A new study has indicated that people with lower incomes
(less than US $ 20,000) are more likely to suffer from mental illness as
compared to people who are making more money (more than US $ 70,000).
Researchers linked a decrease in income with increased risk of anxiety,
depression, substance abuse and mood disorders. The study suggests that this
low income group should be targeted to treat and prevent mental illness.
Researchers at the University of Manitoba in Canada analyzed data from
nearly 35,000 adults aged 20-years and older. These participants were
interviewed twice, three years apart. The research showed that people with low
incomes especially had high rates of suicide attempts, mood disorders and
personality disorders than those with higher incomes. But the study did
not prove that poverty or a drop in income causes mental illness.
The findings are published in the March issue of the Archives of Psychiatry.