Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in North America and Europe in every community costing the U.S. over half a trillion dollars per year. Mental health is defined as the emotional and social wellbeing and psychological resources for dealing with the day-to-day problems of life. Mental illness is the term describing all mental disorders. Mental disorders are health conditions that are identified by changes in thinking and behavior. Mental disorders as well as mental impairment can occur from postnatal exposure to physical, chemical, and biological agents, like secondhand cigarette smoke. Brain function impairment can be caused by trauma, such as a car crash or bullet wound, or by disease, such as syphilis, cancer, or stroke. Maladaptive family functioning (such as having a parent with mental illness, or substance abuse problem) poverty, experiencing violence, physical or sexual abuse, or neglect can also lead to mental illness. Growing up in neighborhoods marked by social division leads to discrimination, and social hardship adds to the risk.
In our culture, money, status, and social power all play a part in how individuals think that others perceive them. There is growing evidence that shows the link between socioeconomic status and unhealthy psychological outcomes in mental health. When looking at higher levels of socioeconomic status for youth it shows a more positive and healthy psychological outcome for youth and their mental health. Studies have shown that there are higher rates of attempted suicide, cigarette smoking and engaging in episodic heavy drinking (“Pardon Our Interruption”). Other studies have shown that lower levels of socioeconomic status have been linked to emotional and behavioral difficulties, like anxiety, depression, attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorders (“Pardon Our
Over the last two decades, there have been numerous research studies that link mental health as the foundation for all health, social, organizational and educational recovery (Ormston, 2014; McLaren, Belling, Paul, Ford, Kramer, Weaver, Singh, 2013). The American society and the global world continues to witness catastrophic human induced incidences that often times point to the increasing need to pay attention to the declining state of a global mental health community. Evidence links the interconnectedness of the mind and body and attributes health and social problems direct linkage to inattention to mental health (Rubin, 2014). Despite medical, social and technological advances, we continue to lack understanding of the complexities of the human mind which has further alienated our understanding of ourselves.
Studies do show that low income can lead to poor mental health as well. People with low income will typically suffer from stress, depression, low self-esteem or stigma (Sieppert, 2004). Families that live in poverty are often geared away from getting an education, or secure employment (Poverty and Mental Illness, 2007). These families lack the health care that they need, health care does not necessarily need to be when you get injured, but mental health. Although, some may disagree, people with mental illnesses need just as much help. Families in poverty experience economic hardships, these could be things like losing a job, a house, or education (Poverty and Mental Illness, 2007). These are essential needs that everyone needs to be entitled to, to be able to live a healthy life. Losing these kinds of essentials will absolutely cause stress, which can sometime follow up with anxiety and depression (Poverty and Mental Illness, 2007). According to statistic, 1 in 5 people in Ontario will suffer from a mental illness, and 35% of those people are living on social support from the government (Poverty and Mental Illness, 2007). This stress could also come from how expensive basic living conditions are in
According to the World Health Organization, the relationship between mental health and poverty is particularly important: the poor and the deprived have a higher prevalence of disorders, including substance abuse. Society does not take well to poverty especially to individuals living in poverty that have a mental illness. In some instances, mental illness can be a cause for individuals living in poverty. When individuals cannot afford health insurance how are they going to afford medication for the
The reason is because mental illness can affect any age group despite of race, ethnicity, and gender. It causes number of negative impacts to individuals, their families, and society. Therefore, it is very essential that we pay greater attention to promotion and prevention in mental health in order to reduce the burdens of mental illness. First of all, we can improve nutrition for people, especially children living in poverty by providing nutritional interventions such as food supplementation (WHO, 2004, p.24). Good nutrition helps them to maintain good physical health and improves education outcomes. It reduces their risks for mental illness. Another prevention strategy which could be very cost effective is early intervention programs such as home visiting program during pregnancy and early infancy (WHO, 2004, p.27). This program benefits for the mothers and the infant. The parents are educated in parental skills, and health risks of smoking or substances use. This program is very effective in preventing or reducing child abuse or neglect. For children who have parents with mental illness or family disruptions such as divorced parents, parental death, there are school-based programs providing social supports and reduce stigmatization. It decreases their risk of developing depressive disorder and behavioral problems (WHO, 2004, p.31). Improving social support is also the prevention strategy
The constraints of poverty can cause a cycle of poor mental and physical heath (Dittmann, 2003). Poverty causes many problems for the people facing it up front everyday. Not only do they go without many necessities, they also face a tremendous amount of stress all the time. The amount of stress combined with the lack of necessities produces extreme health problems. Poor people have to deal with an unhealthy living environment that creates serious mental and physical health problems.
