Single-parent status, responsibility for young children, social isolation, and lack of social supports are all related to depression, as well as to poverty. Analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth showed that almost 90 percent of current welfare recipients between the ages of 27 and 35 experience one of five powerful barriers to employment. These include low basic skills, substance abuse, a health limitation, depression, or a child with a chronic medical condition or serious disability. Others have also documented the high level of distress affecting women on welfare. Twice as many AFDC recipients sought help from general medical, specialized, and human services sources than did those not on assistance.
Health plans offered by employers tend to underfund mental health benefits.
This is true as well of medicaid plans, which limit care and are often associated with poorer care. Health care provided to poor women needs to address the critical issue of depression and other mental health concerns, as well as such obstacles to care as lack of child care and lack of transportation. The health status of children is inextricably woven into the fabric of their lives, especially the well-being of their primary caretakers. All health clinicians need training to increase awareness of abuse and assault and their link with physical and mental health consequences. States should encourage and develop partnerships among health and mental health professionals to coordinate comprehensive responses.