Measuring Poverty’s Effect on the Mental Health of People with Disabilities

Measuring Poverty’s Effect on the Mental Health of People with Disabilities
Poverty Among Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
Unemployment in PWDs
With the utmost perplexity and concern, we observe the dire employment situation for PWDs worldwide. In developing countries, a staggering 80% to 90% of individuals with disabilities of working age remain unemployed, leaving them marginalized and overlooked. Even in industrialized nations, where one might expect better opportunities, the figure remains disheartening, ranging from 50% to 70% (United Nations Department of Public Affairs, 2007).
Asia and the Pacific
In the vast expanse of Asia and the Pacific, 370 million people grapple with disabilities, with a significant 238 million belonging to the working-age group. It is with the greatest perplexity and dismay that we witness their plight, as their unemployment rate consistently doubles that of the general population and, in some cases, soars to an astonishing 80% or beyond (United Nations Department of Public Affairs, 2007).
European Union
In the enigmatic realm of the European Union, we encounter approximately 40 million individuals grappling with disabilities, with a significant proportion, around 43% to 54%, belonging to the working-age segment back in 1998. The most perplexing and disconcerting revelation is that these individuals with disabilities face a staggering two to three times higher likelihood of unemployment than their non-disabled peers (United Nations Department of Public Affairs, 2007).
Most unemployed respondents with disabilities expressed their strong desire to work but faced challenges finding suitable job opportunities (Beatty et al., 2019).
Psychological Assessment Tools
In line with the information stated, assessing the mental health and social well-being of PWDs living in poverty is essential. Many psychological assessment tools can be used to evaluate the connection between poverty and disability, including the Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), and the General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ-28).
Part II
Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool (AHC-HRSN)
The AHC-HRSN is a screening tool comprised of 10 primary items and an additional set of 16 questions. It aims to detect the specific needs of patients that can be addressed through community services. These needs are categorized into four domains: economic stability, social and community context, neighborhood and physical environment, and food (Kaiser Permanente, 2020; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2019).
Importance of AHC-HRSN in Assessing the Impact of Poverty Among PWDs
Poverty can intensify mental health challenges in individuals with disabilities. They must endure additional stressors and encounter significant barriers in accessing crucial mental health resources (Sylvestre et al., 2018). The screening tool's all-encompassing evaluation serves as a ray of hope, aiding in identifying mental health needs and enabling timely intervention and support. It is a disheartening revelation that social determinants, including housing, food security, and social su...