May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

The Overlooked Links Between Homelessness, Housing, Food Insecurity, and Mental Health​.

As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month this May, it's essential to recognize the profound impact that homelessness, housing instability, and food insecurity have on mental well-being. These issues are deeply interconnected, often creating a cycle that exacerbates mental health challenges and hinders recovery.​

Homelessness and Mental Health

Homelessness is more than the absence of a roof over one’s head—it’s a deeply destabilizing experience that affects every aspect of a person’s life, especially mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that about 21.1% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. live with a serious mental health condition, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder.

But this statistic doesn’t tell the whole story.

Mental illness can be both a cause and a consequence of homelessness. For some, untreated mental health conditions can make it difficult to maintain employment or housing. Others develop mental health challenges after becoming unhoused, as a result of prolonged stress, trauma, and a lack of access to safety and routine care. Surviving without stable shelter often means coping with extreme weather, uncertainty, stigma, and the constant need to find the next meal or a safe place to rest—all of which can take a serious toll on mental well-being.

Here at CCS, we see how complex these issues are. We know that housing instability and mental health challenges often go hand in hand, and that everyone’s story is different. What remains constant, though, is the resilience of people navigating impossible circumstances. It’s not a matter of personal failure, but of systems that too often fall short in providing care, stability, and support when people need it most.

Mental health and homelessness are deeply connected, and so are the solutions. Compassionate support, access to resources, and safe and stable housing are the foundations that make healing possible, and CCS is so grateful to be part of the solution. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reminded how important it is to meet people where they are, with empathy and without judgment.

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is often seen as just a matter of not having enough food to eat—but its impacts go much deeper, particularly when it comes to mental health. Research shows that individuals facing food insecurity are at a significantly higher risk of developing anxiety and depression. In fact, food insecurity has been linked to a 257% higher risk of anxiety and a 253% higher risk of depression (BMC Public Health).

For adults already struggling with severe mental illness, food insecurity is even more common. 41% of adults living with severe mental illness also experience food insecurity, making them over three times more likely to face this issue than the general population (Wiley Online Library).

Food insecurity goes beyond hunger. It’s the constant worry, the knot in your stomach, and the heavy question of how you’ll feed yourself or your family tomorrow. That kind of stress can take a serious toll on mental health, especially for those already struggling. At the Council of Community Services, we’ve seen firsthand how consistent access to nutritious food can stabilize both physical health and emotional well-being. When people are unsure about their next meal, it’s difficult to focus on anything else, including managing depression or anxiety. Ensuring that our neighbors have access to reliable food sources is an essential step in supporting their overall mental health.

Local Implications and the Path Forward

Addressing the connection between mental health, housing, and food insecurity takes a thoughtful, community-driven approach. Stable housing and reliable access to food lay the groundwork for better mental health—and at the Council of Community Services, we’re proud to provide those essential supports every day.

Whether it’s offering a hot meal, a place to rest, or a compassionate ear, our work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves dignity, safety, and care. If you’d like to learn more about how we serve the Gillette community—or if you’re able to support our mission—please visit ccsgillette.org.

Together, we can build a community where everyone has a chance to feel secure, supported, and seen.