Couchsurfers At Greater Risk Of Suicide And Self-Harm Than Those On The Street
A new study has found young couchsurfers are reporting worse mental health and are at greater risk of suicide and self-harm than those sleeping on the streets.
The study is already challenging the idea that couchsurfing is inherently safer than sleeping rough. It finds the majority of couchsurfers are young women, and includes a high rate of LGBTIQ Australians.
The research’s early results showed coach surfers are twice as likely to describe their mental health as “poor” than those sleeping rough, they also reported a higher rates of suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviour.
Rhianon Vichta, the Research and Evaluation Co-ordinator at Brisbane Youth Services spoke to The Daily about the findings.
