Poverty and mental health

doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7486.307-b

BMJ 2005;330:307 (5 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7486.307-b

Filler

Q&A

Poverty and mental health

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Are there any recent articles or documents on the effect thatpoverty has on an individual's mental health? (For my dissertation.)

Katy J Booth, student

Leeds

In your literature search you may find it helpful to begin withtwo authors at the Institute of Psychiatry in London—RobertGoodman (for child mental health) and Graham Thornicroft (foradults).

The most observable effects of deprivation may be with childrenunder 11 years old,¹ but it is important to consider that thechild who experiences poverty may also experience other lifeadversities.² Led by the economist Martin Knapp, a team at the"health observatory" is currently studying mental health policyand practice across Europe. This study includes the influenceof factors such as housing, poverty, employment, and socialjustice. Poverty at a national level can affect individuals,³and the UK social exclusion unit has been interested recentlyin community effects on mental health, such as in relation to. . . [Full text of this article]