Mental Health Begins at Home

Andy Bell, Chief Executive at the Centre for Mental Health, joins Jenny to explore how housing and mental health are fundamentally linked. From poverty and disrepair to systemic discrimination, Andy outlines how social and economic conditions shape mental wellbeing. 

Key takeaways: 

• Housing quality—damp, mould, overcrowding, and insecurity—directly impacts mental health. 

• Mental health exists on a spectrum, shaped by protective (e.g., safe home, community ties) and risk factors (e.g., poverty, trauma). 

• Children are particularly affected by poor housing, influencing behaviour, sleep, and school life. 

• COVID and the cost of living crisis exacerbated existing mental health inequalities, especially for racialised communities. 

• Signposting isn’t enough—proactive support is essential. 

• Policies must undergo a mental health impact check—a simple but powerful change. 

• Employment support, positive parenting, and co-production are best practices for housing providers. 

Resources & References: 

• Centre for Mental Health: https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk 

• “Mental Health and Housing” report: https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications/mental-health-and-housing/

• Shelter’s research on housing and mental health: https://england.shelter.org.uk