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Social Determinants of Mental Health

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Global Mental Health

Abstract

Determinants of mental health include not only personal attributes but also social, economic, cultural, political, environmental and other factors. Social determinants of mental health (SDMH) are those conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age that impact health and well-being, and the health systems that they can access, which are shaped by economic, social, environmental policies, and politics. Poverty, low educational level, gender discrimination, unhealthy lifestyle, violence, physical ill-health, unemployment, social exclusion and human rights violations are recognized factors associated with poor mental health. A multilevel framework that includes life-course approach across life stages, community- and country-level contexts have been proposed. Gender differences were found; mental disorders affect more deeply females compared to males at every level of household income. The delivery of an SDMH approach requires action across multiple sectors including education, health, welfare, transport and housing. Mental health is a business of all, and participation of government, social institutions, community and service providers are required.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology Department, Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth road, IV2 3UJ, Inverness, UK

    Francisco Javier Carod-Artal

  2. Health Science Faculty, International University of Catalonia (UIC), Carrer de la Immaculada, 22, 08017, Barcelona, Spain

    Francisco Javier Carod-Artal

Authors
  1. Francisco Javier Carod-Artal
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Correspondence to Francisco Javier Carod-Artal .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dr. Bährer-Kohler & Partners, Basel, Switzerland

    Sabine Bährer-Kohler

  2. International University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain

    Francisco Javier Carod-Artal

Take Away Messages

Take Away Messages

  • Mental health and mental disorders are shaped by social, economic and environmental factors.

  • Gender is an important determinant in mental health. Gender has a deep impact on access to care, and mediates the influence of socioeconomic factors on it. Females suffer disproportionally from mental disorders at each level of social and economic level.

  • Poverty and social inequalities are linked with poor mental health and increased risk of mental disorders.

  • A life-course approach across life stages is proposed.

  • Policies that reduce social inequalities and stimulate actions to improve conditions of daily living from before birth, early childhood , family-building, working and older ages may improve mental health of the individuals and reduce mental disorder risk.

  • Effective actions to reduce mental disorders throughout life course are needed at community and country levels.

  • Monitoring of policies is needed.

  • Mental health needs to be give priority especially in developing countries.

  • WHO-EQuAL project is an example of monitoring progress towards universal health coverage analysing specific SDMH.

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Carod-Artal, F.J. (2017). Social Determinants of Mental Health. In: Bährer-Kohler, S., Carod-Artal, F. (eds) Global Mental Health . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59123-0_4

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