The lifestyle that people live in can ultimately change what your mental health standing can be. Social status is something that can be a huge determinant for someone’s mental health. Within Canada a lot of people worry what other people think of them. One way someone can feel excluded through life is through economic exclusions. If someone is looked at to be rich they are looked at to have a better mental health status, but if they are poor than they will be more susceptible to mental health issues in their life. When people have more money it means that they will have an easier life where they have nothing to worry about. Poor people are more likely to be mentally ill because they do not have the friends or support to help them get better.
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights mental health as an important health issue through it’s overarching definition of health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (1)." Mental health can be defined as the position in which a person is at an optimal level of psychological, social and emotional wellbeing (2). It is important to note that these definitions are framed within a health lense and it is necessary to understand that health is influenced by broader social determinants (Buse et al.
Psychology of Poverty And Its Impact On Mental Health. (n.d.). Retrieved May 05, 2014, from Best MSW Program: http://www.bestmswprograms.com
As understanding of this relationship grows, it becomes ever more apparent that mental health is crucial to not only the wellbeing of individuals but also societies and countries (WHO, 2001). A number of researches have tackled the different rising concerns about physical and mental health. It is in the 20th century where we have seen great improvements in health more than any other time in history. These major advances are results of new knowledge about the causes, prevention, and treatment of diseases that have been achieved through the consolidation of different individuals and organizations who only wish to make policies and programmes on health more accessible to many. Nonetheless, just as these studies increase in number people seem to not have the same regard to mental health as they do with physical health. People value their physical well-being and neglect their mental health concerns. They seem to have forgotten that neither physical nor mental health can exist alone. Mental health is also an integral part of human life and must be given importance as
Poverty in mental health prevents patients from seeking out medical attention due to lack of insurance. “insurance coverage disparities make mental health care less accessible than other forms of health care” (Safran, 2011). Due to lack of insurance patients are not receiving adequate care, such as being evaluated, receiving the appropriate treatments, and not going to doctor follow up appointments to ensure proper care. Without receiving proper treatment, it can cause the patient condition to get worse and would not have a chance of a successful outcome. Also, poverty can cause additional stress and anxiety making the mental illness progress. “The stresses of living with someone who has a mental health problem may be particularly pronounced for families who live in resource poor areas where treatment options, accurate information, and social support may be limited.” (Bischoff, 2017). Lack of attention is another health disparities, due to lack of attention, there is limited funding sources to help mental health patients. Since there is a lack of funding these individuals are not getting the appropriate help that is needed. As well since mental health lacks attention and funding, there are limited mental health institutions, so people who need to be institutionalized may be required to be relocated to another city/state. We must try our best to provide all resources for our patients and
According to The World Health Organisation (WHO) a Social Determinant of Health “Are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age” Social determinates of health (The World Health Organisation, 2017). (Charted institute of Environmental Health, 2015) says that poor housing can lead to poor health and intensify existing health conditions meaning housing is a key determinant of health as it affects people from birth to older age. Throughout this essay the physical mental health needs of individuals, families and communities will be shown and how housing may affect this.
Jenkins, Baingana, Ahmad, McDaid, and Atun (2011) explained the social, economic, human rights, and political challenges to global mental health. They utilized available studies to explain the relationship between mental health, poverty, and debt, the need for more health economics research on cost-effective interventions, policy and practice, and the role of mental health services in primary care. In summary, they explained that mental disorders impose a significant economic burden in high, middle, and low-income countries causing poverty to be both a determinant and a consequence of poor mental health. Inequalities in mental health are pervasive and may explain the poverty phenomenon. Mental health care needs to be more accessible especially for the low-income population. Cost effective techniques need to be researched in order to make this happen but the current research suggests that policy development and revision globally, as well as, primary care-led mental health system are what is needed to improve the mental health sector. Ngui, Khasakhala, Ndetei, and Roberts (2010) also discussed available research on the inequalities in treatment for mental disorders. They thoroughly discussed the pervasive occurrence of mental disorders and
Low socioeconomic status is one-factor influencing mental health. With a low income, there is the struggle with food insecurity. Food insecurity is a limited or uncertain