Few things in life are as stressful as housing problems, new research has confirmed.
The nation’s mounting housing woes – high rents, poor conditions and threat of eviction – are causing serious mental health problems, according to a new report by Shelter.
One in five adults in England have suffered anxiety, depression and panic attacks due to housing pressures in the last five years.
About 30% of people surveyed by ComRes for the charity said they had experienced housing problems since 2012. The most common mental health problems cited by this group were stress (64%), anxiety (60%), sleep problems (55%).
I’ve seen people with acute anxiety or severe stress because they’re facing the threat of losing their home
Some 48% of people living with housing problems reported depression, and 30% said they were experiencing panic attacks.
Shelter estimates that one million have sought medical help because of housing difficulties, since one on 20 claiming to have visited their GP as a result of such troubles.