The relationship between mental health and poverty in low- and middle-income countries

This chapter explores how, in the context of poverty, with limited economic resources for health and social and educational programming, a situation is created in which large segments of the population are at risk of developing a mental health problem. Much of the understanding of the relationship between poverty and mental health problems is couched in the two opposing hypotheses of social causation and social selection. To understand the impact of poverty on health outcomes, many researchers have moved to multi-dimensional conceptualisations of poverty that emphasise deprivation rather than solely monetary indicators. Mental health is negatively affected when general physical health services are not available or are limited and of questionable quality, as is common in many low- or middle-income countries (LMIC). The association between poverty and mental health may be particularly pronounced for women, often already vulnerable to higher rates of discrimination in terms of education and access to employment, particularly in LMICs.