The COVID-19 pandemic has left a traumatising mark on society, and its aftermath in social housing has been particularly pronounced, especially concerning mental health. Case Management Solutions Group (CMSG), a leading provider of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and community safety solutions, has observed a significant shift in the nature of ASB cases since the pandemic's onset. Ben Hunt, managing director of CMSG, explains the mental health crisis in social housing.
Since March 2021, 90% of the cases CMSG has handled have had a mental health component, making them considerably more complex to resolve through traditional enforcement channels. This trend has not stopped; social landlords across the UK continue to grapple with increasingly complex ASB cases, often involving mental health challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly given way to a mental health pandemic, presenting a challenge for landlords and communities alike. With 18 years of experience running the out-of-hours ASB Respect Line, CMSG is uniquely positioned to observe this shift. Frustrated yet well-meaning community members involved in prolonged ASB cases due to perpetrators' mental health issues are a frequent issue.
A pressing concern emerges: while much attention is given to the mental health of perpetrators, what about the psychological well-being of the victims?
Engaging with Mental Health Teams has become increasingly difficult, as these services are stretched to their limits. Not only are they managing their existing client base, but they're also tackling a new group of individuals at serious risk of enforcement action due to ongoing ASB.
This situation has led to a worrying trend. Residents experiencing ASB often feel that reporting incidents is pointless as nothing comes of it, as reported through both the Respect Line service and the ASB App. There's a growing risk of repeat victims either ceasing to report ASB or, more alarmingly, taking matters into their own hands.
In the past three years, CMSG has engaged with numerous Housing Association and Local Authority clients who face similar struggles when attempting to involve mental health services. What needs to change to get this under control? Increased mental health resources, earlier assessments, and meaningful interventions are key to addressing this issue. Without support from higher authorities and a real shift in the approach to mental health in ASB cases, swift resolutions for victims are difficult to envision.
Landlords must show that they have engaged thoroughly and do everything they can to support victims. But even proactive landlords find themselves in an almost impossible position, unable to progress to the formal assessment stage for perpetrators, receive feedback or meaningful outcomes from mental health professionals.
With the recent government change, we all hope mental health and ASB will be considered higher priorities. To drive these changes, we need to prioritise victims, regardless of whether the repeat perpetrator has mental health issues.
CMSG is actively seeking collaboration with landlords taking an innovative approach to ASB, particularly with mental health issues, and welcomes insights and conversations from organisations that have successfully navigated these mental health challenges and achieved faster outcomes for victims. Please contact Ben at ben.hunt@cmsg.uk.com to discuss successful strategies or new ideas.
The mental health crisis in social housing demands immediate attention and decisive action. As we emerge from the shadow of COVID-19, we must confront this new pandemic with the same urgency and resolve. CMSG calls on housing providers, mental health services, and policymakers to unite in prioritising victims, streamlining interventions and fostering resilient communities. By returning to fundamental principles and embracing innovative solutions, we can break the cycle of ASB and create safer, healthier living environments for all residents. The time for change is now. Let's work together to transform challenges into opportunities and build a more supportive, responsive social housing sector.