What Is Supported Living for People with Mental Health Challenges?
Supported living provides integrated care and support to a person within their own home or in supported housing. With supported living, people with mental health needs have the opportunity to choose the level of service, varying from a couple of hours a week to 24-hour, round-the-clock care. It’s important to ensure all care services are tailored to a person’s unique needs, supporting them through their mental health journey.
With supported living services, people get access to personal care and support, assistance with household activities, medication administration and everything a person needs for independent living. Supported living provides a range of mental health services, from supported housing and housing management to community-based floating support.
These services are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Support services can be provided by local communities or charities and run by private healthcare providers. In most cases, social services will inform you about your local supported living services that will fit your needs.
Benefits of Supported Living for People with Mental Health Challenges
Supported living for mental health provides a significant level of independence, ensuring that the individual has proper supported housing and access to care and support when they need it.
Tailored support services encourage people to develop their skills and strengths, providing a sense of empowerment and peace of mind while living in the local community. With supported living services, including supported housing, people learn to be more self-reliant while receiving assistance when needed from professional and experienced carers.
Some of the benefits of supported living for people with mental health challenges include:
- Support with mental health challenges
- Improved physical health
- Improved living skills
- Communication with friends and community
- Intentional use of time
- Helps manage relationships
- Helps with addictive behaviour
- Helps with building identity and self-esteem
- Instils trust and hope
The benefits of supported living services for people with mental health challenges revolve around person-centred and humanised care, imprinting human touch in every area of support.
Who Might Need Supported Living Services for Mental Health Challenges?
People with mental health challenges may require some level of support to live the life they desire. Supported living services aim to provide assistance and promote independence for people with mental health needs.
While every individual is unique, people in supported living may face a range of challenges, some of which include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Disruptive behaviour
- Personality disorders
- Autism
- Learning disabilities
- Substance misuse
- Acquired brain injury
Like every one of us, people with mental health challenges need emotional comfort and support and a sense of acceptance and belonging. With supported living services, people gain responsibility for managing their own bills, which allows them to grow independence and self-reliance.
Maintaining Mental Health and Well-Being in Supported Living Settings
Maintaining mental health and welfare is crucial for every individual’s general well-being. Despite the stigma and prejudices, people are gaining awareness about the importance of mental health and well-being. This is especially important for people who already manage mental health challenges and need reliable support.
Supported living services provide integrated care, including a healthy and balanced lifestyle, physical activities, and regular medical checks.
In addition, some of the most important factors provided by supported living services that contribute to a happy and rewarding life include:
- Implementing healthy eating habits
- Ensuring a good-quality sleep
- Social engagement
- Proactive support
- Regular physical activity
- Community
- Engaging in hobbies and individual interests
- Keeping people’s minds busy and productive
Whether you choose supported housing or support services at your own home, you will receive the level of care tailored to your needs and preferences.
Why Supported Living for People with Mental Health Challenges Brings Positive Impact
Mental health services around the world are aiming to provide sustainable and quality care for people with mental health challenges. Unfortunately, some communities still do not have adequate access to essential mental health care that upholds their rights and dignity.
Social and healthcare providers worldwide are striving to bring mental health services in line with the international standards of human rights constitute.
Supported living services allow people to make their own decisions about their accommodation, treatment and care, promoting active participation and community inclusion by embracing all the crucial areas of an individual’s life, including:
- Family
- Relationships
- Employment
- Day-to-day routines
- Education
- Housing
Nurseline Community Services support people with mental health challenges following a framework of person-centred, rights-based, and humanised approach to mental health. Our mental health practices in supported living services provide specific action steps to deliver care and support that respects every person’s inherent dignity.
Supported Living for People with Mental Health Challenges with Nurseline Community Services
At Nurseline Community Services, we promote dignity, respect, and a rights-based approach to every individual we support. Our experienced clinicians provide person–centred and humanised care to every individual, focusing on their capabilities and emotional needs.
We identify people’s skills, strengths, and talents by implementing a positive behaviour approach, which creates a life-changing difference in people with mental health challenges. With our in-house PBS (Positive Behaviour Support) and speech and language therapists, we prepare people to continue living independently with reduced support.
With our consistency and continuity of care, we instil hope and confidence in the people we support, fostering their independence and supporting their journey towards becoming full citizens in the community.
Nurseline Community Services is an expert in providing crisis management solutions, ready to act on call, 24/7. We provide care and support across the UK. For more information, contact our Bristol, Birmingham, and Gloucester offices.
Become a Support Worker for People with Mental Health Challenges
Working in the healthcare and social care sector is one of the most rewarding careers a person can have. As a support worker, you will support people with mental health challenges in becoming active citizens in the local community by fostering their independent living skills.
Caring for people in the most challenging times of their lives can inspire you to become a better version of yourself. Seeing the impact that your kindness, compassion and smile can have on another person’s life will motivate you to get up in the morning and make the world a better place.
If this sounds like a dream job, check out our open positions and join our Nurseline Community Services.
