This briefing report presents evidence on the relationship between poverty and mental health, and how our mental health is shaped by the wide-ranging characteristics of the social, economic, and physical environments in which we live.
Poverty is both a cause of mental health problems and a consequence. Financial hardship brings stress, shame and trauma that can trigger mental health problems, while mental health struggles can make it harder to work, earn money and maintain relationships, pushing people deeper into poverty.
Read our briefing report to understand more about the links between poverty and mental health, and what policy measures can be introduced to reduce poverty and improve mental health.
Last update: July 2025
Key statistics on poverty and mental health
Poverty is both a cause of mental health problems and a consequence. Below, we include some of the key statistics on poverty and mental health:
- More than 1 in 5 people in the UK (21%) were in poverty in 2023/24 - 14.3 million people.1
- There are several groups that are at larger risk of poverty including large families, people from minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and renters.2
- Social determinants, including a person's financial and childhood circumstances, account for over 50% of health outcomes.3
- Children from the poorest 20% of households are four times as likely to have serious mental health difficulties by the age of 11 compared to those from the wealthiest 20%.4
- People in the 10% most deprived communities are nearly four times as likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act.5
- Living on a low income can lead to various forms of mistreatment, rejection, and exclusion from other people as well as institutions such as social security services.6
- If you experience poverty, you are much more likely to experience a mental health problem; it will have a greater impact upon your life, you will experience greater poverty and mental health stigma; your access to healthcare and social support will be worse; and this will reduce your chances of recovery.
Our recommendations
Our policy and practice recommendations for tackling poverty and improving mental health come under these main areas. Read our recommendations in the report.
1. Ensuring everyone has an income that allows them to lead a dignified life.
2. Tackling child poverty.
3. Improve workplaces.
Authors:
Mike Hough (Senior Public Affairs Officer, Mental Health Foundation)
Lee Knifton (Director of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Mental Health Foundation).
Andrew Wenham (Senior Analyst, Joseph Rowntree Foundation).
The Mental Health Foundation would like to thank the following for reviewing the report
- Julie Cameron (Associate Director, Devolved Nations, Mental Health Foundation).
- Oliver Chantler (Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Mental Health Foundation).
- Isaac Barnswell (Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Mental Health Foundation).
- Shari McDaid (Independent mental health consultant).
- Peter Matejic (Chief Policy Analyst, Joseph Rowntree Foundation).
- Iain Porter (Senior Policy Analyst, Joseph Rowntree Foundation).
- Kristyna Steflova (Senior Campaigns Officer, Joseph Rowntree Foundation).
[1] Joseph Rowntree Foundation. UK Poverty 2025. Joseph Rowntree Foundation; January, 2025. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://www.jrf.org.uk/uk-poverty-2025-the-essential-guide-to-understanding-poverty-in-the-uk
[2] Joseph Rowntree Foundation. UK Poverty 2025. Joseph Rowntree Foundation; January, 2025. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://www.jrf.org.uk/uk-poverty-2025-the-essential-guide-to-understanding-poverty-in-the-uk
[3] Davie E. A Mentally Healthier Nation. Centre for Mental Health; October, 2023. Accessed June 9, 2025. https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/publications/mentally-healthier-nation
[4] Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition, Save The Children, Centre for Mental Health. A Dual Crisis: The Hidden Link Between Poverty and Children’s Mental Health. Centre for Mental Health; July, 2024. Accessed May 21, 2025. https://cypmhc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-Dual-Crisis.-Parliamentary-briefing-.pdf
[5] NHS Digital. NHS Digital Annual Report and Accounts 2022 to 2023. NHS Digital; September, 2023. Accessed June 6, 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-digital-annual-report-and-accounts-2022-to-2023
[6] Inglis G, Jenkins P, McHardy F, Sosu E, Wilson C. Poverty stigma, mental health, and well-being: a rapid review and synthesis of quantitative and qualitative research. J Community Appl Soc Psychol. 2022;33(4):783–806. doi:10.1002/casp.2677
