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Mental Health Foundation report on Experiences of Poverty Stigma and Mental Health in the UK

  • Area of Work: Policy and Research
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 18th June 2024
Three cartoon women, one in a wheelchair, gathered around report graphics on the wall discussing the findings.

Mental Health Foundation has published a joint report on Experiences of Poverty Stigma and Mental Health in the UK.

With University of West Scotland, University of Strathclyde and the Poverty Alliance, the Mental Health Foundation has published a joint report on their research looking at Experiences of Poverty Stigma and Mental Health in the UK.

More than 14 million people in the United Kingdom (UK) are currently living in poverty, and the number of people experiencing deep poverty is increasing. Poverty is a major cause of physical and mental ill-health. This is because people living in poverty are more likely to experience stressful situations such as financial instability, inadequate housing and food insecurity that lead to anxiety and depression.

Building on existing research, this report addresses the following questions:

  1. Which groups are more likely to experience poverty stigma?
  2. Are particular types of of service use associated with higher levels of poverty stigma?
  3. Which forms of poverty stigma are most strongly associated with mental health outcomes?

From surveying 1000 adults living in the UK, the team found that:

  • 1 in 5 participants reported that they had often experienced discirmination or unfair treatment over the past year because they live on a low income.
  • 82% of respondents believe thta people on low incomes experience at least one type of structural stigma

The report also provides recommendations for policy and practice to challenge poverty stigma and improve outcomes for people living in poverty across the UK.

You can read the full report here.

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