The Mental Health Impact Of Poverty On Minority Families
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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.
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.
Takeaway
What is the mental health impact of poverty for women?
Women with incomes that are below the poverty line can experience several mental health challenges. According to the American Psychological Association, women living in poverty have high rates of mental illness. For example, research shows that women who are economically disadvantaged experience higher rates of depression compared to the general population. Women in low-income households may also experience more traumatic events, which can lead to challenges like PTSD or anxiety.
How does living in poverty contribute to mental illness?
Several factors can contribute to the prevalence of mental illness in people with economic disadvantages. There is evidence that when people live in poverty, they are more likely to experience stress. Financial anxiety—which can occur when people live paycheck to paycheck—is a common challenge for those who are economically disadvantaged. A lack of resources can also make it harder for people to utilize mental health services.
For those with poverty and mental health challenges, is income a barrier to mental health care?
Low-income families can experience several obstacles to care. People living in poverty typically seek care at a lower rate than those in higher-income households. Because health insurance is tied to employment, some people may not have insurance plans that cover mental health care. Additionally, stigma surrounding mental health may cause some people to avoid seeking care.
What are the stigmas associated with poverty and mental health?
Society often places a high value on wealth, associating an individual’s worth with their ability to earn and accumulate money. This can cause people who experience poverty to feel stigmatized based on their income. The stigma connected to poverty can lead individuals to develop a negative self-image and experience various mental health challenges.
How does living in poverty affect mental health?
When it comes to the connection between poverty and mental health, problem debt (which occurs when an individual accumulates debt without paying it back) can be a significant factor. There is evidence that nearly one in five people who develop mental health challenges experience problem debt. Low-income households also experience higher levels of depression. The mental health effects of financial hardship highlight the importance of tackling poverty in vulnerable communities.
Does income affect mental health?
Studies show that income does affect mental health. According to the Mental Health Foundation, there exists “a strong socioeconomic gradient in mental health, with people of lower socioeconomic status having a higher likelihood of developing and experiencing mental health problems”. In one study, researchers found that income decreases were associated with worsening mental health among working-age adults.
How does poverty contribute to mental illness?
There are several poverty-related social determinants that can affect an individual’s mental well-being. Financial challenges can cause people to worry about how they will cover their basic needs, potentially leading to concerns like depression and anxiety. People who experience poverty may also develop substance use disorder. Experts have linked poverty in Scotland to the fact that it has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in western Europe.
What is the mental health impact of poverty on children?
Children are more likely to experience poverty than people of any other age group. And they can develop varied mental health concerns as a consequence of the negative effects of poverty. Overall, children living in poverty have a higher risk of developing mental health disorders. Symptoms of these conditions can affect children’s social and academic lives. For example, trouble focusing—which is common among young people living in poverty—can affect a child’s ability to receive a proper education. Additionally, public schools in economically disadvantaged communities may not have sufficient resources, which can impact students’ ability to receive mental health counseling, career guidance, etc.
What is the impact of poverty on mental health?
Data shows that people who live in poverty are at greater risk of mental ill-health than the general population. Findings from a systematic review that involved over seven million participants show that there is a strong relationship between poverty and poorer overall mental health.
What are the impacts of poor mental health?
When it comes to mental health, problems can arise when individuals experience functional impairment, develop concurrent physical health concerns, or undergo emotional challenges. Poor mental health can affect an individual’s ability to foster a healthy social life, practice self-care, and pursue their interests. The impacts of poor mental health help underscore the need for widely available care and prevention programs.
How does mental health affect others around you?
Some people struggle to understand mental health challenges, especially if they have never experienced them personally. If you’re experiencing mental health concerns, you may notice changes in the behavior of family members, acquaintances, coworkers, etc. Your loved ones may become concerned about you if they see that symptoms of a mental health condition are negatively affecting you. Living with a mental disorder can also make it harder for you to fulfill your duties at work, which may impact your professional relationships.
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