There is some evidence that income has direct and indirect relationships with mental health. Humphries & van Doorslaer (2000) found that there is no direct relationship between income and mental health. They found some confounding factors that could affect the mental health. Other researchers Akhtar – Danesh and Landeen (2007), and Leray et al., (2011) found there is direct relationship of income and mental health. Therefore, in this section we will discuss factors that have direct and indirect relationship with mental health such as living necessities, income and policy. As well what effects they have on mental health of low income adults. Daily living necessities Food. Food is basic human needs and is one of the principal factor of determinants …show more content…
Housing is crucial factor because it provides with self-identity, expression (Mikkonen & Raphael, 2010) and it is the place where we spend most of our life (Bentley, Mason, Submanian &Kavanagh, 2011). The living cost in past 20 years has been increased in the cities. The renters spend about 30% of the total income for rent (Williams et al., 2012). But, it is higher in cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. One third of Canadians are renters of low income level and their rent increasing faster than their income of household. This cause many families and individuals without unsafe housing. There are increasing numbers of families who live in motels, shelters or on the streets (Mikkonen & Raphael, 2010) which can be really stressful and can cause poor mental health (Bentley et al., 2011). In addition, housing insecurity is linked to mental health because it creates stress and inability to cope with it (Mikkonen & Raphael, 2010). It can be due to neighbourhood where your live that relates to chronic stressor because of living instability and lack of money (McMullin & Davies, 2010). There are many factors that can lead to mental health problems related to housing. But without decent amount of income people cannot purchase healthy food and have safe housing. The next section will focus on income and mental …show more content…
Some of major companies in US and Canada in order to maximize shareholder profit move to other countries where labour is cheaper (Wyndham – West, Jan 11, 2018). The Electrolux corporation that was manufacturing refrigerators moved from United States to Michigan. Approximately 2,700 people in the US lost benefits, wages and unions. This had impact on people’s health including stress and anxiety. One of the representative of Electrolux company showed some sympathy to people who lost their job, however the company interested to make profit. This highlights the idea that we live in individualistic society which means people responsible for their own fate. Laws and public policies are implemented this way. This is neoliberalism ideology that not consider the lack of opportunities of people with low income and not pay attention to social and institution in their policy (Wyndham- West, Jan 11, 2018). The policy as WITB developed to help people with low income. But the range of the income is so narrow that it is not enough for people even to sustain healthy cognitive health. This was discussed in previous section that people below 30,000 have higher chance of depression. Further we will provide with recommendation for reduction poverty, WITB policies, the structure of the government need to be reshaped and more citzens need to be aware of income
Poor childhood development has adverse effects on brain growth and learning behaviours, which will have a negative effect on an individual’s future education and employment options. Without proper education, finding a job that provides safe working conditions and also pays well enough to afford housing is a challenging task, and will result in homelessness. Poor working conditions due to lack of education can negatively affect an individual’s health and can also contribute to homelessness. If an individual’s health is poor, it can prevent them from completing their job and can cause an individual to lose their employment and health insurance. Without income or health care, an individual has no opportunity to recover and find new employment, which will result in homelessness. From examining several contributors of homelessness, it can be determined that in order to end homelessness, the issue must be addressed at the root of the problem, which is poor childhood development. From these observations, it is clear that social determinants of health can have an immense impact on an individual’s wellbeing, and can ultimately determine their success in
People that live in socially deprived areas are more likely to have mental illness, poverty, poor education and low socioeconomic status. This is mainly because of the conditions they have been brought up in and live in; if they lived in better conditions then they probably wouldn’t have health problems like this.
Structural factors of homelessness affect people due to circumstances and out of the control of the individual while individual factors are individual apply to the surroundings of a homeless person. Structural factors such as the availability of low-income housing and higher rental of housing exacerbate on the already burdening individual factors. Many researchers contribute homelessness to structural factors but advocates of human rights debunk this and highlights that the main reason for homelessness is due to mostly individual factors, which are health problems, poverty, and family breakdown also the domestic violence of women and child. Addressing the driving causes is the most significant strategy to minimize the homelessness population. Future research must put more attention on individual causes without denying the reality of structural causes (Main, 1998). Based on my research, individual factors are the main cause while the structural factors put more pressure on burdening individual factors that lead to
Homelessness as a result of deinstitutionalization in the US increased dramatically, tripling in 182 cities over the court of the 1980s (Bagenstos, 2012). In addition, mental health and substance abuse is a major problem in across the country because of homelessness. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,20 to 25% of the homeless population in the United States suffers from some form of severe mental illness (DMHAS, 2014). Consequently, mental illnesses disrupt people’s ability to carry out key aspects of daily life, such as self-care and household responsibilities. As a result of these factors and the stresses of living with a mental disorder, people with mentally illnesses are much more likely to become homeless than the general population (Karger, & Stoesz, 2014). Even if homeless individuals with mental illnesses are provided with housing, they are unlikely to achieve residential stability and remain off the streets unless they have access to continued treatment and services. In Connecticut there are a number of housing options that are in place like supportive housing. Research has shown that supported housing is effective for people with mental illnesses (DMHAS, 2014). Unfortunately, in Connecticut, lack of funding is a significant barrier to the successful implementation of supported housing programs. Because of homelessness people cycle between street corner, jail cell and hospital beds, in addition the homeless who are
2.1 2.1 2.1.1 2.2 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.3 2.3.1 2.4 2.4.1 I understand people need water and food, but
How many people are homeless in the United States, why are they homeless, and what percentage of homeless people are negatively impacted by mental illness? These issues will be presented in this paper.
