the cycle of poverty and blocking access to resources required to support themselves (Canadian Mental Health Associations, 2017).
Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services While Living in Poverty
The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Framework for Support document asserts that income, education, housing, and work are crucial to the recovery of an individual with a serious mental illness (Canadian Mental Health Associations, 2017). Individuals with mental illness comprise 30-35% of homeless Canadians and an alarming 75% of women experiencing homelessness suffer from mental illnesses (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2017). People with severe mental illnesses are more likely to experience homelessness, as they are often released from …show more content…
Clients living in poverty face common stressors including economic strain, family conflict, exposure to violence, discrimination, and trauma (Kaltman et al., 2012). Kaltman, Miranda and Santiago (2012) indicate, “Barriers associated with the stress of poverty often prevent utilization of services and are predictive of poor engagement and retention in mental health services” (p.4). Frequently cited barriers include transportation, finances, and childcare (Kaltman et al., 2012). Traditional healthcare settings are often perceived with mistrust, stemming from historical persecution of low-income, ethnic minority individuals and those with mental illness (Kaltman et al., 2012). Treatment and utilization of mental health services is negatively affected due to therapists’ beliefs, biases, and a lack of cultural competence (Kaltman et al., 2012). Anakwenze and Zuberi (2013) highlight that “…one explanation for the large gap between mental health care need and treatment participation in impoverished communities is that there is a mistrust of outsiders, including many of the people providing mental health care or conducting research”
Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Services While Living in Poverty
The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Framework for Support document asserts that income, education, housing, and work are crucial to the recovery of an individual with a serious mental illness (Canadian Mental Health Associations, 2017). Individuals with mental illness comprise 30-35% of homeless Canadians and an alarming 75% of women experiencing homelessness suffer from mental illnesses (Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, 2017). People with severe mental illnesses are more likely to experience homelessness, as they are often released from …show more content…
Clients living in poverty face common stressors including economic strain, family conflict, exposure to violence, discrimination, and trauma (Kaltman et al., 2012). Kaltman, Miranda and Santiago (2012) indicate, “Barriers associated with the stress of poverty often prevent utilization of services and are predictive of poor engagement and retention in mental health services” (p.4). Frequently cited barriers include transportation, finances, and childcare (Kaltman et al., 2012). Traditional healthcare settings are often perceived with mistrust, stemming from historical persecution of low-income, ethnic minority individuals and those with mental illness (Kaltman et al., 2012). Treatment and utilization of mental health services is negatively affected due to therapists’ beliefs, biases, and a lack of cultural competence (Kaltman et al., 2012). Anakwenze and Zuberi (2013) highlight that “…one explanation for the large gap between mental health care need and treatment participation in impoverished communities is that there is a mistrust of outsiders, including many of the people providing mental health care or conducting research”