Low Income and Its Impact on Mental Health

Poverty has extensive effects on personal relationships, can be traumatic, and leads to physical health issues. Low income significantly impacts mental health beyond affecting an individual's ability to obtain consistent access to food, safe shelter, and basic needs.

Understanding the Impact of Low Income on Mental Health

Mental health encompasses more than just psychological and emotional well-being. Physical health, social connections, and access to education all play important roles in promoting mental well-being.

Food Insecurity

Nutrition is a key component of mental health, serving as a powerful intervention and preventive measure for mental health issues. However, those experiencing poverty often suffer from hunger and consume a diet lacking essential nutrients.

Addressing Food Insecurity

If you face food insecurity, resources are available to assist you. Contact your local social services office to apply for public food assistance. These government-funded benefits are widely accepted at farmers' markets and health food stores, ensuring access to healthy options.

Exploring local community-supported agriculture (CSA) organizations that offer boxes filled with fresh produce at a sliding scale rate can also be beneficial.

Other resources include:

• Local food banks, many of which may provide assistance regardless of income
• WIC, a program for parents with young children
• School-connected programs may be available for those with children in K-12
• Local United Ways and the 211 website can connect people to agencies that offer assistance with food assistance.

Community Violence

Some impoverished communities may experience high rates of crime and violence, which is linked to adverse mental health outcomes. Engaging in survival-based criminal activities or witnessing violence can be traumatic. Repetitive exposure to trauma, common in low-income communities, can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

School-to-Prison Pipeline

The school-to-prison pipeline refers to the ways in which school discipline can lead to strained family relationships, increased risk of dropping out of school, and ultimately a higher likelihood of incarceration. Statistics show that students of color, those with disabilities, and children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more vulnerable to the school-to-prison pipeline.

Suspension and Expulsion

Lower socioeconomic status is associated with a higher risk of suspension or expulsion from school. While research is ongoing to determine the exact reasons for this correlation, it is suggested that students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face more stressors and disadvantages compared to their peers from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

These stressors can manifest in externalizing behavior as a result of the immense stress associated with a lower socioeconomic status. For instance, food insecurity may affect a child's ability to focus in class, and school personnel may not be equipped to recognize this as a mental health issue, opting instead for disciplinary measures like suspension.

Suspension and expulsion can lead to a lack of connection and negative mental health outcomes. Moreover, students who frequently experience depression are more likely to be suspended, possibly due to the ways in which children and adolescents may express anger, such as through defiance or withdrawal from others.

Unless they have received adequate training, mental health professionals and school personnel may overlook behavioral issues as symptoms of depression or other mental health conditions, resorting to oppressive discipline practices like suspension.

Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Care

Financial constraints pose significant barriers to accessing mental health care for individuals with low income. Therapy can be expensive, with the average monthly out-of-pocket cost for mental health care being $178. While avenues for subsidized or free mental health care exist, a lack of mainstream knowledge about these resources can create an additional barrier. Specific financial barriers and stressors can include:

• Lack of transportation to appointments
• Inability of parents to take time off work
• Older children having to care for younger siblings
• Teenagers having to work to support their families

Stigma is another barrier to accessing care. Self-stigma, referring to internalized negative beliefs about oneself due to mental illness, can be particularly problematic in accessing adequate mental health care. This can lead to feelings of disempowerment, decreased quality of life, and a failure to seek proper treatment.

Accessing Affordable Mental Health Treatment

No one should have to go without mental health care due to financial limitations. Furthermore, the stressors associated with being unable to meet basic needs due to income restrictions further contribute to mental health strain. Fortunately, there are options to receive affordable mental health treatment:

• Community mental health centers: These government-funded facilities offer a range of mental health services, including therapy, medication, and case management. They often offer services on a sliding scale based on income.
• Telehealth: Online and telephone therapy can be more affordable and accessible than in-person therapy.
• Low-cost counseling centers: Some colleges and universities offer low-cost counseling services to the public.
• Sliding scale clinics: Many private mental health clinics offer services on a sliding scale, meaning that the cost of services is based on your income.
• Insurance: If you have health insurance, your mental health care may be covered. Check with your insurance company to find out what your coverage is.

Seeking Assistance

If you are struggling with your mental health and are concerned about the cost of treatment, there are resources available to help you. Don't hesitate to reach out for assistance.