Behavioral Health
The stress of experiencing homelessness can amplify previous mental illness and trigger anxiety, depression, fear, substance use, and sleeplessness.
UCSF BHHI behavioral health research focuses on people’s access to permanent housing, mental health services, shelters, and substance abuse support to prevent and end homelessness in the United States.
Related Resources
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News
Drastic changes coming to homeless services, new Trump order promises
July 31, 2025
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The United States is taking a sharp turn in how it addresses homelessness after a new executive order calling for more "involuntary commitment," which is a process in which mental health workers can forcibly detain and medicate people against their will. Studies have shown that the housing first model is significantly cheaper and more effective than involuntary detention.
"Americans want there to be no homelessness. And this is...a formula to worsen homelessness," says BHHI Director Dr. Margot Kushel of efforts to expand involuntary detentions & withdraw funding from communities that don't comply.
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Videos
Webinar: Behavioral Health & Homelessness: Findings from CASPEH
March 20, 2025
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Homelessness and behavioral health issues (mental health and substance use) are intertwined. The UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative held a webinar about this complex bidirectional relationship, along with solutions to this crisis. Margot Kushel, MD, Claudine Sipili, Darrell Steinberg, JD, and Stephanie Welch, MSW, discussed findings from the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH), highlighted key policy recommendations, and answered audience questions. Marc Dones moderated the webinar.
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Reports
Behavioral Health and Homelessness
March 19, 2025
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Behavioral health challenges both contribute to and are exacerbated by homelessness. To better understand behavioral health and homelessness, we examined data from the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness. Our latest report examines the relationship between homelessness, substance use, and mental health, providing critical insights for policymakers, program leaders, Continuum of Care leaders, and healthcare systems.
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Press Release
New UCSF BHHI Report Examines the Relationship Between Homelessness and Drug Use
March 19, 2025
Press Release
New UCSF BHHI Report Examines the Relationship Between Homelessness and Drug Use
March 19, 2025
The University of California, San Francisco Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) today released a report that examines the issues of homelessness and behavioral health (substance use and mental health) and makes recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
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