Is Housing of Importance to Mental Health?

Poor housing quality is often associated with poor physical health such as respiratory illness from dampness, but the impact of housing on mental health should not be underestimated. Under the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, housing would fall under the bottom 2 tiers as in Figure 1, as a place to fulfil basic needs of warmth, rest, security and safety. As the lower level needs must be met before seeking higher level needs (McLeod 2014), it is therefore crucial to individuals that housing needs are met before the psychological needs that promote good mental health can be addressed through psychological therapies. This essay will look into housing as predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors for poor mental health, and the challenges faced in securing suitable housing in the social aspect of management plans.