Socioeconomic and Geographical Inequalities in Mental Health Combining Social and Health Sector Perspectives

Abstract

Through personal observations and discussion with both practitioners and administrators, I developed an informed perspective on many of the issues that exist at the intersection of poverty and mental health. At the conclusion of the summer, I provided a report summarizing my brief, summer-long foray into mental health and concluded the document with a suggested framework for improving and expanding the FFC pro-bono mental health program. The ideas in this paper are mainly the product of intensive research into the relationship between mental health and poverty; however, my personal field-work experiences at both FFC and subsequently Rockbridge Area Free Clinic (RAFC) originally motivated and continue to inform this writing. [From introductory section]