Correlation between Mental Health and Poverty

During the course of this year one in four people will experience a mental health problem. There is a lot of confusion over what mental health is and the best ways to help those who are in need. With reference to social policy provision this essay will analyse, what provisions are made for those people who suffer from mental health, and explore if there is a direct link between mental health and poverty, what is meant by mental health, what are the mental health policies and what are the relevant aspects in today’s human right frameworks?

The term mental health is used to describe to a wide range of symptoms and experiences. These are things such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, schizophrenia and manic depression. People are not born with mental health problems the problems can develop at any time and each person’s experience is individual to him or her. They can last anything from several weeks to a lifetime (mental health foundation 2013). It is estimated that mental disorders affect more than a third of the population every year, the most common of these being depression and anxiety. Mind recognises that some of the causes of mental health to range from difficult family backgrounds, genes, bio chemistry, difficult life events and social problems. Some of the effects of mental health can be self-harm, suicidal thoughts and panic attacks (Mind 2013). Mental health social policy guidelines have been put into place to reflect the aims and needs of those with mental health disorders, these include the Scottish Government Mental health strategy for Scotland 2012-2015, this sets out range of commitments across the full spectrum of mental health improvement, to ensure quality care and treatment another policy is ...

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...s with dignity and respect is one of the upmost priorities. Social policies have been put in place to protect those in need, and to give them the best care possible, in an environment that best suits their need. It is clear to see that there is a direct link between poverty and mental health, poverty can be the cause and a direct effect of those with mental health disorders. With the main factor being that of lack of employment opportunities. This can lead to poverty and also decrease social interaction which can be of benefit to those in need. The World health organisation sees the positive dimension of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. For those experiencing this health problem the importance of a regulated and coherent social policy framework plays a big part in their recovery