Why does Poverty affect Mental Health.
Millions of individuals worldwide are impacted by mental health issues, which are becoming an increasingly important global issue. Research has found a high association between poverty and mental health issues. Poverty is a global problem that affects many regions of the world. We shall examine the relationship between poverty and mental health issues in this blog( connection of poverty on mental health).https://nwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7525587/
Â
Poverty and Mental Health:
According to research, folks who are poor are more prone to suffer from mental health issues than those who are not. Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can result from poverty, which is a complicated situation. Poor people frequently experience a variety of difficulties, such as limited access to healthcare, food insecurity, homelessness, and financial instability, all of which can exacerbate mental health problems.https://research.senedd.wales/research-articles/poverty-and-mental-health-it-s-a-two-way-street/#:~:text=Inequalities%20in%20society%20are%20associated,and%20comparatively%20poor%20physical%20health.
Around 1 in 4 people globally will have mental health issues at some point in their lives, according to the World Health Organization.
According to a research in the Journal of the American Medical Association, persons who are poor have a 2-3 times higher risk of developing mental health issues than those who are not.
Only 2% of Americans who were over the poverty line reported having serious psychological anguish, compared to over 10% of those who were below it.
According to a National Alliance on Mental Illness survey, 64% of those with mental illness faced financial difficulties as a result of their illness.
Up to 85% of those with mental health issues in low-income nations do not receive any therapy at all.
Â
Stress:
One of the main causes of mental health issues in those who live in poverty is stress. Numerous stress-related symptoms, such as persistent anxiety, fear, and concern, can be a result of living in poverty. Stress levels can be influenced by housing insecurity, food insecurity, and financial hardship. Numerous mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can be brought on by ongoing stress..https://www.nami.org/
Depression:
Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from depression, a prevalent mental health issue. Living in poverty increases the likelihood of developing depression compared to living above the poverty line. Poverty is a substantial risk factor for depression. People who are poor may have various causes of depression, such as social exclusion, a lack of access to treatment, and ongoing stress.
Anxiety:
Another typical mental health issue that is related to poverty is anxiety. Because of poor living conditions, financial instability, and lack of access to healthcare, those who live in poverty may experience anxiety. Heart disease, stroke, and depression are just a few of the physical and emotional health issues that chronic anxiety can cause.
Â
PTSD:
A mental health condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is frequently linked to stressful events like war, violence, or natural disasters. But PTSD can also be a risk factor for poverty. Poverty may expose people to traumatic situations like crime or violence, which can cause PTSD.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, mental health issues are significantly increased by poverty. Poor people frequently experience a variety of difficulties, including limited access to healthcare, food insecurity, and financial instability, all of which can have an impact on their mental health. Among the mental health issues that might be related to poverty include chronic stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Promoting mental health and lowering the burden of mental health issues globally need addressing poverty and offering support to individuals who live there.https://nationalhomeless.org/