Children and Mental Health
Research suggests that family income affects the mental health of children (Kuruvilla, 2007). Children that come from low income families tend to have higher rates of depression, cheating, and anti-social behaviour such as bullying, telling lies and breaking things (Kuruvilla, 2007). If the family is chronically poor, a child has an increased tendency to have a lower cognitive performance (Kuruvilla, 2007). As they reach adolescence they are more likely to engage in drug and alcohol use and have an increase in mental health problems (Kuruvilla, 2007). The changes in that family due to low socio-economic status is linked to behaviours such as aggression, hyperactivity, and anxiety (Kuruvilla, 2007). Living in a household where poverty is an issue, …show more content…
This policy indicates that common mental illnesses are twice as likely with people that are living in poverty (WHO, 2007). People with the lowest socio-economic statuses are eight times more at risk for developing schizophrenia than those with a higher socio-economic status (WHO, 2007). It is surprizing to hear such high numbers but not much being done about it. Only two percent of the national health budget goes to mental health (WHO, 2007). As well 31% of countries have no specific budget for mental health. The WHO suggests mental health needs that must be addressed to a breakthrough poverty (2007). The first is to reduce child morbidity. Children are five times more likely to be underweight and have stunted growth when their mothers are depressed (WHO, 2007). Addressing the mental health of the women of childbearing age would greatly decrease child morbidity as well as decreasing maternal morbidity (WHO, 2007). The leading cause of death in maternal women is suicide due to depression (WHO, 2007). People with mental health issues must receive help in order to reduce poverty (WHO,
Research suggests that family income affects the mental health of children (Kuruvilla, 2007). Children that come from low income families tend to have higher rates of depression, cheating, and anti-social behaviour such as bullying, telling lies and breaking things (Kuruvilla, 2007). If the family is chronically poor, a child has an increased tendency to have a lower cognitive performance (Kuruvilla, 2007). As they reach adolescence they are more likely to engage in drug and alcohol use and have an increase in mental health problems (Kuruvilla, 2007). The changes in that family due to low socio-economic status is linked to behaviours such as aggression, hyperactivity, and anxiety (Kuruvilla, 2007). Living in a household where poverty is an issue, …show more content…
This policy indicates that common mental illnesses are twice as likely with people that are living in poverty (WHO, 2007). People with the lowest socio-economic statuses are eight times more at risk for developing schizophrenia than those with a higher socio-economic status (WHO, 2007). It is surprizing to hear such high numbers but not much being done about it. Only two percent of the national health budget goes to mental health (WHO, 2007). As well 31% of countries have no specific budget for mental health. The WHO suggests mental health needs that must be addressed to a breakthrough poverty (2007). The first is to reduce child morbidity. Children are five times more likely to be underweight and have stunted growth when their mothers are depressed (WHO, 2007). Addressing the mental health of the women of childbearing age would greatly decrease child morbidity as well as decreasing maternal morbidity (WHO, 2007). The leading cause of death in maternal women is suicide due to depression (WHO, 2007). People with mental health issues must receive help in order to reduce poverty (WHO,