Data Insight: Mental health and homelessness in Northern Ireland

New analysis of linked administrative data reveals that people presenting as homeless in Northern Ireland are far more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication than those who do not, with rates rising fastest among young women. The findings point to an urgent need for targeted mental health and housing support.

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This analysis linked population-level administrative data to explore trends in mental ill-health among people who presented for statutory homelessness assistance in Northern Ireland between 2012 and 2021. Psychotropic medications (used to manage symptoms of mental and behavioural disorders) were used as an indicator of mental ill-health. Based on anonymised Northern Ireland Housing Executive data, homelessness was divided into three groups: statutory homelessness (individuals whose applications were accepted, i.e. Full Duty Applicants), non-statutory homelessness (individuals whose applications were not accepted), and people who did not present as homeless during the study period.

The analysis found that a greater proportion of individuals who presented as homeless were dispensed psychotropic medications compared to those without a homelessness presentation, with the highest rates relating to antidepressants and the lowest relating to treatment for alcohol and substance use disorder. Between 2012 and 2021, there was an increase in the proportion of homeless presenters receiving psychotropic medications, with variation by sex and age group. This increase was seen for both statutory (40.3% to 50.8%) and non-statutory homeless presenters (30% to 37.3%). The most pronounced