New mental health team to help rough sleepers in Leeds

Forward Leeds, the city's alcohol and drug service, has assembled a 'specialist therapeutic outreach team' to support those living on the streets to recover from substance misuse issues and improve their life.

Anne Hobbs, operational manager at Forward Leeds, said: "Our workers are there for the most vulnerable people in our city - those who have both mental and physical health problems as well as alcohol and drug misuse problems.

"Many of those living on the streets in Leeds have suffered multiple traumas in the past. People may be familiar with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but trauma can also lead to depression, self-harm, alcohol and drug misuse, psychosis, relationship difficulties, dissociation, suicidal thoughts and an increased risk of poor physical health.”

She said those affected often had difficulty staying engaged with services so the new team is trained to understand these issues and will work alongside the existing Safer Leeds Street Support Team and other support services in the city.

She added: "Trauma-informed care is about creating the conditions to improve people’s treatment. A person’s past experience of trauma can affect the way they react to experiences in the present. Everyday situations can be very distressing, leading them to behave in ways that could appear aggressive or overly defensive."

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Thank you

Laura Collins