And Shelter Trust Jersey say that of the people they help almost 50 per cent are suffering from mental health problems such as self-harm and self-esteem issues.
John Hodge, director of the charity, said the organisation’s ‘biggest worry’ over the next five years was that the number of young people accessing their services would ‘continue to rise’.
Giving evidence to the Mental Health Review Scrutiny Panel this week, he said that in 2017 – the latest figures available – 64 of the 364 people who were housed for one night or more by the charity were under the age of 25.
‘For us we have seen a significant increase in the number of young people who are homeless,’ Mr Hodge said.
Trevor Garrett, a trustee at Shelter Trust, added: ‘It frightens me slightly. I remember homelessness being a mature adult issue in the 1960s and 70s. Suddenly we’ve got a whole batch of very young people.’
Mr Hodge said that 45 per cent of homeless people in the UK are diagnosed with some form of mental-health issue and added that he ‘would not be surprised if it was the same in Jersey’.
And he told the panel that the Shelter Trust ‘see more people than we should’ coming from being treated as an inpatient for mental health issues.
‘I think if someone is suffering with mental health issues, to be discharged as an inpatient to a homeless placement is not an ideal start to recovery for mental wellbeing,’ Mr Hodge said.
‘If that is the case, if there is no other way we need to get that transition right. Sometimes that discharge planning isn’t as good as it could or should be.’
Mr Garrett said that he shared Mr Hodge’s concerns about the mental wellbeing of young Islanders.
‘I think there is a huge pressure on youngsters today about success,’ he said. ‘I know of young people coming to the end of their education seeing people earning huge amounts of money.
‘They want to move into that affluent part of life and the pressure to get there I think is enormous.’
Mr Hodge also told the panel that those struggling to find affordable, appropriate housing as well as battling alcohol and drug issues accessed the service.
And he added that many of the young people coming to Shelter Trust have been within the care system.
‘They have struggled with that transition from adolescence to young adult to someone who is an adult able to act in a mature way, to have positive relationships and hold down a job,’ he said.
Mr Garrett said that early intervention was vital to stop a cycle of homelessness.
‘There is well-established research around the world which shows that young people who become homeless are likely to return to homelessness in various periods of their lives unless things are put in place in early stages of their life.
‘The emphasis should be put on prevention. People should not get to Shelter.’
Panel chairwoman Mary Le Hegarat, vice-chairman Deputy Kevin Pamplin and panel members Deputies Carina Alves and Trevor Pointon were sitting.
