Homelessness can happen to anyone, and for the dean, it was a journey that tested his endurance and strength.
Having been married for over 22 years, a marital breakdown left him without a home. Dean found himself sleeping rough for three months, living in a park and occasionally in his car, while still trying to maintain a sense of normalcy by going to work every day. “Those 3 months created many challenges for me both mentally and physically,” recalls the dean. “I was still working full time and making sure I didn’t miss a day of work. So, among other things in the park they would see me get up to go shower in a local changing room, but go out in a suit to go to work.”
During this period, the dean’s mental health deteriorated rapidly. “My mental health deteriorated quite quickly because I believed that I didn’t deserve to be happy or even safe because I had left my children and marital home,” she shares. The belief that he didn’t deserve to be happy or safe, combined with feelings of guilt, sent him into a spiral of heavy drinking as a coping mechanism. His existing PTSD from his military service compounded the situation, making it even more difficult to deal with.
Dean’s experience highlights an important issue: the interplay between homelessness and mental health. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), one in three people (34%) with a reported mental health condition have experienced homelessness in their lifetime, compared to one in six people (15%) without a mental health condition. It’s not just about missing a place to stay. the psychological toll can be enormous. “It’s this feeling that you don’t deserve to be happy, as well as not allowing myself to go and have a comfortable safe motel room,” the dean muses. “Plus the added shame of not being able to turn to friends for help.”
Isolation further intensified the dean’s struggles. “Isolation has contributed significantly to my mental health deteriorating faster every day,” she says. “Not being able to communicate with my children and losing a huge part of my life with my ex-wife felt like I had nothing to really live for. My self-esteem plummeted.”
Despite these challenges, a turning point came when the dean’s ex-wife encouraged him to attend an event for their children. “My ex-wife came and supported me to attend an event for my children. She spoke to me honestly but with love and care, to take care of myself and that she still cared about my well-being,” the dean recalled. That conversation was a catalyst for change, leading the dean to secure stable housing and begin his journey of recovery. “I took steps after that to get stable housing,” he adds.
Dean’s story highlights the critical role of support systems. He credits his native local medical service and a compassionate nurse who provided him with the care and guidance he needed. “My local Indigenous medical service has been a fantastic help. A safe space so to speak,” shares the dean. “But the most influential person was a nurse at another medical center who physically took me to a hospital quite far away and sat with me until I was seen and placed under Veterans Affairs supervision.”
Reflecting on his journey, the dean emphasizes the need for empathy and practical support for those experiencing homelessness. “By being physically there when someone is sleeping rough. Providing help where needed, but also respecting their space,” she notes. Dean believes that lived experience can be invaluable in helping others, supporting services that meet people where they are. “Find a safe space and know what’s available. When you need to, go to a safe place in the community (you don’t have to talk to anyone),” she advises.
Dean’s journey is a powerful reminder that homelessness is more than just a lack of shelter. it profoundly affects mental health and self-esteem. It also emphasizes the importance of community and support systems to help individuals find stability and hope. As the dean wisely says, “things take time. Always look to give back.”
Support resources for those experiencing homelessness
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or mental health issues, the following resources can provide support:
Throughout the territory
1800respect – 1800respect.org.au
Australia’s national sexual assault, domestic and family violence advisory service. Phone – 1800 737 732
Askizzy – askizzy.org.au
find nearby services for those in need, such as housing, food and health services.
GIVIT – givit.org.au
provides items, services and vouchers to Australians in need.
777 Movement ltd – 777movement.org.au
helps Australians experiencing homelessness or food insecurity by providing free food parcels and hampers. THE
Goodbox – thegoodbox.com.au
provides essential resources for people experiencing homelessness.
International Settlement Services – ssi.org.au
provides services for humanitarian settlement, accommodation, asylum seekers and more.
Foodbank – foodbank.org.au
Australia’s largest hunger relief charity, connecting surplus food with people in need.
Australian Red Cross – redcross.org.au/services
services and programs that help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The Big Issue – thebigissue.org.au
creates job opportunities for homeless, marginalized and disadvantaged people.
Orange Sky – give.orangesky.org.au
provides mobile laundry and shower services to support the homeless.
Children under cover – kuc.org.au
works to prevent youth homelessness and keep families together by providing accommodation and support.
Pets in the Park – petsinthepark.org.au
offers free veterinary care for pets of people experiencing homelessness.
New South Wales
link2home – 1800 152 152
statewide homeless information and referral service.
NSW Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800 656 463
provides counseling and referrals to women experiencing domestic violence.
Dignity – dignity.org.au
empowers people to prevent, respond to and end homelessness.
Detour House – detourhouse.org.au
provides housing and care for women and girls in Sydney.
Bonnie Support Services – bonnie.org.au
supports women and children escaping domestic violence or homelessness.
The waysidechapel – waysidechapel.org.au
offers support and essential services to people experiencing homelessness in Kings Cross, Sydney.
Asylum Seekers Center – asylumseekerscentre.org.au
offers support and practical help to people seeking asylum.
Queensland
Homeless Helpline – qld.gov.au/housing/emergency-temporary-accommodation/homeless-persons-information-qld
telephone information and referral service for people experiencing homelessness.
Telephone – 1800 47 47 53
DV connect – dvconnect.org
supports people facing domestic, family and sexual violence.
Phone – 1800 811 811
Northern Territory
shelter me – shelterme.org.au
directory of homeless services for people in the ND.
Victoria
Crisis accommodation – housing.vic.gov.au/crisis-emergency-accommodation support for those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or fleeing family violence.
Phone – 1800 825 955
Safe Steps Family Violence Center – safesteps.org.au
provides support to anyone experiencing or fearing domestic violence in Victoria.
Telephone – 1800 015 188
South Australia
homeless connect – homelessconnectsa.org
statewide hotline for those experiencing homelessness.
Phone – 1800 003 308
women’s safety services SA – womenssafetyservices.com.au
supports women and children who suffer domestic and family violence.
Telephone – 1800 800 098
Western Australia
Entry Point Perth – entrypointperth.com.au
assessment and referral service for those at risk of homelessness.
Phone – 6496 0001 or 1800 124 684
Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline – (08) 9223 1188 or 1800 007 339
provides support to women experiencing family and domestic violence.
Tasmania
family violence counseling and support (FVCSS) – 1800 608 122
provides support to people experiencing domestic and family violence.
Australian Capital Territory
onelink – onelink.Org.Au
provides information and links to support services in ACT.
Phone – 1800 176 468
ACT Community Directory mycommunitydirectory.Com.Au/australian_capital_territory/canberra
helps find services, community organizations and support groups in Canberra.
Telephone – (02) 6248 7988
