[Effects on Health] Child poverty linked to mental health

from In The News

Children who have experienced poverty or other disadvantages are more likely to develop mental health problems, the British Medical Association (BMA) has claimed.

A report published today suggests that children coming from disadvantaged backgrounds are suffering from a number of mental health-related problems, including insomnia, unstable tempers and depressive and obsessive disorders.

Those who have witnessed domestic violence, been brought up in care or as asylum-seekers also face a heightened risk, the report argues.

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, head of BMA ethics and science, has highlighted the 45 per cent of children looked after by local authorities who have mental health issues.

"These children may have come from socially and economically deprived backgrounds, and are more likely to under-perform at school," she claims.

"Children from deprived backgrounds have a poorer start in life on many levels, but without good mental health they may not have a chance to develop emotionally and reach their full potential in life."

One reason for the link between poverty and mental health problem could originate from physiological rather than the more obvious environmental factors.

Today's report suggests that diet and physical exercise are both crucial elements to mental health – a link with poverty which correlates with the lower levels of concern about such matters among those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In response the report has called for renewed scientific research into these links, as well as for the government to improve the innovation and flexibility of the care services it provides.