Wealth Disparities And Their Effects: The Mental Health Impact Of Poverty On Minority Families

Income barriers and disparities that may be in place due to a history of inequality and systemic racism may contribute to a disproportionately higher level of poverty in non-white populations. Poverty, in turn, can contribute to the development of various mental health concerns. Seeking treatment can involve many barriers, but some providers may offer services for sliding-scale fees. Online therapy can also be a cost-effective mental healthcare option.

Financial insecurity can contribute to mental health challenges

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The connection between poverty and mental health challenges

A mother’s malnutrition can also contribute to lower brain weight and problems with cognitive and emotional development, especially when coupled with hunger in a child’s early developmental years. 

Under-resourced schools can compound the early challenges of the developing child. Often, necessary services are either underfunded or not available. These schools also frequently lack the supplies and technology needed to maximize the educational experience and address the health status of many children. 

With many classrooms being crowded, it can be easy for students with educational needs or behavioral challenges to be overlooked. As at-risk children grow into adulthood, they often continue to lack the social safety net and services that may help them. 

In addition to the challenges associated with poverty, minority families in this socioeconomic bracket may also witness racial discrimination, violence, and racial microaggressions throughout their lifetimes. This kind of continual exposure to traumatic events can contribute to a greater risk of mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and a wide range of cognitive or developmental challenges often lead to other challenges, like substance misuse. 

These challenges can contribute to adverse health effects over time. Health inequalities can mean these health problems may go unaddressed or are inadequately treated, and loss of life at early ages can also contribute to the continuance of the poverty cycle in these communities. 

Additional barriers to mental healthcare for minority families

Aside from poverty itself, there can be other challenges for minority families living in poverty to get the mental or behavioral health services they deserve. Cost can be a barrier, and many individuals may have inadequate healthcare coverage or no coverage at all. 

In addition, there can be a mental health stigma in certain communities. Some may look at mental illness as a sign of weakness or fail to recognize it as a health condition at all. Others may have religious objections, be extremely discreet in their personal lives, or believe that getting their child mental health services may lead to problems succeeding in life. 

Finally, there can be a significant lack of therapists who come from and work with these populations. Minority therapists tend to be less common, with approximately 75.9% of mental health counselors being white, according to a 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Many individuals from minority groups are uncomfortable sharing with someone that they believe can’t understand their struggles.

How therapy may improve population health 

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), men who are in the top 1% income bracket usually live close to 15 years longer than those in the bottom 1%, with a 10-year difference in women of the same socioeconomic differences. Researchers believe that stress can be a major contributor to these numbers. 

Stress can contribute to the development of a number of mental health conditions, and it may also be a risk factor for unhealthy behaviors, such as drinking alcohol, smoking, substance use, and inactivity. These challenges, in turn, can contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and cognitive decline. 

Evidence-based therapeutic approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy can offer effective tools and strategies for managing stress, implementing healthy lifestyle habits, learning conflict management skills, improving communication, and generally enhancing mental and physical health outcomes over time. 

APA researchers also found that certain interventions could be effective at improving mental health outcomes specifically for disadvantaged groups, such as mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation. Family therapy may also have a positive impact on improving communication between parents and children, as well as teaching parents the skills to build healthy attachments. 

Improved mental and physical health markers can help to stop the cycle of generational trauma that can affect many minority families living in poverty. On an individual level, this can mean a greater chance for members of these families to come out on the other side of poverty and establish their future in the middle class or beyond. 

On a societal level, a healthier population may require improved resources for proactive healthcare, rather than a focus on reactive care. By taking a proactive approach, money and effort may be saved and could lead to better health outcomes in the long term. 

Finding mental health resources for families living in poverty

Organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) are currently working to educate the public about mental health concerns and find ways to bridge health disparities. 

In the meantime, there are some resources for free and sliding-scale mental healthcare, as well as emergency resources, that can be found through the CDC. This includes options for seeking help for abuse and substance misuse, as well as finding providers for the elderly, LGBTQIA+ youth and adults, and veterans. 

While it can often be difficult to find a practitioner who is a part of and has experience working with certain minority populations, online therapy can make it easier to find the right therapist for you. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can match with a licensed professional who meets your needs and preferences, and you can change therapists until you find the right fit for no additional cost. 

Research has found that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for treating a wide range of mental health conditions, and, in many cases, it can be more cost-effective as well.