Poverty, economic inequality and mental health

Site Admin • 14 October 2022
sad man

all credits: Centre for Mental Health
first published: 26 July 2022

The Covid-19 pandemic is being accompanied by a substantial rise in demand for mental health services. Whilst investment in mental health services is vital, it is also necessary to tackle the factors that cause and worsen mental ill health in the first place.

Poverty, economic inequality and mental health, by Ed Davie, explores evidence about the links between these factors, showing that living in poverty increases people’s risk of mental health difficulties, and that more unequal societies have higher overall levels of mental ill health. The briefing also demonstrates that poverty and economic inequality intersect with structural racism to undermine the mental health of racialised and marginalised groups in society.


The evidence is clear that poverty, deprivation and economic inequality are toxic to mental and physical health. Policy makers need to prioritise reducing them as an urgent public health necessity.


The briefing calls for concerted and concrete actions to improve mental health by increasing the incomes and reducing the costs of the poorest people in society. These include increasing benefits and paying the Living Wage, help with housing and childcare costs for the least well-off, and improving access to vital services in the most deprived areas.


Read original article here >

Distressed man
by Site Admin 11 May 2025
The chair of England's first public inquiry into mental health deaths vowed to "seek out the truth" - despite difficulties getting documents from the NHS.
People at a conference
by Admin Team 11 May 2025
The Power of Us conference was a step forward, but it is only one step in a much larger journey. The hope is that we continue to challenge and think critically about inclusion and equity.
a woman gazing forward
by Admin Team 11 May 2025
Over the past 12 months, we've had over 200 conversations with Black carers, patients and users of mental health services about the things that matter to them when receiving services.
Man walking through a door
by Site Admin 11 May 2025
Catalyst 4 Change is proud to serve as the lead and accountable organisation for the Pathways to Independence project, delivered in partnership with a range of community-led organisations.
More posts