Trigger warning: This article discusses mental health and youth homelessness
Young Australians are much more susceptible to both homelessness and poor mental health, according to recent data from the Melbourne City Mission.
The research shows that every four days, a young homeless person dies, mainly between the ages of 15-24, with many taking their own lives.
Melbourne City Mission released the report cross checking statistics with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, other homelessness services and coronial records.
The “Home and Mind” report shows that 50 per cent of young Australians who access homelessness services have reported ‘self-harm, suicidal ideation, or an attempt to take their own life’.
The report aims to break down and explain the profound challenges that these young homeless people face, and highlights the barriers blocking them from accessing services aimed to aid them.
A major finding of the report is the importance of stable housing in assisting both mental health issues and also aiding long term recovery.
“Inaccessible and fragmented systems are leaving young Victorians experiencing homelessness locked out of crucial mental health supports, with dire consequences,” a report from Orygen and MCM found.
This report comes eleven months out from the death of homeless Wollongong man Ray McCormack, who was known and loved throughout the local community, and who often frequented Wollongong train station.
For over half a decade the NSW Government has conducted an annual rough sleeping street count. This year the Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services (WHHHS) have made a “difficult decision” to not participate in the 2025 count.
“Despite the data collection each year, we’ve seen little to no system change for people sleeping rough,” WHHHS CEO Mandy Booker said.
Ms Booker has called for a government inquiry into Mr McCormack’s death and said his passing was based on the system failing him.
While Wollongong was listed with three less people in the count (80 coming down from 83), the number of people listed in NSW sleeping rough rose 8 per cent.
For help call: Lifeline 13 11 14, Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800, Link2home: 1800 152 152
