It is important to know what impacts mental health in today’s time. One such factor is socioeconomic status (SES), which describes a person’s social and economic standing, as well as their position in life, based on factors such as income, education, and occupation. To better understand the relationship between SES and depression, one has to know how financial security, availability of resources, and societal discrimination affect mental health, specifically the onset of depression.
To start with, it’s crucial to understand the definition of socioeconomic status. Income, education, and occupational prestige are three typical components in most SES measures. Income affects what people and families have to work with, and education affects job options, work environment, and health IQ. The interaction of these factors also determines an individual’s social conditions, their health, and quality of life. There is overwhelming evidence that the people who have higher SES are more likely to be healthier physically and mentally than those of poor socioeconomic status.
SES is a key determinant of health, as it can have direct effects on individual health. Individuals from lower SES backgrounds are commonly exposed to various adversities, including financial hardship, poor housing, and poorer access to good-quality healthcare. That kind of thing can create stress and a reluctance to seek help for mental health. Hence, those from lower SES are statistically more prone to depression compared with those from higher SES.
The relationship between socioeconomic status and mental health, especially depression, is complicated. Instability in finances can result in chronic stress, bringing negative impact on mental wellbeing. It’s hard to be emotionally healthy if you’re concerned about paying the bills. Additionally, you may not be able to afford professional assistance. Mental health care can be costly and less accessible in low-income areas. This means that it can lead to individuals being left with untreated mental health conditions, such as depression, which worsens the problem.
There is also stigma attached to mental health in lower SES communities. It’s not uncommon for individuals to feel a sense of embarrassment or shame about having depression, and they may worry that others will judge them because of it. A lack of resources can intensify this sense of shame, and people isolate themselves rather than seeking help. Several high-profile individuals have dedicated their time to ending the stigma surrounding mental health, such as Taraji P. Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. This group aims to destigmatize mental health in Black communities.
Overcoming these obstacles is possible with targeted mental health interventions that are tailored to the lower SES populations. Education and awareness outreach programs can play a part in destigmatizing mental illness and encouraging those who need it to get help. These communities need access to affordable mental health resources and support.
It is a powerful approach to address the fact that a strength-based empowerment of the individual and community can lessen discrepancies in mental health associated with SES. Through forming networks of community support, people are provided with encouragement and resources to address their mental health. It is nice to see that there are parental education programs and resources offered for mental health. These programs and resources can help create positive atmospheres to help lower the chances of children developing depressive symptoms. Workshops and support groups can be safe havens, allowing participants to open up about their experiences in a supportive community and receive help.
Education and knowledge are critical to reducing the stigma of depression. Enhancing mental health literacy can create more informed and supportive communities for individuals with mental health concerns. It is also valuable to see mental health education being integrated into the school curriculum. This initiative enables students to understand the importance of mental health and to gain psychological fitness. Social and emotional learning programs are also useful in developing school cultures centered on the empathy and support of students to encourage a caring community around those with mental health challenges and to help reduce the feeling of isolation.
Offering valuable services on this matter, Arbor Wellness in Las Vegas thrives. The clinic ensures that everyone can access mental health treatment, especially those with limited financial resources. They provide therapy, counseling, and various educational opportunities that cover aspects of mental health. Arbor Wellness stands out by breaking down the stigmas related to mental health and creating a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through the door. By offering easy access to quality care, this warm and welcoming facility encourages more people to seek the help they need, fostering empathy and a sense of community support. Arbor Wellness also takes on a central role within the daily lives of the clients while simultaneously giving them “control” over their destiny. Arbor Wellness also produces informative blogs, aiming to raise awareness about mental health and the resources available to those in need of help.
Money problems can really impact depression in many ways; it is significant and multifactorial. Knowing how mental wellbeing and money are linked can guide us to break down those walls for people in poorer areas. If we teach more, beat stigma, and create smart mental health plans, we can push people and whole areas to reach better mental states. Places such as Arbor Wellness go a long way in pushing for and seeking answers that will drive for everyone to be included and feel good. If we know more and judge less, we can look forward to a time when mental health help is available to everyone regardless of income.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socioeconomic_status
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of-health#tab=tab_1
https://www.apa.org/topics/socioeconomic-status
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2005/03/low-ses
https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/ort-7513.pdf
https://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/education
https://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/children-families
https://www.granthalliburton.org/forparents
https://open.library.okstate.edu/interculturalcommunication/chapter/the-impacts-of-social-class/
https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/mental-health-literacy
https://mhanational.org/resources/parenting-with-a-mental-health-condition/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6415852/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8806009/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9222847/
https://cosancadd.org/increase-students-mental-health-literacy/
https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/stigma/index.html
https://usafacts.org/articles/how-does-poverty-affect-peoples-mental-and-physical-health/
https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/stress/coping-with-financial-stress
https://www.uwyo.edu/uwe/programs/money/saving-investing/money-matter-and-steps-to-defeat-depression.html
https://psychcentral.com/depression/side-effects-of-untreated-depression-what-to-look-for
https://borislhensonfoundation.org/about-blhf/
https://time.com/6966650/money-stress-illness/
