Kids, Poverty and Mental Health

A child who lives in poverty is three times more likely to have a mental health problem. Reporter Denise Davy investigates why this happens and whats being done about it in a five part series.

Data released exclusively to CBC Hamilton shows that Hamilton children who live in low income neighbourhoods can be so impacted by poverty-related stressors early in their lives that it can affect their ability to learn in school.

The data shows the rate of impacts in various developmental areas can be as much as 10 times higher in the citys low income neighbourhoods compared to it's most wealthy ones.

The data, when combined with a McMaster University study that shows children living in poverty suffer from more mental health problems, illustrates the often devastating impact poverty can have on a childs mental health and well being.

Living in poverty is incredibly stressful, said Michele Bates, mental health lead for theHamilton-WentworthDistrict School Board.

What does that do to a childs sense of safety and well-being on a veryfoundationallevel? I think its a tremendous stress and strain. The burden is tremendous.

Live chat excerpt replay

Click on the play button above for an excerpt from Friday afternoon's live chat.

Davys research was supported with a journalism fellowship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Read more here:

• Why kids in poverty are at higher risk to developing mental health problems
• Kids, Poverty and Mental Health: How Hamilton schools reach kids

• Kids, Poverty and Mental Health: Anxiety a growing problem

• Children of war: Healing immigrant and refugee children

• Kids, Poverty and Mental Health: Building community solutions