M2 · Health Complexity
M2
Slide 10
CONTENT
Mental Health and Substance Use: Clinical and Systemic Complexity
Mental health disorders and substance use are highly prevalent among people experiencing homelessness. These conditions frequently coexist with physical illness and social instability, forming a pattern often described as complex multimorbidity or trimorbidity.

Mental Health and Substance Use

Mental illness and addiction may be:

Pre-existing vulnerabilities that contribute to housing loss

Consequences of prolonged homelessness

Both simultaneously

Understanding this bidirectional relationship is critical for integrated care.