Beyond Bricks | Mental health and housing | Mind

Our short film looks at the barriers Sarah, Nadia and Gabbi faced trying to get social housing. While Rob adds his perspective as a housing support adviser Sheffield Mind.
A home is so important in helping us stay well mentally: bit.ly/2Gr2tAB

[@DepressionTalks1]

This made me speechless. I appreciate all of you sharing your stories. Very powerful

[@g.h.t.6881]

The people who should help are now part of the problem, often making things worse for those with mental health issues. Charities are now the only safety net.

[@merrelltheperil]

I'm glad these people found somewhere to live but what a nightmare life is at times..

[@nicolagarieri306]

I’m currently in a living hell. I lost my home due to ill health and was housed by the council, it took a legal battle to be housed because they dismissed all my medical evidence from consultants. When I was finally housed I was put in a block of flats that had criminals, drug addicts and dealers, drunks and a sex offender. I’ve been here three years and both my mental and physical health have deteriorated and I’m currently contemplating suicide. I’ve been trying to get rehoused but no one is listening or helping. I can only see one way out now and I’m devastated that I have to consider ending my life just because people have condemned me to a life of hell. I feel like I’ve been given a prison sentence yet I’ve committed no crime.

[@MindMentalHealthCharity]

Hi Nicole, that sounds like such a difficult situation, we're so sorry to hear that you're experiencing this. We have a page on housing problems with some info we hope will be useful, as well as some contacts that could offer you support and advice > bit.ly/31DAbK3 We're also really sorry to hear that you are contemplating suicide. If you feel like you are at immediate risk of harming yourself you can call 999 or go to an A&E. Please also remember the Samaritans are open 24/7 if you need to talk about how you're feeling. You can call them on 116 123, or email them at [e-mail]. We also have some information about suicidal feelings that you may find helpful > www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/suicidal-feelings/#.Xa8ukOhKiM8 Take care, Cora at Mind

[@DLocke-kv6ig]

@Nicole Garieri: Thank you for your post my situation is so similar, im now in a position that i had to be safeguarded-but even so i live in supported housing with (utrained staff 9-5, I've only been here just over a year and in that time i have been assaulted, and sexually assaulted, (multiple occupancy)on top of which my extremely sensitive data was leaked but they never reported it. I'm on the edge trying to deal with this as since i have complained it now means all relationship with staff and trust have gone and they are trying to get me out even though i have a perfect tenancies for years from here to New-Zealand. I can voice my opinion but a lot cannot-We are bein discriminated against blatantly and I even had to check if i could have an independant advocate myself as this (as required) shopuld be on site. Landlords turn up wenever they feel no 24hr notice-then say im being awkward but i'm letting them know that i have the same rights as anybody else . I have bipolar, adhd,gad (some of which this particular association claims to be highly trained in) Ironically it turns out that im more qualified than ANY member of staff. Problem is that people in our situation tend not to complain as they are usually already anxious etc, then after a long period of not being heard what happens? They isolate, they become statistics-so so sad. In fact to be honest sometimes i think the only thing that keeps me going is the sence of duty i feel towards a very broken system. I too have had extreme suicidal thoughts (born out of desperation. Is it too much to ask for a stable quiet home? I dont know if this will help but by you being brave has helped me speak up-so thank you for that and I hope you realize that you really have helped. Mind is so informative-no bs, and people who know what their entitled to. You HAVE the right to an advocate and dont let anyone say otherwise. Ive found it was not just my legal rights but a lot are basic human rights. Fight the bullies with FACT & Law ( , it's the only language these apathetic people understand. Keep going-and I know It's a cliche-but you ARE stronger than you think.