The Benefits of participation in recreational group activities for adults at risk of homelessness

Isolation, Mental Health Problems and Homelessness The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated that in the year 2011-12, three million Australians (13.6 per cent) experienced an adverse mental or behavioural condition. This subset of the population includes people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, recurrent major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and personality disorder. Due to their symptoms and often also due to the effects of medication, people with a serious and chronic mental illness tend to have fewer social contacts and supports, are likely to be receiving less income, and are at increased risk of unstable housing.