Mental health inequality

Mental health inequality refers to the unequal distribution of mental health care quality, accessibility, and outcomes among social, economic, and demographic groups. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people are affected with depressive disorders. Mental health can be defined as an individual's well-being and/or the absence of clinically defined mental illness. Inequalities that can occur in mental healthcare may include mental health status, access to and quality of care, and mental health outcomes, which may differ across populations of different race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sex, gender, socioeconomic statuses, education level, and geographic location. Social determinants of health, more specifically the social determinants of mental health, that can influence an individual's susceptibility to developing mental disorders and illnesses include, but are not limited to, economic status, education level, demographics, geographic location and genetics. Mental health inequalities can be addressed through changes in healthcare policies, culturally responsive mental health interventions, adjunctive therapeutic interventions, and telemedicine.

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