Stress and mental health challenges experienced by third sector homelessness services workers during the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland

Working in services providing support to people experiencing homelessness can be profoundly challenging. Staff can experience high levels of stress, burnout and, if not supported, may subsequently leave their jobs. This is made more complex by the high rates of drug and alcohol related deaths occurring in Scotland compounded by the current Covid-19 situation. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of stress and mental health/wellbeing of these staff, to inform service provision during a pandemic within this sector, and to identify specific staff support needs and how these could be met.