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	One-in-three homeless people who took part in a health survey said they had tried to take their own lives.</p>
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	And more than half have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, the report by the Health Service Executive (HSE) revealed.</p>
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	More than 600 homeless people aged 18 or over in Dublin and Limerick cities were surveyed by the Partnership for Health Equity in September 2013.</p>
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	The HSE report found that while much has been done already to improve care and access for homeless people there is an urgent need to step up supports.</p>
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	More needs to be done to improve their poor health, particularly mental health and addiction, which are a barrier to getting out of homelessness.</p>
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	The homeless group surveyed were mostly men, Catholic, single and under 45.</p>
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	The vast majority were unemployed and lived on social welfare payments. Many cited family problems,drugs and alcohol addiction for contributing to their homelessness.</p>
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	Over half reported mental illness and more than a third had self -harmed. Half of those reporting a mental health diagnosis had attempted suicide</p>
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	When compared to a similar survey in 1997 and 2005, the homeless are now more likely to be diagnosed with ill health.</p>
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	More are using health services and most have seen a GP or nurse in the previous six months. There are also more homeless with a medical card and they are more inclined to attend hospital A&amp;Es.</p>
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	The findings of the survey were released as Brother Kevin Crowley of the Capuchin Centre in Dublin made a direct appeal to the Government to tackle the homeless crisis.</p>
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	The centre is now feeding some 800 people a day which is &quot;huge,&quot; he stressed adding: &quot;The big problem I can see at the moment is the housing situation.&quot;</p>
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	Brother Kevin visited the new factory-made modular houses houses for the homeless, which he described as fabulous.</p>
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	&quot;This is a short-term solution to make sure that in future that the proper housing will be made available for the homeless,&quot; he said. &quot;The situation is serious at the moment.&quot;</p>
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	http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/one-in-three-of-homeless-people-attempted-suicide-31554020.html</p>
