PTSD and How it Impacts Homelessness

As we approach National PTSD Awareness Day, it is important to recognize some of the causes of PTSD and how it affects our community, especially those who are battling homelessness.  

What is PTSD? 

According to an article from the Cleveland Clinic, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition developed after experiencing a traumatic event. This can mean suffering from any form of abuse, severe injuries or illnesses, or even watching or hearing news about the death of a loved one. When someone has PTSD, these events have a long-lasting impact on them as they can experience symptoms such as, trouble sleeping, flashbacks, mood swings (feelings of sorrow, anger, guilt, etc.), and avoidance of people, places, or things that may have been related to or involved in the event. 

How does PTSD Relate to Homelessness? 

PTSD can negatively affect anyone who develops it. Aside from the symptoms previously discussed, it can unfortunately be the cause of life changing situations, homelessness being one of them. Below are some cases where PTSD could cause homelessness: 

• Avoidance- when people with PTSD avoid anything that could have been related to the event they experienced, this could lead to them feeling uncomfortable interacting with others, such as in a job scenario. This can possibly cause unemployment, which has a profound effect on financial stability. 

• Abuse- Those fleeing from abusive relationships, whether with a family member or partner, may not have anywhere else to live on such short notice. 

• Death of a loved one- If that loved one is the main source of income, then it can be difficult to inherit that role from them to maintain proper living conditions. 

  
  

In an interview conducted by the Psychiatric Times, a woman suffered PTSD after she was raped by her uncle. She dropped out of school at 16 years of age, then 3 years later got married. However, her relationship with her husband ended up being an abusive one, that saw her eventually splitting up with him after 2 years of marriage. During that time, she turned to alcohol in hopes that it would relieve her of the mental and physical pain that came with the abuse. She was determined to end her substance abuse, so she received medical treatment. There were ups and downs throughout her process of withdrawal, but in the end, she was able to decrease her alcohol consumption. Her journey not only represents the negative effects of PTSD and how it can lead to homelessness, but it also shows how with the right support and enough determination, anyone can rise from the darkness that comes with PTSD related homelessness. 

Concluding Thoughts 

It is important to recognize the impact PTSD can have on homelessness because we have all experienced a traumatic event that could have changed our lives. Those struggling with PTSD or any mental health disorder deserve to get the proper support they need to help turn their lives back around. 

At the Virginia Women and Family Support Center, we pride ourselves with not only housing homeless moms and their children but also providing resources to help residents who may be going through any mental health crisis. Our partnership with BetterHelp allows our residents to access the therapy they need to break the cycle of homelessness in their lives. Some other events we do to support our moms include, Maternal Health education lessons, Lunch and Learns with guest speakers every second and fourth Wednesday of each month, and our annual Every Baby Deserves a Home Gala, which this year will be on Saturday, September 6. 

With your support, we can ensure that no one faces the mental health crisis that can come with being homeless. To support our mission, you can become a Cycle Breaker by donating $20 a month or more! For more information about our mission, don’t hesitate to visit the VAWFSC website.