience as part of everyday life, to suicidal depression or complete loss of touch with everyday reality. Whilst mental health problems can lead to considerable disruption and difficulty in a person's life, many people do find ways of managing and are able to lead active fulfilling lives. About one in four people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year, but a very much smaller number will be diagnosed with a serious and enduring problem. The more extreme forms of mental illness can be very disturbing both for the individual concerned and for those around them.
There are a range of housing support services for people with mental health problems throughout Scotland, including floating/visiting support. Some of these are specialist, whilst others are for another client group as well (e.g. learning disability or homeless). They support people living in their own homes/tenancies, and help an individual person to manage their day to day activities and maintain their tenancy.
In addition there is supported accommodation. This is housing where housing support is provided or commissioned by the landlord as part of the tenancy agreement, and the support can range from an hour a week to 24 hours a day. The accommodation can be group homes where people are supported by residential or visiting staff and have their own bedrooms and share communal facilities. Other supported accommodation can be scattered or clustered dwellings, where residents are supported by visiting staff.
back to top
<< back to the page you just came from
<< back to list of glossary terms