Mental health articles

Poverty and Mental Health Care Mental health promotion among the poor
When faced with the problems of poverty, people may tend to think of mental health issues as being irrelevant. Some people assume that depression and other mental health problems are the
result of ‘materialism’ and ‘excess’, and that mental health problems are either a luxury for the poor or are the natural result of their poverty. These beliefs are wrong. Mental illnesses are not only more common in the poor, but they also have a greater impact on their health and ability to
work. Mental health problems are not the natural result of poverty; the fact is that most poor
people cope and stay in good mental health. Thus, mental health problems must be seen as
illnesses associated with poverty. In much the same way as you would give antibiotics for the treatment of tuberculosis, a disease associated with poverty, you should be able to provide
treatment for depression and other mental health problems associated with poverty.
Poverty and Mental Health Care Promoting mental health among the poor focuses on these initiatives:
• The provision of basic services in the community. Individuals who live in a community that is clean are more likely to be in better health. If, for example, you were playing an active role in improving sanitation in the community to reduce diarrhoeal diseases, this action would also help promote mental health.
• Promoting community networks and harmony. You may be especially well placed to provide social
networks at an individual level. For example, you may know of an elderly person who is living alone and is very unhappy. Nearby is a family comprising a single mother and two young children; she is finding it hard to cope with work and care for the children. You could suggest to these different people the possibility of supporting each other. For example, the elderly person may mind the children in the day, and the single mother may provide friendship and shared meals.
• Reduce levels of violence. Crime and violence are more common when there is greater inequality or when a community is divided along religious or ethnic lines. In such situations you should
collaborate closely with other community leaders and opinion makers on the need to build social harmony. This may involve:
• boycotting all forms of political action that divides people into groups;
• advocating equal treatment of all members of the community with the police, health and legal systems;
• identifying those politicians who are committed to a reduction in violence as the favoured candidates in local elections;
• sensitising police to dealing with complaints of violence in families.
• Improving economic opportunities for the community. You may not have much scope to influence the provision of new jobs or economic opportunities directly. However, keeping yourself well
informed of welfare and employment schemes or programmes will allow you to provide that information to those who might need it. For example, debt may be tackled by providing access
to small-scale loans through micro-credit schemes. You could encourage the local councillors or women’s groups to set up similar schemes. Your position as a health worker means that
your suggestions may be taken seriously.
• Poverty and Mental Health Care Providing effective care in the health centre. Be competent in detecting and treating common mental health problems. Never dismiss these as the natural consequence of poverty. Instead, treating mental illness will not only make people feel better, but will also provide them with the necessary strengths in thinking and feeling to come up with solutions for their problems.

Tags: Health, mental, Mental health, mental health care, poverty