Doubly Disadvantaged: Investigating Mental Health and Poverty

This policy paper posits that poor mental health and poverty are synonymous; in order to combat deepening inequality within our society, it is necessary for the government to execute more inclusive welfare programmes, which will require a more precise definition of mental illness. The paper lays out the state of Malaysia’s current mental health and its correlation to poverty, thus highlighting the importance of measures to improve mental health to more effectively combat inequality between race and class. This is the only way to achieve more sustainable development throughout the country. Problems in Malaysia on mental health and poverty include a lack of awareness and a stigma towards mental illness among the general public, as well as a lack of accessible and affordable mental healthcare specialists and practitioners.

Publication Date: 
2017