October 10th marks both World Mental Health Day and World Homeless Day, two global awareness days that land on the same date each year. At Printed by Us, we believe they’re deeply connected.
This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is: “It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace.” It’s a powerful message, and one that hits close to home for us, because everything we do is built around creating a workplace that supports mental wellbeing, stability, and purpose for people who’ve experienced homelessness and other challenges.
The Link Between Homelessness and Mental Health
The connection between homelessness and mental health isn’t new, but it’s still often misunderstood. Mental health issues can both lead to and result from homelessness. For many, the lack of safe housing becomes a breeding ground for anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use. And without stable support, it's incredibly difficult to begin healing.
According to Homeless Link:
- 80% of people experiencing homelessness in the UK report a mental health need.
- Fewer than half receive support.
- Many have also faced barriers to employment, discrimination, and stigma, especially in workplaces.
This is why the workplace itself matters. As well as the paycheck, it’s about being part of something, building self-worth, and feeling safe enough to grow.
What a Mental Health–Positive Workplace Looks Like
At Printed by Us, we’re trying to redefine what a workplace can be, especially for people coming who have experienced trauma or challenging situations. Here’s how we do it:
- Supported employment: Our staff are paid the Real Living Wage to take part in printing, shop work, writing, cleaning, and other roles.
- Flexible and person-centred: We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Everyone’s journey looks different and that’s okay.
- Mindful routines: Screen printing itself is a slow, hands-on process that allows for focus, reflection, and a break from the stress of daily life.
- A culture of care: We aim to create a non-judgemental, empowering environment where people are seen as people, not just employees.
- Access to support: We work closely with The Archer Project and other local organisations to connect our team with the help they need, whether that’s mental health services, housing advice or training opportunities.
A Reminder for All Workplaces
This year’s theme is a timely reminder for employers everywhere. It’s not enough to tick a box or throw around words like “wellbeing.” It’s about real action.
That means:
- Listening to staff
- Offering flexibility
- Understanding that mental health and productivity are linked
- Building environments where people feel valued, supported, and safe to show up as they are
You don’t have to be a social enterprise to do this, but we hope we can be one example of how it’s possible.
How You Can Support the Work
If you want to help us continue creating meaningful, mental health–positive jobs, here’s how:
🛒 Shop with purpose – Every t-shirt, hoody, and print funds paid employment and training for people in recovery.
📣 Spread the word – Talk about the link between homelessness and mental health. Share our story or others doing similar work.
🎨 Join a workshop – Our screen printing sessions are open to the public and a great way to connect through creativity.
💚 Support local services – Organisations like The Archer Project provide vital first steps toward recovery.
This October 10th, let’s remember that the workplace can either harm or help someone’s mental health. We believe in making it a place for healing.