Housing plays an important role in a person’s health and wellbeing. Access to open, green space and having good relationships with neighbours helps to boost mental health. Whilst, having a safe, dry and warm home to live in will benefit physical health (National Housing Federation, n.d.). According to the Royal College of Nursing (2012), there has been an enduring connection between poor health and bad housing.
The problems of homelessness and mental illness are inextricably intertwined. One way that mental illness impacts people's lives is that it oftentimes renders them unable to carry out the functions of daily life, such as keeping a job, paying their bills, and managing a household. In addition to disrupting the events of daily life, mental illness "may also prevent people from forming and maintaining stable relationships or cause people to misinterpret others' guidance and react irrationally" (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2009). What this means is that a population that is already vulnerable because of an inability to consistently manage self-care lacks the same safety net as much of the rest of society.
One common cause of depression that can be found no matter where you are in the world is poverty. In “What’s Behind the Gender Gap in Depression”, reporter Gretchen Cuda looks at how major depression is developed in both sexes, focusing mainly on women and their day-to-day struggles with the illness. “Being poor brings many types of stress, not the least of which is a feeling of loss of control over your life. That, in turn, can lead to negativity, passivity and lack of self-esteem--- and all those feelings increase the risk of depression.” (Cuda). Although Cuda focuses her report on women and depression, poverty is a factor that can lead to depression no matter what gender. The importance of financial stability and the stress that comes with worrying about money can take a toll on one’s physical as well as psychological health. Certain situations can occur in either gender but what occurs in the mind as well as methods of coping are what make the risk of depression differ for males and females.
Income and social status is one of the determinants of health. Being able to have a secured, low cost housing that provides for every individual or family during their whole lifetime is a major determinant of health and is important to good health. As Dr. David Hulchanski and colleague’s research “Three Cities” at the University of Toronto stated; “Housing insecurity is linked to income insecurity which is, in turn, leads to illness and premature death” (RNAO,2013). People who live in the street are more susceptible to physical and mental problem and are likely to die early due to sickness compared to general population. Homeless population are vulnerable to communicable diseases and substance abuse and this may jeopardize their health situation (RNAO, 2013). Health conditions become better as income and social status improve. Higher income means the affordability of an individual for a better way of life and providing their family a safe and secured environment. Being able to afford enough nutritious food on the table to share with the whole family is one of the most important things that an individual can hope for. In most cases, higher income and social status means more control and choices in their everyday lives. Some studies show that restricted options and poor coping skills while handling stress raises exposure that can lead to different kinds of diseases involving immune and hormonal systems. According to
This essay will explain how contemporary issues in mental health influence people’s social wellbeing. Mental health is a fundamental element of resilience, health assets, capabilities and positive adaption that enable individuals to cope with both adversity and to reach their full potential and humanity. The impact on inequalities of health and other outcomes are sourced from mental health. For example, chronic stress of struggling with material disadvantage is intensified to a very considerable degree by doing so in more unequal societies.
This paper will explain how poverty and mental illness go hand in hand. Mental illness seems to be a cause and effect situation. Sometimes mental illness causes poverty and other poverty causes the mental illness. This paper will also give possible solutions for the problem.
Income can impact both your physical health and your mental health in a multitude of ways. Income plays a role in determining the level of health care you can afford, surgeries you can have done, and even the food you choose to eat. Stress from lack of income can have detrimental effects on your mental state as well.
Mental health is a main cause for concern in low income areas and money worries can lead to anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, insomnia and perhaps even suicide.
As discussed previously women tend to have lower incomes then men this leads to higher levels of poverty in women. In the U.S 56% of people living in poverty are women, globally that percentage jumps to 70%. Not surprisingly women responsible for children are the largest group of people living in poverty. The combination of financial insecurity, heavy workloads with minimal pay and the emotional responsibility of caring for children can exact a heavy toll on women’s emotional health. Poverty also has an effect on a women’s physical health. Adverse health outcomes are two times higher amongst people in disadvantaged social position compared to those in advantaged social position. With a lack of access to proper housing and nutrition many women living in poverty experience distressing medical conditions and have no access to proper medical care. These issues can lead to adverse effects on mental health and psychological disorders (Astbury,