Homelessness and mental illness: A comprehensive analysis of psycho social risks and health disparities

Homelessness and mental illness are deeply interconnected public health concerns marked by profound psychosocial vulnerabilities and health disparities. Globally, nearly six million individuals experience homelessness, including approximately 1.77 million in India, with an estimated 20–25% affected by severe mental disorders. Structural adversities such as poverty, displacement, financial instability, lack of social support, and absence of identification documents heighten vulnerability to substance use, cognitive decline, and poor self-care. Untreated conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are common, compounded by stigma and limited access to services. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of psychosocial risk factors and health inequities linking homelessness and mental illness.